Unified messaging platform for providing interactive semantic objects

Abstract

A unified messaging platform is described which provides a comprehensive environment for collaboration, file sharing, and project management. In aspects, the unified messaging platform is organized based on one or more teams or projects, where each team or project is further organized by customizable categories. A user interface is provided for ready access to information related to each category (e.g., communications, files, tasks, work product, etc.), which information is automatically and seamlessly synchronized across the platform such that each team member remains abreast of the current progress and status of a project. Team collaboration and cooperation is facilitated by interactive semantic objects. Interactive semantic objects may act as an access points to external services, centralized interfaces for team interaction, scheduling interfaces, and the like. Status updates, tallies, and/or selections are automatically synchronized and displayed for team members in a single version of an interactive semantic object.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 at least one processing unit; and   at least one memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the system to perform a method, the method comprising:
 receiving a semantic object including an interactive control; 
 receiving a selection of the interactive control; 
 performing an action associated with the interactive control; 
 in response to performing the action, generating a result; and 
 updating the semantic object with the result. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the semantic object is embedded in a message. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive control is associated with a link to an operation, and wherein the action is performed by following the link to the operation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending the updated semantic object to one or more endpoints.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining that at least one of the one or more endpoints is not registered with a unified messaging application; and   transforming the updated semantic object into a format that is readable at the at least one endpoint.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating the semantic object with the result across a plurality of access points within a user interface associated with a unified messaging application, wherein the updated semantic object is provided as a single synchronized version.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the single synchronized version of the updated semantic object is viewable at a plurality of endpoints. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the result comprises one or more of:
 a tally of selections;   an update to data;   a selection of an option; and   a completed task.   
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 at least one processing unit; and   at least one memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the system to perform a method, the method comprising:
 creating a semantic object including an interactive control within a user interface of a unified messaging application; 
 receiving a result of an action associated with the interactive control; and 
 updating the semantic object with the result. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 embedding the semantic object into a message.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the semantic object includes at least one parameter, comprising at least one of:
 a duration period;   a completion date; and   an end time.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the message embedded with the semantic object is sent to one or more endpoints. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining that at least one of the one or more endpoints is not registered with the unified messaging application; and   transforming the semantic object into a format that is readable at the at least one endpoint.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the updated semantic object is sent to one or more endpoints. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 updating the semantic object with the result across a plurality of access points within the unified messaging application, wherein the updated semantic object is provided as a single synchronized version.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the single synchronized version of the updated semantic object is viewable at a plurality of endpoints. 
     
     
         17 . A method of creating a semantic object including an interactive control, the method comprising:
 creating the semantic object including the interactive control within an interface of a unified messaging application;   receiving a selection of the interactive control, wherein the interactive control is linked to an operation;   receiving a result of the operation; and   updating the semantic object with the result.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 embedding the semantic object into a message.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 updating the semantic object with the result across a plurality of access points within the unified messaging application, wherein the updated semantic object is provided as a single synchronized version.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the single synchronized version of the updated semantic object is viewable at a plurality of endpoints.