BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein relates generally to visual feedback of command execution in computer systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to the 3D animation of electronic mail messages in response to different actions performed on the messages, such as sending, receiving, deleting, browsing, etc.

Electronic mail, or email, is an increasingly popular medium used by people to communicate with one another. Using email, a person can send messages and other information electronically across a computer network to other email users. Information that can be attacbed to email messages includes : pictures, sound recordings, formatted documents, and virtually any other content that is in digital ibrm. Email communication systems can be described as a multicast store-and-forward communications system, allowing users to send messages to one or more recipients at a time. Most systems can further be described as bi- directional, as they usually allow a user to both send and receive messages.

When using email to communicate, a user will typically create a message using electronic mail client software running on a computer that is connected by a network to other computers. Alternatively, the user's computer can be connected to the network on demand, such as through the use of a modem in conjunction with a dial-up account at an Internet Service Provided (SIP). In addition to the substantive contents,, the message will include the network address of the intended recipient-When the user has finished composing the message, it is electronically transmitted via a network to its intended recipient. The recipient, also running email client software on a computer connected to a network, receives the message and can examine its contents.

A common computer network used to send and receive email is the Internet.

The Internet allows users to exchange email with other users located throughout the world.

Typically, each user will have an Internet email address that is unique to the particular user.

The syntax of Internet mail addresses is usemame@domamname, e. g., mark@prodigy. com.

A user with an email account and a computer capable of connecting to the Internet can easily be configured to send and receive messages over me network.

In many existing email client systems, a hierarchy of folders is used to manage messages. Typically, an "Inbox" holds received messages and an Outbox holds completed messages that have not yet been sent. Other standard folders include a "Sent Items" folder containing messages that have already been sent to their intended recipients, a"Deleted Items7 folder holding received messages that have been deleted, and a "Draft" folder holding unfinished messages that have been saved for completion at a later time. The user is free to create additional folders to manage messages according to his or her specific needs.

The only indication to the user that an action has been performed on an email message is a change in the contents of the various folders. For example, when a user decides to view either the next or previous message in a folder, the execution of either one of these commands will simply display the next or previous message. Likewise, executing the delete message command will remove a message from the Inbox or folder that it currently resides in and move it to a Deleted item folder. Unfortunately, current systems provide no indication as to exactly which command was indeed executed. Because the visual feedback provided by the system to indicate that commands have been executed is nearly identical, careful attention is required on the part of the user to make sure actions have been performed successfully or that the correct actin was performed.

There is thus a need for a system that provides a robust indication to the user that a command has been executed. The present invention satisfies this need with a system that performs 3D visual animations representing the execution of user commands, with die animation performed on the email itself. Each command is provided with a different animation representative of the coummnd. The visual representation of commands helps the user understand exactly which command has been executed. Additionally, the animation of the email itself supplies a new level of interactivity that helps make working with email systems less tedious and more enjoyable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described inherent limitations of email systems.

It is another an object of the present invention to visually alert a user that a command ha. s been executed.

It is another object of the present invention to visually inform the user that a command has been executed by animating the body of a message in response to the particular command.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a user with the ability to associate different animations with different commands.

Some of the above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a 3D animation system composed of three parts : the animated body, a texture mapping applied to the animated body, and me transformation of the animated body over a redefined timeline. In order to achieve the effect of an animated email message, the area within the email client that displays the text of the message, or message body, is calculated. The contents of this area are mapped to an identically sized set of polygons representing the animated email. The texture mapped polygons are then displayed within a &ameless window on top of the body of the email message. The polygons are animated in response to the particular command the user wishes to execute. The texture-mapped polygons are removed from the visible area of the screen after the animation ha : ! finished, creating a seamless transition between the animated and normal representation of the email message Processing control is then returned to the email client software, allowing the user to execute additional commands and continue manipulating email messages.

Some examples of email animations are a message flying out into space to represent the sending of a message, animating a message to appear as a page turning in a book to represent browsing through a series of messages, and shredding or crumbling a message to represent deleting a message. To enhance the effect, an appropriate sound effect can be added to the animation, such as the sound of crumpling paper or a paper shredder, The set of animations need not be fixed. Functionality is provided mat allows a user to select among a series of different animations according to personal preferences. For example, a baseball fan can select an animation of a message being hit out of a ballpark.

Users can allow the system to randomly associate messages with different animations, thus adding a surprise factor to the experience. New animations may also be added to me system, e. g., by loading them from a CD-ROM or by downloading them from the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS<BR> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which : Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the software components that comprise the email animation system according to one embodiment of the present invention ; Figs. 2 and 3 are a flow diagram presenting a method for animating email messages according to one embodiment of the present invention ; Figs-4 4 rough 8 are a series of screen shots showing ation associated with executing the send message command according to one embodiment of the present invention ; Figs. 9 through 13 are a series of screen shots showing animation associated with executing the receive message command according to one embodiment of the present invention ; and Figs. 14 through 19 are a series of screen, shots showing animation associated with executing the send message command according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figs-20 through 24 are a series of screen shots showing animation associated with executing me send message command according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PEFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the software components that interact to create an animated response to the execution of user commands is presented. The software components are stored on a digital storage device, such as a hard disk or similar mass storage device 102. The application view 104 is the email client software that is presented on a display device, such as a television or computer monitor 106. For example, the application view provided by the MicrosoR Outtook email client includes all the controls and screen elements that comprise the application. When the application is used to manipulate an email message, the message typically appears in a new window or within a separate frame within the email client. The area used to display the body of the email message is referred to as the view region 108.

The storage device 102 also stores animai. on player software 110 that interacts with the view region 108 to control the animation of an email message. The animation player 110 controls a 3D engine 112 and a sound engine 116. The two software engines, 112 and 116, render the graphics and sound necessary to conduct the animation. Software engines, such as these, that are used to manipulate 3D graphics and sound are well known in the art.

As the each frame of the animation is rendered, it is passed off to the animation player 110 for presentation in real-time. Each engine, 112 and 116, has an associated interface, 118 and 120 respectively. The interface is an API that is sued by the animation player 106 to issue commands to the 3D 112 and sound 116 engines. Exemplary 3D APIs are Direc, created by Microsoft Corporation,. and OpenGL, which is an open source 3D API. Essentially, the enginesi 12 and 116 perform the actions under the control of the animation player.

The 3D engine 112 and the sound engines 116 render a plurality of frames of animation with associated sound and pass the data off to the animation player 106. The animation player 110 generates a frarneless animation window 122 that has dimensions identical to those of the view region 108 being animated. This window is used as a container to hold the animation being presented by the player 110| The animation window 122 is overlaid on, or replaces, the view region 108 and the animation is displayed-After the animation has completed, the window 122 is removed and the view region is once again visible. The view region 108 will now display an image that is appropriate to be displayed after the particular command has been executed. For example, if the user selects the next message command, the view region will display the text of the next message after the animation has completed and the animation window is removed.

Figs. 2 and 3 present a flowchart comprising a method for animating email messages in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention-When a user issues a command, it is received by the email client software and executed 202. The animation player will load the appropriate 3D animation from an animation file stored on the user's local <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> filesystem 204. Alternatively, the animation files can reside on a networked server or within a Storage Area Network (SAN) that can be accessed by the email software. The 3D engine acts upon the animation file, which consists of mathematical data representing the movement of a set of polygons over a predefined timcline. The 3D engine animates the set of polygons in a particu ! ar manner, depending on the command executed.

The particular animation data file loaded can be chosen in a number of ways.

The software can be set with default settings that specify the proper animation to use in response to a set of user commands. Alternatively, the user can be provided with options to decide the animation associated with each command. A third way of determining the proper animation is to associate different animations to various message themes. For example, a science fiction message theme might utilize a futuristic fòut on a background of stars-The system will associate a particular animation with this theme, such as blowing the message up in response to a delete command. Moreover, the user can develop additional animations or download animations from the Intersect and collect a plurality of animations representative of each command. Alternatively, in cases where the user has collected several different animations for each command, the user can set the system to randomly load a different animation each time the command is executed.

The region that represents the body ofiihe email message is captured 206. The body of the email is the object of the animation and is texture mapped 208 onto the animation loaded in step 204. A texture map is an image that is applied to a polygon or polygons to be rendered on a display device. For example, a series of polygons could be arranged in the shape of a tree. Applying an image of a piece of bark to the polygon model so as to simulate a real tree would be an example of texture mapping. The polygon set can be considered an object's skeleton, whereas a texture map is its skin, made of wood, chrome, marble, glass, or any number of materials.

The animation is comprised of a set of polygons with the body of the message texture mapped to it. While the set of polygons are arranged in the shape of a rectangular body so as to appear identical to the actual message,"external bodies" may also be part of the animated scene. The polygons that comprise the external body, while animated with the animation of the message body, are external to the message.

The body of the message is applied as a texture map only to the subset of polygons that create the 3D representation of the email, and not the other subsets of polygons that comprise the external bodies. Any pre-defmed color or texture mapping is applied to the external body. For example, a subset of polygons configured to resemble a zipper could be animated as part of the scene. The polygons that comprise the zipper, however, will have a set of pre-defined colors or textures mapped to them so they appear to resemble a zipper. By applying a separate texture map together with the right animation, the animation will appear

to be that of a zipper being pulled across the message. Similarly, a set of polygons with a wood texture mapping could be configured to resemble a baseball bat. The animation can then be designed so as to have the email message animate into the form of a baseball with the baseball bat (i. e., the external body) hitting it off the screen.

Background image data must also be prepared 210. Background image data is the image presented to the user after the mation has completed. The background image is part of the animation and is used as a background to the animated scene. When the user is attempting to browse forward through a series of messages, the background image, or last frame of the animation, is the next message. Similarly, the last trame of the animation will be the previous message, displayed as a background image, when the user is attempting to browse backwards. The appropriate sound data for the animation is also loaded from a file 212 stored on a local or networked filesysetm.

The dimensions of the body of the email message are calculated 302. The calculations are used to create a frameless window. This window is the area that is used to display the animation that was previously loaded at step 204. Because me body of the email is animating, the window and the animating body must be exactly the same size as the message so the user is not aware that a new window is being used to play the animation. The polygons that are being animated are also scaled to the dimensions of the window. Indeed, at either tale first or last frame of the animation, depending on the command executed, the polygon set must be arranged in the shape of a rectangular body that is identical to the message body. Once the window has been created, it is displayed over the body of the email 304 and the texture-mapped polygons are animated 306. Once the animation has completed, the frameless window is removed 308, revealing the background image prepared during step 210. The image data is then unloaded 310 and control is passed back to the email client software 312.

Table 1 presents animation, textures, and backgrounds as contemplated by the above-described method, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Table 1 Animation Animation example Animation Animation Background starts ends texture with with Send The email The email folds, flies Application Capture of Application that is about into space, and background the email background to be sent disappears about to be sent Receive Application The same as send, but The received Capture of Application (Open) background played backwards (opened) the emaijl background email about to be received Next The current A page turning in a The next Capture of The next email book whexe the current email if itthe current email if it email is turned over to exists, email exists, reveal the next email otherwise, otherwise, Applica. uonApplication background background Previous The current A page turning in a The previous Capture of The previous email book where the email if it the current email if it previous email is exists, email exists, turned over hiding the otherwise, otherwise, current email Application Application background background The current The email The next Capture of The next email crumbles/tears into email if it the current email if it pieces/shreds/shatters exists, email exists, like glass to reveal the otherwise, otherwise, next email Application Application background background

Figs. 4 through 8 are a series of screen shots showing the animation associated with the execution of the send message command according to one embodiment of the present invention. The animation begins with a previously composed email message 402, which has been captured and texture mapped to the polygon set and displayed within the frameless window. Because the two are identical, me user is unaware that the message body has been covered or replaced with the tameless window. The polygons animate so die message appears to fall away from the user, revealing the background image 502. At this point, the message starts to slide away from the user, moving towards the"horizon"and revealing more of the application background 502 beneath the animation of'the sent message 402, Figs. 6 through S.

Turning to Figs. 9 through 13, a series of screen shots are presented that show the animation associated with the execution of the receive message command according to one embodiment of the present invention. The animation begins as a series of polygons in the shape of concentric square rings. The polygons have a texture map applied to them 902, which is derived from applying calculations on the incoming message. The application background is used by the animation as the background image 904. The concentric rings grow in size to reveal to the user that each square ring is a. piece of the message, Figs. 10 through 12. The polygon set animates such that the animaation ends with the set arranged in the shape of the message body. The frameless window is seamlessly removed with the user viewing the actual message, Fig. 13.

Figs. 14 through 19 present a series of screen shots that show the animation associated with the execution of the next message command according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the animation begins, the frameless window with polygons arranged in the shape of the message has been textrue mapped and placed over the message body 1402. In addition, the frameless window contains an external body 1404 (a zipper).

The animation progresses with the polygons moving to make the message appear as if it were being unzipped 1402. The external body, configured and texture mapped to resemble a. zipper, moves across the message body. As the message animates, the partial calculation (background image only) of the next message 1602, used as the background to the animation, begins to come into view-After the external body and message have completed animating, the frameless window is seamlessly removed and the user is left with a view of the next message 1902, which contains the text as well.

Turning to Figs. 20 through 24, a series of screen shorts are presented that show the animation associated with the execution of the previous message command according to one embodiment of the present invention. The animation begins with a view of the current message 2002, which is captured and used as the animation background. The partial calculation (background only) of the previous message has been texture mapped to a set of polygons 2102 that begin to animate over the background image. As the polygons animate, the previous message comes into view. The animation completes with me polygon set arranged in the shape of the message body with the message body texture mapped to it. The iiameless window is then removed, revealing the actual next message (including the text), and the user can execute additional comrnands.

While Hie invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, many variations and modificatio ; ns as will be evident to those skilled in this art may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the invention is thus not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction set forth above as such variations and modification are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.