User interface for receiving information via a transmission medium

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method for interfacing with a resident application of a computer system. Upon receipt of a data file in a background space of the computer system, a user interface having plural command interfaces is generated. By selecting a first one of the plural command interfaces, an instruction is issued to the resident application. If a first one of the command interfaces is selected, the data file is transferred to a foreground space of the computer system and opened. Conversely, by selecting a second one of the plural command interfaces, the data file is deleted without opening or transfer to the foreground space.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus comprising a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program that, when executed by a computer, is operable to: 
 receive through a network interface of the computer a communication that contains a graphical image;    respond to receipt of the communication by automatically presenting on a display of the computer a visible user notification that includes the graphical image from the communication.    
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to respond to selection by a user of said user notification by presenting on the display of the computer a visible further notification that includes at least one of: 
 a first command interface, selection of which by a user causes presentation on the display of the computer of content from the communication other than the graphical image;    a second command interface, selection of which by a user deletes the communication without displaying additional content from the communication;    a third command interface, selection of which by a user causes a selected time delay followed by presentation on the display of the computer of content from the communication other than the graphical image; and    a fourth command interface, selection of which by a user establishes a link with an address associated with an originator of the communication.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to configure said further notification to include the graphical image from the communication.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to include each of said first, second, third and fourth command interfaces in said further notification.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to configure said further notification to include textual information.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to include in said user notification at least one of: 
 a first command interface, selection of which by a user causes presentation on the display of the computer of content from the communication other than the graphical image;    a second command interface, selection of which by a user deletes the communication without displaying additional content from the communication;    a third command interface, selection of which by a user causes a selected time delay followed by presentation on the display of the computer of content from the communication other than the graphical image; and    a fourth command interface, selection of which by a user establishes a link with an address associated with an originator of the communication.    
   
   
       28 . An apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to include each of said first, second, third and fourth command interfaces in said user notification.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to configure said user notification to include textual information.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said program is further operable when executed to respond to receipt of a communication that lacks the graphical image by automatically presenting on the display of the computer a visible notification that includes a predetermined graphical image.