WO2012072967A1

WO2012072967A1 - Networked messaging system

Info

Publication number: WO2012072967A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/002229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Saar Cohen
Original assignee: Saar Cohen
Priority date: 2010-12-03
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2012-06-07

Abstract

A networked messaging system comprises at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal connected to the server over the network. The server stores at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data, and processes a messaging application. The messaging application is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal, to store user input data, and to broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal. The server distributes a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein. The user interface at the or each client terminal is further adapted to input user input data indicative of stored resource data stored in the at least one database, and the messaging application is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data. A method and a set of instructions are also provided in connection with the above.

Description

NETWORKED MESSAGING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved messaging system. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an improved user interface for electronic messaging systems distributed across one or more networks.

Background to the Invention

Many systems are known with which users of network - connected terminals can interact by exchanging data messages and data resources with one another.

Such systems were originally known as bulletin board systems or electronic mailing lists, and were distributed between terminals of participating users by way of dial-up modems coupled to telephone networks. The advent of Wide Area Networks and standardised data communication protocols, for instance the Internet, has increased their use and such systems are now commonly referred to as "Internet Forums".

Internet Forums are distributed applications available in a variety of server- side programming languages, for instance Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and Active Server Pages (ASP), and are processed by one or more server terminals which receive, store and broadcast data content respectively generated by thousands of user terminals, respectively connected to the one or more server terminals across one or more networks on an ad hoc basis.

Internet Forums are used to hold virtual conversations, commonly known as threads, between users about any topic of particular interest to them, wherein users input conversation data about the topic at their terminal, typically sequences of alphanumerical characters constructing sentences, and broadcast same to the one or more servers. Such broadcasts, or uploads, are commonly known as posts, and the one or more servers receive and store these posts. The one or more servers then broadcast the posts to other users as and when these other users connect to the one or more servers and consult the thread for any update since their last connection or visit thereto. The virtual conversation is therefore persistent, regardless of whether participating users remain connected to the one or more severs or not, and is performed as an asynchronous dialogue, wherein posts are traditionally displayed in a thread in chronological order of receipt by the one or more servers.

The persistent nature of Internet Forums is proving particularly useful for users in need of technical assistance, for instance about the configuration, use, troubleshooting or repair of devices ranging from personal computers to motor vehicles or even washing machines, since they can request technical support from other users, for instance from technical staff on the device manufacturer's own Internet Forum, and consult posts in reply containing technical support data during the configuration, use, troubleshooting or repair of a device as often and/or as long as needed.

In the above context, the growing ubiquity of the Internet as a communications network has resulted in an ever-vaster array of terminal types apt to connect thereto and to exchange data therewith. Portable and non - portable personal computers, still mostly used to access and interact with Wide Area Networks including the Internet, have since been joined, in terms of networking functionality and capacity, by a range of further and very diverse portable and non - portable networking terminals ranging from mobile telephone handsets and tablet - format personal computers to personal media playing devices, more recently silver goods such as televisions and physical media players, and even white goods such as fridges.

A common disadvantage featured by most of these recent types of networkable terminals, is the absence of a distinct keyboard or keypad for inputting alphanumerical user data, including user conversation data on Internet Forums. Non - portable terminals such as televisions, physical media players and the like do not include keyboards or keypads as alphanumerical input has not historically been a desirable or useful function whereas, for portable terminals, gestural interfaces, most commonly touch screen interfaces, are increasingly preferred for balancing the opposing requirements of device miniaturisation for portability and visual display size maximisation for usability.

Thus, whilst Internet Forums are increasing in popularity, the growing array of devices apt to access them, paradoxically more ubiquitously than ever in the case of wireless networking devices, only provide a cumbersome interface for their use. A solution is therefore required for facilitating user input and interaction with such networked messaging systems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a networked messaging system is provided, which comprises at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal connected to the server over the network. The server stores at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processes a messaging application. The messaging application is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal, store user input data, and broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal. The server distributes a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein. The networked messaging system is characterised in that the user interface at the or each client terminal is further adapted to input user input data indicative of resource data stored in the at least one database, and in that the messaging application is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data.

The messaging application is preferably an electronic bulletin board or an Internet Forum. The user interface is preferably adapted by including a contextual menu for selecting resource data. The contextual menu may be any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising an icon, a group of icons, a file shortcut, a group of file shortcuts, a file thumbnail, a group of file thumbnails, a file system representation, a pop-up menu and a drop-down menu.

The contextual menu may advantageously comprise at least two icons structured for sequential selection of a resource data theme and a resource data format, wherein at least a first icon is associated with a resource data theme and at least the second icon is associated with a resource data format.

Alternatively, the contextual menu comprises a plurality of icons structured for sequential selection of a resource data theme and a resource data format, at least some of the icons being associated with a respective resource data theme and the remaining icons are associated with a respective resource data format.

Alternatively still, the contextual menu is a drop-down menu of entries, wherein each entry is associated with a resource data format. The resource data may be any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data. The alphanumerical data is preferably formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page. The audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data is preferably compressed as an archive file.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of communicating in a network messaging system comprising at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal is provided, which comprises the steps of storing at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processing a messaging application at the at least one server; receiving data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal and storing user input data at the at least one server; broadcasting requested data to the or each user client terminal from the at least one server; distributing a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; and the method is characterised in that it comprises the further steps of inputting, at the or each one user client terminal, user input data indicative of resource data stored in the at least one database; and processing received user input data as a data request for resource data. The method preferably comprises the further steps of providing a contextual menu in the user interface and selecting resource data in or with the contextual menu.

The step of selecting resource data preferably comprises the further step of selecting any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising an icon, a group of icons, a file shortcut, a group of file shortcuts, a file thumbnail, a group of file thumbnails, a file system representation, a pop-up menu and a drop-down menu. Alternatively, the step of selecting resource data may comprise the further step of sequentially selecting at least two icons, wherein at least a first icon is associated with a resource data theme and at least the second icon is associated with a resource data format. Alternatively still, the step of selecting resource data may comprise the further step of sequentially selecting a plurality of icons, at least some of the icons being associated with a respective resource data theme and the remaining icons are associated with a respective resource data format. The contextual menu may be a drop-down menu of entries, each entry being associated with a resource data format, whereby the step of selecting resource data may comprise the further step of selecting an entry in the menu. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a networked messaging system is provided, which comprises at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal connected to the server over the network. The server stores at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processes a messaging application. The messaging application is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal, store user input data, and broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal. The server distributes a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein. The networked messaging system is characterised in that the messaging application is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data, match the data request with stored resource data, and generate a response to the received user input data including the matched stored resourced data.

The messaging application preferably processes user input data with a parser for identifying semantic strings of alphanumerical characters. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of communicating in a network messaging system comprising at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal is provided, which comprises the steps of storing at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processing a messaging application at the at least one server, receiving data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal and storing user input data at the at least one server, broadcasting requested data to the or each user client terminal from the at least one server distributing a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; and the method is characterised in that it comprises the further steps of processing received user input data as a data request for resource data; matching the data request with stored resource data; and generating a response to the received user input data including the matched stored resourced data.

The step of processing received user input data preferably comprises the further steps of parsing the user input data and identifying semantic strings of alphanumerical characters.

In the above systems and methods, the resource data may be any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data.

The alphanumerical data is preferably formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page.

The above methods preferably each comprises the further step of compressing the audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data as an archive file. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a set of instructions is provided, which is recorded on a carrier for, or stored in a memory of, a programmable networked data processing terminal which, when processed by processing means of the data processing terminal, causes the networked data processing terminal to perform the steps according to the methods substantially as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a networked environment in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented, including a plurality of communication devices and servers.

Figure 2 shows a hardware structure of a user terminal shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a hardware structure of a server terminal shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates a prior art user interface of a network messaging application.

Figure 5 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with the prior art user interface of Figure 4. Figure 6 illustrates a first prior art user input interface of a network messaging application.

Figure 7 illustrates a second prior art user input interface of a network messaging application.

Figure 8 illustrates a sequence of user input interfaces according to the prior art steps of Figure 5.

Figure 9 details the typical contents at runtime of the memory means of, respectively, the user terminals and the server terminals shown in Figure 1 , including a network messaging application according to the invention.

Figure 10 is a functional representation of a network messaging application according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface according to the invention.

Figure 12 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with the user interface of Figure 11.

Figure 13 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface according to the invention. Figure 14 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with the user interface of Figure 13.

Figure 15 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with a further embodiment of the network messaging application.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description. The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Referring now to the figures and initially Figure 1 , there is shown a network environment in which several data processing terminals 101 , 102, 103, 104 are connected to one another over a Wide Area Network (WAN) 105, in the example the Internet.

Data processing terminal 101 is a mobile communication device which receives or emits voice and/or text data encoded as a digital signal over a wireless data transmission 106, wherein said signal is relayed respectively to or from the device 101 by the geographically-closest communication link relay 106A of a plurality thereof. The plurality of communication link relays 106A allows digital signals to be routed between mobile devices 101 and their intended recipient by means of a remote gateway 106B. Gateway 106B is for instance a communication network switch, which couples digital signal traffic between wireless telecommunication networks, such as the network within which wireless data transmissions 106 take place, and the WAN 105. The gateway 106B further provides protocol conversion if required, for instance if the device 101 uses a Wireless Application Protocol ('WAP') or Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol ('HTTPS') to communicate data.

Data processing terminal 102 is a tablet - format personal computer which receives or emits voice and/or text data encoded as a digital signal over a wireless data transmission 107, wherein said signal is related respectively to or from the computer 102 by a local wireless router 108 operating according to the 802.11η wireless transmission protocol (WiFi). The router 108 is itself connected to the WAN 105 via a conventional ADSL connection over a wired telecommunication network 109.

Data processing terminals 103 and 104 are personal computers configured as data servers, each of which being respectively connected to the WAN 105 substantially as described in connection with device 102, however wherein a wired connection 110 to their respective routers 108 is preferred to maximise data communication bandwidth. ln the environment of Figure 1 therefore, the user of each terminal 101 , 102 has the use of a mobile communicating device configured to receive and communicate data encoded as a digital signal over a wireless data transmission, respectively from and to either of the servers 103, 104.

A typical hardware architecture of either of the networking devices 101 , 102 is shown in Figure 2 in further detail, by way of non-limitative example. The mobile phone 101 and the tablet computer 102 include a data processing unit 201 , for instance a general-purpose microprocessor, acting as the main controller of the data processing terminal and which is coupled with memory means 202, comprising volatile random-access memory (RAM), non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) or a combination thereof.

The devices further include networking means 203, for mobile phone 101 in the form of a transceiver containing an analogue-to-digital converter 204, which receives an analogue waveform signal through an aerial 205 from the communication link relay 06A and processes same into digital data with the data processing unit 201 or a dedicated signal processing unit and, for tablet computer 102, in the form of a wireless local area network (WLAN) network interface card (NIC).

The CPU 201 , NVRAM 202 and networking means 203 are connected by a data input/output bus 206, over which they communicate and to which further components of the devices 101 , 102 are similarly connected in order to provide wireless communication functionality and receive user interrupts, inputs and configuration data. Accordingly, communication functionality in mobile phone 101 is provided by a modem 207, which provides the interface to external communication systems, such as the GPRS or 3G cellular telephone network 106A, 106B shown in Figure 1. Communication functionality in tablet computer 102 is provided by the WLAN NIC 203 or likewise by a 3G modem 207, which provide respective interfaces to external communication systems, respectively the router 108 and the 3G cellular telephone network 106A, 106B shown in Figure 1. User input may be received from a data input interface 208, which for mobile phone 101 is a keypad with a limited number of multi-functional keys and/or a capacitive or resistive touch screen feature of the display unit 209 and, for tablet computer 102, is a capacitive or resistive touch screen feature of the display unit 209.

Power is supplied to the above components by the electrical circuit 210 of devices 101 , 102, which is interfaced with an internal battery module 211 , which itself may be recharged on an ad hoc basis by an electrical converter 212.

A typical hardware architecture of either of the server terminals 103, 104 is shown in Figure 3 in further detail, by way of non-limitative example. Servers 103, 104 are computer terminals configured with a data processing unit 301 , data outputting means such as video display unit (VDU) 302, user data inputting means such as a keyboard 303 and a pointing device (mouse) 304, and data inputting/outputting means such as the network connection 110, a magnetic data- carrying medium reader/writer 306 and an optical data-carrying medium reader/writer 307.

Within data processing unit 301 , a central processing unit (CPU) 308, such as an Intel Core i7 manufactured by the Intel Corporation, provides task coordination and data processing functionality. Instructions and data for the CPU 308 are stored in memory means 309 and a hard disk storage unit 310 facilitates non-volatile storage of data and several software applications.

A network interface card (NIC) 311 provides a wired or wireless connection to the Wide Area Network 101. A universal serial bus (USB) input/output interface 312 facilitates connection to the keyboard and pointing devices 303, 304. All of the above devices are connected to a data input/output bus 313, to which the magnetic data-carrying medium reader/writer 306 and optical data-carrying medium reader/writer 307 are also connected. A video adapter 314 receives CPU instructions over said bus 313 for outputting processed data to VDU 302.

In the example, and with reference to Figure 4, the user of device 101 configuring a local data processing terminal for use with electronic mail and requires technical assistance, which he requests via an Internet Forum 401 of the prior art, dedicated to computer configuring and optimisation, maintained and distributed by server 103. If the user of terminal 101 cannot see a title 402 of a thread apt to provide the information he requires, then the user needs to start a new thread 402 by selecting a relevant feature 403 of the Internet forum interface 401.

The procedural steps for starting a new thread 402 and replying thereto according to the prior art are shown in Figure 5, by way of example. With reference to Figures 4 and 6, having selected the relevant interface feature 403, server 103 updates the interface 401 with a user input interface 601 , in which the user may input his query as a sequence of strings of alpha numerical data constructing a sentence or question. The known interface 601 may feature a number of text formatting options 602, since Internet forum posts of the prior art are text-based. The user may preview the post including the optional text formatting by selecting a relevant command button 603, or send the input data to the server 103 at step 502 by selecting another relevant command button 604. Since the terminal 101 is a mobile communication device, having a display size substantially smaller than a computer video display unit, with reference to Figure 7, the user input interface 601 may be scaled down both in size and features to accommodate the reduced resolution and size of the display. For instance, the prior art Internet forum application maintained by server 103 may receive terminal properties data indicative of the display resolution and size and automatically broadcast an alternative, smaller user input interface 701 with only the most relevant or common text formatting options 702, and no previewing command button 603 to avoid inessential communications with mobile devices.

Upon receiving the user input data as a new query sent at step 502, the server 103 creates a new thread 402, which will automatically appear in the Internet forum main interface 401 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest Internet forum status at step 503. Another user of the same Internet forum, for instance the user of terminal 102 will therefore eventually see the query of user 101 at step 504 and may choose to answer the query with a reply post, if he has relevant knowledge and/or is apt to locate relevant knowledge at alternative network locations. A question is therefore asked at step 505, as to whether the alternative user wishes to answer the post. If the question of step 505 is answered negatively, the user may wish to peruse another thread and control returns to step 503, and so on and so forth. Alternatively, the question of step 505 is answered positively and the user, having selected a relevant interface feature, receives an updated interface 401 from server 103 with a user input interface 601 or 701 , in which the user may input his answer as a sequence of strings of alpha numerical data constructing a sentence, at step 506. Prior to, or in parallel with the alpha numerical data input in known interface 601 , it is common for Internet forum users to locate and include resource data from alternative network locations in the WAN 105, whether as source material validating their comment, more detailed resource than can be input with a keyboard or keypad within a useful time frame, or simply as a virtual signpost for the querying user to follow for accessing the alternative network location and the resource data thereat. At optional step 507, therefore, the user replying to the query may need to locate the resource data at the alternative network location for including same in his reply at step 506, before the complete reply is eventually sent to the server at step 508.

Upon receiving the user input data as a new answer sent at step 508, the server 103 creates a new post in the thread 402, which will automatically appear in the Internet forum thread interface 401 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest Internet forum thread status at step 509. For instance, the user of terminal 101 who posted the original thread at step 501 will therefore eventually see the answer of user 102 at step 510 and, again, may choose to provide his own answer to the answer of user 102, if he wishes to continue the virtual conversation, for instance if he requires additional assistants or information.

With reference to step 507, Figure 8 illustrates how the location of resource data for inclusion in a reply post can congest a visual display. As the user of terminal 102 is composing his reply post at step 506 within the Internet forum interface 601 , he must start either a new instance 801 of his browsing application or, depending on the browser, a new tabulated page of the browser, and access a search engine 802, in which he may then type a further sequence of strings of alpha numerical characters for performing a Boolean search and identify the resource network address 803 therefrom. The user may then access the resource 804 at the identified network address within the same browser instance 801 , or in still a further instance 805 or new tabulated page of his browsing application. The composition of a detailed reply message with resource data can therefore prove lengthy and difficult with or in network messaging applications of the prior art, and optimised human interface devices such as large video display units, keyboards and pointing devices still maintain an ergonomic advantage in that context, over smaller, typically mobile devices, or devices not optimised for human interaction involving alphanumerical input.

The present invention provides an improved messaging application in a network messaging system, and a method of communicating in same, apt to be implemented in the networked environment shown in Figure 1 and which overcomes the above limitations of smaller, typically mobile devices, or devices not optimised for human interaction involving alphanumerical input. With reference now to Figure 9, the typical contents of the memory means 309, 202 of, respectively, the server terminal 104 and the user terminals 101 , 102 shown in Figure 1 are shown, including a network messaging application according to the invention.

The memory means 309 of server 104 firstly store the operating system 901 of the server, which provide the data processing terminal with basic functionality and connectivity. The memory means 309 next stores a network messaging application 902 according to the invention, a first embodiment of which will be described in further detail hereafter. The server distributes a user interface 903 of the messaging application to the or each client 101 , 102 for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein.

The memory means also stores at least one database 904, which comprises at least user data 905 and resource data 906, a first embodiment of which will be described in further detail hereafter. Depending on the specific architecture of server 104 and the storage requirements of database 904, the database may instead remain stored in hard disk storage unit 310 and only portions thereof transiently stored in memory 309.

The messaging application 902 is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal 101, 102, therefore the memory means 309 of server 104 also stores incoming network messages 907 received from the or each user client terminal 101 , 102, which contain user input data.

According to the invention, the messaging application 902 is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data 906, therefore the memory means 309 of server 104 also stores a buffer 908 into which received network messages 907 are queued for processing by the network messaging application 902, for instance configured as a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer. The messaging application 902 is further adapted to store user input data in database 903 and to broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal, therefore the memory means 309 of server 104 also stores outgoing network messages 909 addressed to the or each user client terminal 101 , 102, which contain resource data 906 and/or user data 905 stored in database 904.

Turning to the memory means 202 of client terminal 101 or 102, again the memory firstly stores the operating system 910 of the terminal, which provides the data processing terminal with basic functionality and connectivity.

The memory means 202 next stores the network messaging application 902 distributed by the server 104, including the user interface 904 which is adapted to receive local user input data indicative of resource data 906 stored in the database 904. The memory means 202 therefore also stores local user input data 911 which, depending on the specific architecture of the client terminal, may comprise screen coordinate data read from a gestural input human interface such as a touch screen interface 208, and/or alphanumerical data obtained from a keypad 208 or the like.

Outgoing network messages 907 addressed to the server 104, which include data requests and local user input data 911 , are stored at 912 in the memory means 202 until they are broadcast to the server over the network. Incoming network messages 909 sent by the server 104, which include user and/or resource data 905, 906 and are addressed to the client terminal, are stored at 913 in the memory means 202 when received by the client terminal over the network. Figure 10 is a functional representation of a network messaging application according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the network messaging application 902 comprises four modules. A first communication module 1001 interfaces the operating system 901 of the server 104 and processes both incoming client terminal messages 907 received from the connectivity processes of the operating system 901 and outgoing application messages 909 through to the connectivity processes of the operating system 901.

The communication module queues incoming client terminal messages 907 in the buffer 908, whereby a second parser module 1002 accesses queued client terminal messages 907 therein iteratively and processes each accessed messages for extracting semantic content apt to be matched against stored resource data 906.

A database engine 1003 receives the extracted semantic content from the parser module 1002, performs a matching operation between the extracted semantic content and the stored resource data 906 and outputs matched resource data 906 to a formatter module 1004.

The communication module may also directly query the database engine

1003 when a client terminal data request 907 corresponds to a direct database query, for instance to generate a database browser window or interface from which a remotely-connected user may directly select stored resource data 906, or to return stored resource data 906 to the requesting client terminal.

The database engine 1003 interfaces the network messaging application with the database 904, which stores at least user data 905 and resource data 906. The resource data 906 is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data 1005, audio data 1006, video data 1007, audio- video data 1008, image data 1009, network address data 1010, virtual meeting data 101 . The formatter module 1004 receives the stored data 906 from the database engine 1003 and generates relevant instructions to format the stored data 906 to the requirements of the user interface 903 or the parameters of the communication module 1001.

For instance, the network messaging application may not allow the use of HTML language code in messages for security reasons, but allow Bulletin Board Code instead, whereby the formatter module 1004 generates Bulletin Board Code relevant to the resource data format, to ensure the user interface 903 at the recipient client terminal will render the resource data 906 as intended, upon receipt.

Likewise, the resource data 906 may be stored in a format not apt for communication and/or not apt for processing by the recipient client terminal, whereby the formatter accordingly processes the stored data into a suitable format. For instance, the alphanumerical data 1005 may be stored in database 904, and/or formatted by the formatter module 1004, as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page. Further, the formatter module 1004 may compress the stored data 906 before broadcast, particularly storage-intensive data such as audio data, video data, audio-video data and image data, in order to minimise bandwidth requirements and transient data storage requirements at the recipient client terminal

Figure 11 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface according to the invention. In the example, the user of device 101 is again configuring a local data processing terminal for use with electronic mail and requires technical assistance, which he requests via the network messaging application 902, dedicated to computer configuring and optimisation, maintained and distributed by server 104. The device 101 receives a user interface 903 of the network messaging application 902 from server 104 over the network, again configured substantially as an electronic bulletin board or Internet Forum and having threads 1101 displayed by their title 1102 in a logical order, for instance a chronological order of creation or last reply therein.

The user interface 903 further includes a contextual menu 1103 for selecting resource data 906. The contextual menu 1103 in the example interface 903 comprises a group of icons structured for sequential selection of a resource data theme and a resource data format. Some of the icons 1104 are associated with a respective resource data format and some of the icons are associated with a respective resource data theme 1105.

Upon VDU 209 of device 101 displaying the interface 903 of Figure 11 , if the user of terminal 101 cannot see a title 1102 of a thread apt to provide the information he requires, then the user need not start a new thread 1101 by selecting a relevant feature 1106 of the interface 903, nor input alphanumerical data in a user input interface functionally comparable to prior art interfaces 601 , 701. The user may instead obtain the information he requires by using the contextual menu 1105, using only gestural input data.

For instance, if the user requires basic information about electronic mail software installation, he may first select the 'frequently-asked-questions' (? FAQ) icon 1104, then select the 'install' icon 1105, whereby the network messaging application 902 at server 104 broadcasts all resource data 906 in reply, corresponding to stored 'FAQ' data, usually in the form of a text document formatted as a web page and containing basic and essential information about a topic, in connection with the topic of 'installing'. Alternatively, if the user requires audio-visual information about electronic mail software installation to follow step-by-step, he may instead first select the 'video' (►video) icon 1104, then again select the 'install' icon 1105, whereby the network messaging application 902 at server 104 broadcasts all resource data 906 in reply, corresponding to stored 'video' data, usually in the form of a video file, in connection with the topic of 'installing'. Figure 12 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with the user interface of Figure 11. At step 1201 , the user of client terminal 101 selects a first icon 1104 associated with a format of a stored data resource 906.

At step 1202, the user of client terminal 101 selects a second icon 1105 associated with a theme of a stored data resource 906. The sequence of icon selections is sent to server 104 at step 1203 by the local network messaging application 902.

The communication module 1001 receives the sequence of selection as an incoming message 907 corresponding to a direct database query, whereby the communication module directly queries the database engine 1003 and returns stored resource data 906 to the requesting client terminal, optionally formatted by the formatter module 1004. At step 1204, the client terminal 101 receives the network messaging application reply from server 104 and the user may peruse the resource data 906 in user interface 903. A question is asked at step 1205, as to whether the received resource data 906 provides the information required. If the question of step 1205 is answered positively, control returns to step 1201 , at which the user of device 101 , or an alternative user of the same network messaging system may select a first icon 1104 associated with a format of a stored data resource 906, and so on and so forth.

Alternatively, the question of step 1205 is answered negatively whereby, at step 1206, a new requirement is raised at the network messaging application 902 at server 104 for additional resource data 906 to be obtained and stored in database 904, so that the information requirement according to the unsatisfied sequence of selections may eventually be met.

Moreover, if the question of step 1205 is answered negatively, the user of client terminal 101 may still start a new thread 1101 at step 1207, by selecting a relevant feature 1104 of the interface 903 and inputting an alphanumerical string sequence, then broadcasting it to server 104 at step 1208, whereby the new thread 1101 will automatically appears by its respective title 1102 in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status.

Figure 13 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface according to the invention. With reference to Figure 11 , in the example, the user of device 101 has started a new thread 1101 by selecting a relevant feature 1104 of the interface 903, which automatically appears by its respective title 1102 in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status.

Another user of the same network messaging application 902, for instance the user of terminal 102 therefore eventually sees the query or thread 1101 of the user of device 101 and may choose to answer the query with a reply post, if he has relevant knowledge and/or is apt to locate relevant resource data 906 in database 904 at server 104.

The user interface 903 in this embodiment is similar in function and appearance to user input interface 601 or 701 in that it provides for inputting and formatting alphanumerical data if the user chooses to input same in a dedicated portion 1301 , however it further includes a contextual menu 1302 for selecting resource data 906. The contextual menu in the example interface 903 comprises a drop-down menu 1302 of entries 1303, wherein each entry 1303 is associated with a resource data format 1304. Upon VDU 209 of device 102 displaying the interface 903 of Figure 13, the user of terminal 102 activates the drop-down menu 1302 by locating a screen cursor or pointer thereon, then translating the cursor over the entry 1303 representative of the required resource data format. An interrupt selecting the entry 1303, for instance a screen tap or mouse click, generates a broadcast to server 104, for network messaging application 902 to update the user interface 903 at device 102 with a database browser window displaying resource data 906 stored in database 904 at server 104 and available for selection in the menu- selected format 1303.

For instance, if the user of device 102 is aware, from the query, that the user of device 1010 requires basic information about electronic mail software installation, the user of device 102 may select the 'frequently-asked-questions' (? FAQ) entry 1303 in the drop-down menu 1302, then select the relevant document or web page in a database browser displaying the 'FAQ' resource data 906 stored in database 904 at server 104.

Likewise, and alternatively, if the user of device 102 is aware, from the query, that the user of device 101 requires audio-visual information about electronic mail software installation to follow step-by-step, he may instead first select the 'video' (►video) entry 1303 in the drop-down menu 1302, then select the relevant video file in a database browser displaying the 'video' resource data 906 stored in database 904 at server 104. An interrupt selecting the relevant stored data 906 in the database browser window generates a broadcast to server 104, for network messaging application 902 to update the thread 1101 with a reply post containing the selected resource data 906 whereby, upon next accessing the thread 1101 , the querying user of device 101 may peruse the FAQ or video resource data as a response to his query. Figure 14 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with the user interface of Figure 13. At step 1401 , the user of client terminal 101 starts a new thread 1101 by selecting a relevant feature 1104 of the interface 903 and inputting an alphanumerical string sequence, then broadcasting it to server 104 at step 1402, whereby the new thread 1101 will automatically appears by its respective title 1102 in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status.

Upon receiving the user input data as a new query sent at step 1402, the server 104 creates a new thread 1101 , which will automatically appear in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status at step 1403. Another user of the same Internet forum, for instance the user of terminal 102 will therefore eventually see the query of user 101 at step 1404 and may choose to answer the query with a reply post, if he has relevant knowledge and/or is apt to locate relevant resource data 906 in database 904 at server 104.

A question is therefore asked at step 1405, as to whether the alternative user wishes to answer the post. If the question of step 1405 is answered negatively, the user may wish to peruse another thread and control returns to step 1403, and so on and so forth. Alternatively, the question of step 1405 is answered positively and, at step 1406, the user interacts with the drop-down menu 1302, selects an entry 1303 thereof whereby the user interface 903 is updated by server 104 with a database browser window displaying resource data 906 stored in database 904 and available for selection in the menu-selected format 1303, and the user selects relevant resource data 906 therein. The user of client terminal 102 may optionally, or instead, input an alphanumerical string sequence at step 1406. The reply message comprising the user input data is then broadcast to the server at step 1407 and, upon receiving the user input data as a new answer sent at step 1408, the server 104 creates a new post in the thread 1101 , which will automatically appear in the thread interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest status at step 1 09. For instance, the user of terminal 101 who posted the original thread at steps 1401 , 1402 will therefore eventually see the answer of user 102 and peruse the resource data 906 in the answering post at step 1410.

Figure 15 details processing steps according to which a user interacts with a further embodiment of the network messaging application. At step 1501 , the user of client terminal 101 starts a new thread 1101 by selecting a relevant feature 1104 of the interface 903 and inputting an alphanumerical string sequence, then broadcasting it to server 104 at step 1402, whereby the new thread 101 will automatically appears by its respective title 1102 in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status.

Upon receiving the user input data as a new query sent at step 1402, the server 104 creates a new thread 1101 , which will automatically appear in the interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest network messaging application status at step 1403. At step 1503, the parser module 1002 of the network messaging application extracts semantic content from the alphanumerical string sequence input by the user of client terminal 101 when starting the new thread. At step 1504, the database engine 1003 receives the extracted semantic content from the parser module 1002 and attempts a matching operation between the extracted semantic content and the stored resource data 906.

A question is asked at step 1505, as to whether the matching operation has been successful, signifying that there is stored resource data 906 apt to answer the user query of step 1501. If the question of step 1505 is answered negatively, the network messaging application interrupts the automated answer generating process, whereby another user of the same Internet forum, for instance the user of terminal 102 will eventually see the query of user 101 and may choose to answer it with a reply post, if he has relevant knowledge and/or is apt to locate relevant resource data 906 in database 904 at server 104, substantially as described hereinbefore.

Alternatively, the question of step 1505 is answered positively and, at step 1506, the formatter module 1004 receives the matched stored data 906 from the database engine 1003 and generates relevant instructions to format the stored data 906 to the requirements of the user interface 903 or the parameters of the communication module 1001.

The application - generated answer including the matched resource data 906 is added as a reply post in the thread 1101 at step 1507, which will automatically appear in the thread interface 903 at the next networked terminal which requests the latest status at step 1508. For instance, the user of terminal 101 who posted the original thread at steps 1501 , 1502 will therefore eventually see the application - generated answer and peruse the resource data 906 in the answering post at step 1509.

The embodiments in the invention described with reference to the drawings comprise a computer apparatus and/or processes performed in a computer apparatus. However, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs stored on or in a carrier adapted to bring the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, or a code intermediate source and object code, such as in partially compiled form or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method according to the invention. The carrier may comprise a storage medium such as ROM, e.g. CD ROM, or magnetic recording medium, e.g. a floppy disk or hard disk. The carrier may be an electrical or optical signal which may be transmitted via an electrical or an optical cable or by radio or other means.

In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

1. A networked messaging system comprising: at least one network; at least one server connected to the network; at least one user client terminal connected to the server over the network; wherein the server stores at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processes a messaging application; wherein the messaging application is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal, store user input data, and broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal; wherein the server distributes a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; characterised in that the user interface at the or each client terminal is further adapted to input user input data indicative of resource data stored in the at least one database; and the messaging application is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data.

2. The networked messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the messaging application is an electronic bulletin board or an Internet Forum.

3. The networked messaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface is further adapted by including a contextual menu for selecting resource data.

4. The networked messaging system according to claim 3, wherein the contextual menu is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising an icon, a group of icons, a file shortcut, a group of file shortcuts, a file thumbnail, a group of file thumbnails, a file system representation, a pop-up menu and a drop-down menu.

5. The networked messaging system according to claim 3, wherein the contextual menu comprises at least two icons structured for sequential selection of a resource data theme and a resource data format, wherein at least a first icon is associated with a resource data theme and at least the second icon is associated with a resource data format.

6. The networked messaging system according to claim 5, wherein the contextual menu comprises a plurality of icons structured for sequential selection of a resource data theme and a resource data format, at least some of the icons being associated with a respective resource data theme and the remaining icons are associated with a respective resource data format.

7. The networked messaging system according to claim 3, wherein the contextual menu is a drop-down menu of entries, wherein each entry is associated with a resource data format.

8. The networked messaging system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the resource data is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data.

9. The networked messaging system according to claim 8, wherein the alphanumerical data is formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page.

10. The networked messaging system according to claim 8, wherein the audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data is compressed as an archive file.

11. A method of communicating in a network messaging system comprising at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal, comprising the steps of storing at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processing a messaging application at the at least one server; receiving data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal and storing user input data at the at least one server, broadcasting requested data to the or each user client terminal from the at least one server; distributing a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; characterised in that the method comprises the further steps of at the or each one user client terminal, inputting user input data indicative of resource data stored in the at least one database ; and processing received user input data as a data request for resource data.

12. The method according to claim 11 , embodied in an electronic bulletin board or an Internet Forum.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, comprising the further steps of providing a contextual menu in the user interface and selecting resource data in or with the contextual menu.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of selecting resource data further comprises the step of selecting any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising an icon, a group of icons, a file shortcut, a group of file shortcuts, a file thumbnail, a group of file thumbnails, a file system representation, a pop-up menu and a drop-down menu.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of selecting resource data further comprises the step of sequentially selecting at least two icons, wherein at least a first icon is associated with a resource data theme and at least the second icon is associated with a resource data format.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of selecting resource data further comprises the step of sequentially selecting a plurality of icons, at least some of the icons being associated with a respective resource data theme and the remaining icons are associated with a respective resource data format.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the contextual menu is a drop-down menu of entries, each entry being associated with a resource data format, and the step of selecting resource data further comprises the step of selecting an entry in the menu.

18. The method according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the resource data is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the alphanumerical data is formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page.

20. The method according to claim 18, comprising the further step of compressing the audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data as an archive file.

21. A networked messaging system comprising: at least one network; at least one server connected to the network; at least one user client terminal connected to the server over the network; wherein the server stores at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processes a messaging application; wherein the messaging application is adapted to receive data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal, store user input data, and broadcast requested data to the or each user client terminal; wherein the server distributes a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; characterised in that the messaging application is further adapted to process received user input data as a data request for resource data; match the data request with stored resource data; and generate a response to the received user input data including the matched stored resourced data.

22. The networked messaging system according to claim 21 , wherein the messaging application is an electronic bulletin board or an Internet Forum.

23. The networked messaging system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the messaging application processes user input data with a parser for identifying semantic strings of alphanumerical characters.

24. The networked messaging system according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the resource data is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data.

25. The networked messaging system according to claim 24, wherein the alphanumerical data is formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page.

26. The networked messaging system according to claim 24, wherein the audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data is compressed as an archive file.

27. A method of communicating in a network messaging system comprising at least one network, at least one server connected to the network and at least one user client terminal , comprising the steps of storing at least one database, comprising at least user data and resource data and processing a messaging application at the at least one server; receiving data requests and user input data from the or each user client terminal and storing user input data at the at least one server, broadcasting requested data to the or each user client terminal from the at least one server; distributing a user interface of the messaging application to the or each client for inputting user input data therein and for displaying requested data therein; characterised in that the method comprises the further steps of processing received user input data as a data request for resource data; matching the data request with stored resource data; and generating a response to the received user input data including the matched stored resourced data.

28. The method according to claim 27, embodied in an electronic bulletin board or an Internet Forum.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the step of processing received user input data further comprises the steps of parsing the user input data and identifying semantic strings of alphanumerical characters.

30. The method according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the resource data is any of, or a combination selected from, the group comprising alphanumerical data, audio data, video data, audio-video data, image data, network address data, virtual meeting data.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the alphanumerical data is formatted as any of a text file, a document file, a web file, a web page.

32. The method according to claim 30, comprising the further step of compressing the audio data, video data, audio-video data or image data as an archive file.

33. A set of instructions recorded on a carrier for, or stored in a memory of, a programmable networked data processing terminal which, when processed by processing means of the data processing terminal, causes the networked data processing terminal to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 11 to 20.

34. A set of instructions recorded on a carrier for, or stored in a memory of, a programmable networked data processing terminal which, when processed by processing means of the data processing terminal, causes the networked data processing terminal to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 27 to 31.