Method and apparatus for inputting electronic mail.

摘要

A method and apparatus of the alternately displaying two separate data entry views of an electronic mail object. A first data entry view graphically displays a visual metaphor of at least one sheet of note paper partially overlying an envelope, with only a portion of the envelope visible in the display. A second data entry view graphically displays a visual metaphor of an envelope overlying a portion of at least one sheet of note paper, with only a portion of the sheet of note paper visible in the display. In either view, the overlying displayed sheet of note paper or envelope is active for the entry of message text or destination information, respectively, while the partially displayed envelope or sheet of note paper is inactive to such data entry. Instead, the selection with a pointing device of the partially obscured envelope or sheet of note paper causes that selected envelope or sheet of note paper to be fully displayed and rendered active for data entry while rendering inactive and partially obscuring the previously active field.