Meeting Or Appointment Patents (Class 705/7.19)
  • Patent number: 8185426
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time appointment rescheduling by providing access to one or more computer-based appointment scheduling systems and a virtual open appointment wait-list associated with one or more appointment slots in the scheduling systems. One or more service consumers request to be placed on the wait-list. When an appointment becomes available, wait-list data is searched to find the first consumer that is next on the wait-list and whose wait-list data is consistent with the newly available appointment. The first consumer is then contacted with a designated period of time to respond and accept the appointment. After the designated period of time has passed with no response from the first consumer, the wait-list data is searched again to find the second service consumer that is next on the wait-list. The process is repeated automatically until the newly available appointment is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventor: Siamak Khoubyari
  • Patent number: 8180663
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for assisting in the scheduling of a meeting. A user who desires to schedule a meeting simply inputs the relevant meeting parameters. In response, the computer evaluates a number of possible meeting times by comparing the input constraints against a predetermined set of suitability criteria. Based on this evaluation, the system identifies suggested meeting time(s), and also may identify rooms suitable for each meeting time. The system also calculates an estimated desirability for each suggested meeting time based on its compliance with the suitability criteria. The suggested meeting time(s) and a visual indicator of desirability for each time are then displayed. In addition, the raw free-busy data for each attendee may still be displayed. When the user selects a suggested meeting time, an electronic meeting request is automatically populated with the meeting time and a suitable place associated with the suggested meeting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Tischhauser, David R. Reed, Jason C. Mayans, Michael A. Faoro, Brendan C. Fields
  • Patent number: 8181181
    Abstract: A calendar system schedules tasks and meetings or other appointments for a user. The system retrieves a work capacity, which is information regarding the working hours for the user. The system further retrieves a plurality of enhanced tasks for the user. The system then optimizes a schedule for the user based on the work capacity and the enhanced tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Ioannou
  • Patent number: 8180276
    Abstract: An electronic infrastructure consisting a plurality of client mobile devices, a distribution server and a media creator computer, wherein the client mobile devices present interactive media upon user request. The plurality of client mobile devices support dynamic screen display and, contain a plurality of soft keys. The distribution server that supports delivery of interactive media to the client mobile devices. The media creator is a personal computer that generates interactive media and sends them to the distribution server for distribution. A network such as combination of Internet and mobile network communicatively couple the plurality of client mobile devices, distribution server and personal computer (media creator). The personal computer sends interactive media to the distribution server, the distribution server processes and sends the interactive media to the client mobile device and the client mobile devices presents the interactive media in a series of screens to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Bindu Rama Rao
  • Patent number: 8171104
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for scheduling and searching meetings in a network environment. A form is transmitted over a network to be rendered at an organizer computer to enable entry of information on a meeting. The form is received having organizer entered information on one meeting. The information in the received form is stored in a meeting database, wherein the stored information from the received form is associated with the meeting identified in the received form. A user computer accessed by a user is enabled to register for at least one selected meeting. An email database accessed by the user is updated automatically to include information on the at least one selected meeting indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoying Qi
  • Patent number: 8166121
    Abstract: Presence messages are managed for one or more members of a pre-defined group of e-mail users. An unavailability time period, during which a pre-defined group of e-mail users will be unavailable in the future, is established. A notice, which notifies the pre-defined group of e-mail users that an unavailability control instruction will be sent in the future to participating members of the group of e-mail users, is transmitted to the group of e-mail users. An acceptance signal, identifying the participating members, is received, indicating which members of the group of e-mail users agree to permit the unavailability control instruction to be received and implemented on their participating computers in the future. The unavailability control instruction is then transmitted to the participating computers at an initiation of the unavailability time period, in order to auto-generate an appropriate presence message for the participating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colm Farrell, Liam Harpur, Fred Raguillat, Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Carol S. Zimmet
  • Patent number: 8160912
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for receiving an indication of a meeting being scheduled between a plurality of attendees. At least one of the attendees is designated a moderator of the meeting. The actions of the designated moderator are monitored to determine if the designated moderator is capable of performing one or more moderator responsibilities associated with being the designated moderator. If it is determined that the designated moderator is incapable of performing the one or more moderator responsibilities, an alternate moderator chosen from the plurality of attendees is designated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Denner, Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Sean Callanan, Al Chakra
  • Patent number: 8150719
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Ronald Perrella, Jai Menon, Gaiye Zhou
  • Patent number: 8150718
    Abstract: The system and method for automatically scheduling appointments includes receiving, at the appointment server system, appointment preference information from a client system associated with a user, wherein the appointment preference information includes contact details for one or more contacts of the user. In response to receiving the appointment preference information from the user, the appointment server system automatically, without human intervention, schedules a first proposed appointment based at least in part on the appointment preference information, wherein the first proposed appointment includes a first location, a first plurality of participants including the user and a first contact of the one or more contacts, and a first date that was not selected by any of the first plurality of participants. The appointment server sends an electronic message to the first plurality of participants including an invitation to the first proposed appointment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Hugh Olliphant
  • Patent number: 8140370
    Abstract: A system and method for searching for and scheduling appointments in a health care environment. The present invention is a computerized searching and scheduling system and method for scheduling appointments. The computerized searching and scheduling system and method comprises a plurality of search definitions for defining a plurality of standard searches based on health care provider pools, date offsets and time ranges. The plurality of search definitions define a plurality of appointment visits that are available for scheduling appointments. The computerized searching and scheduling system and method further comprises a plurality of scheduling algorithms for determining a scheduling solution based on parameters and rules by visit type, procedure, providers, and/or resources. Execution of the plurality of search algorithms provides a plurality of available appointment time options for selection in scheduling an appointment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Epic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Larsen, David E. Fuhrmann
  • Publication number: 20120053963
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for dynamically scheduling patient medical facility appointments. The present invention is capable of contacting patients to ensure that each patient will be present for the appointment and is capable of dynamically adjusting the schedule in the event the patient plans to be late or plans to cancel the appointment. The present invention is also capable of contacting patients to reschedule appointments in the event that their medical service provider unexpectedly becomes unavailable. The system's scheduling method has the effect of increasing medical facility efficiency and standardizing medical facility wait time for the patients and thereby increasing profitability and increasing patient convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CADMEAN, INC.
    Inventors: Calvin Seymour, Nigel Smedley, Eric Morris, Leigh Williams, Brandon Smith, Greg Bradley, Daniel Williams
  • Patent number: 8126759
    Abstract: A networked computing system provides various services for assisting users in locating, and establishing contact relationships with, other users. For example, in one embodiment, users can identify other users based on their affiliations with particular schools or other organizations. The system also provides a mechanism for a user to selectively establish contact relationships or connections with other users, and to grant permissions for sharing personal data with such users. The system may also automatically notify users of personal information updates made by their respective contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Robertson, Warren W. Adams
  • Patent number: 8121880
    Abstract: A method for associating a calendar invitation for a calendar event to a web conference for a web conference event is provided. Invitees of a calendar invitation for a calendar event are received and are detected. The invitees of the calendar event are associated to a web conference event. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are detected. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are propagated to the web conference event, and the web conference event synchronizes with the calendar event. Modifications relating to the web conference event for the web conference are detected. Modifications relating to the web conference event are propagated to the calendar event, and the calendar event synchronizes with the web conference event. The invitees of the calendar invitation include first, second, and/or third tiers, and the tiers relate to user roles and privileges, such as a hidden or anonymous presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventors: Patrick O'Sullivan, Carol Zimmet
  • Patent number: 8117056
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, computer usable program code, and system for managing special requests of meeting attendees through an electronic calendar application. A host lists prospective attendees to a meeting in an electronic calendar application. The calendar application searches the attendees' profiles for any special requests the attendees may have. Upon finding a special request, the calendar application contacts an appropriate special requests service vendor and arranges for the special requests service. The calendar application then follows up by confirming the meeting with the special requests service vendor and inviting the meeting attendees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Samuel Roy Detweiler, Randolph Michael Forlenza
  • Patent number: 8112100
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods of location-based status checking. Such a method comprises scheduling an event to occur at a scheduled time at a defined location; inviting an individual to attend the event; querying the individual as to whether the individual will attend the event; and tracking a physical location of the individual to determine whether the individual is on schedule to appear at the event by the scheduled time. Other methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott Frank, Robert Starr, Samuel Zellner, Steven Tischer, John Ruckart
  • Patent number: 8112299
    Abstract: A mobile terminal capable of managing schedule and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. In order to register a new scheduled event to the mobile terminal, a schedule place corresponding to the new scheduled event may be displayed on a schedule map. Thereafter, a route between the schedule place and other routes may be established in consideration of a current location of the mobile terminal and traffic information. The clarity, color and/or shape of objects displayed on the schedule map may be changed in consideration of the current location of the mobile terminal or the traffic information. Therefore, a user may easily obtain various schedule information, current location information and traffic condition information from the schedule map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Hwan Kim, Hyun Bo Choi
  • Publication number: 20120029964
    Abstract: A method for updating an electronic calendar in a vehicle involves uploading an appointment to the electronic calendar, where the appointment includes a description of an event, a time block for the event, and a travel time preceding the time block. An alert is set in a telematics unit of the vehicle, where the alert notifies a vehicle occupant of the appointment. The alert is configured to be activated in response to a trigger. At a time subsequent to the time block of the event, one of i) a memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was activated, or ii) another memo is uploaded to the electronic calendar indicating that the alert was not activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Tengler, Steven P. Schwinke
  • Publication number: 20120022909
    Abstract: Automatic meeting scheduling may be facilitated without the need to open a calendar application to discuss and discover shared available time. A meeting organizer may send a request to one or more potential meeting participants. Based on responses received from the device of the potential meeting participants, the device of the meeting organizer may determine coincidentally available meeting times. The device may automatically select a candidate meeting time from among the coincidentally available meeting times or may rely on the meeting organizer to select a candidate meeting time from among the coincidentally available meeting times. Typical meeting scheduling may then ensue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Mina Ayatollahi, Neeraj Garg, Adrian Michael Logan
  • Publication number: 20120016708
    Abstract: A computer implemented method dynamically manages invitations to a meeting. A first tier of potential invitees to a meeting and a second tier of potential invitees to the meeting are defined. Members of the second tier of potential invitees have been predetermined to have a lower need to attend the meeting than members of the first tier of potential invitees. Invitations for the meeting are first transmitted to members of the first tier of potential invitees. Invitation acceptance responses are received, and if they fail to reach a predetermined level such that resources for the meeting will be underutilized, additional invitations for the meeting are transmitted to members of the second tier of potential invitees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: VIJAY DHEAP, ABHINAY R. NAGPAL, SANDEEP R. PATIL, YAN W. STEIN
  • Patent number: 8095409
    Abstract: A method for organizing a virtual meeting includes steps of creating a meeting file, the meeting file including at least a meeting date, a meeting start time, a meeting duration time, and a meeting code. The meeting file is stored on a memory accessible to the network, and at least one attendee is specified. A step of communicating a meeting invitation to the at least one attendee is also performed, with the invitation including at least the meeting date, meeting start time, meeting code, and a meeting entry portal. Methods and systems of the invention may be embodied in computers and computer program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Insors Integrated Communications
    Inventor: Jon Swanson
  • Publication number: 20120004940
    Abstract: A method for enhanced management of a web conference server includes evaluation a web conference server to ascertain resources of the web conference server. The resources of the web conferencing server are partitioned into rooms, each room having an allocated portion of the resources of the web conferencing server and at least one room providing different capabilities from other rooms hosted on the web conferencing server. Access to the rooms is provided based on at least one user criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Edith Helen Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20120005728
    Abstract: A computer implemented method manages meeting invitations to sub-invitees. A meeting coordinating computer detects a meeting invitation being sent from a meeting moderator's computer to a primary invitee's computer. The meeting coordinating computer intercepts a response from the primary invitee's computer. This response contains a request for a sub-invitee to accompany the primary invitee to the meeting. If the sub-invitee is initially authorized by the meeting coordinating computer to attend the meeting, then a request is transmitted to the meeting moderator's computer for additional authorization to invite the sub-invitee to the meeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: COLM FARRELL, LIAM HARPUR, PATRICK J. O'SULLIVAN, FRED RAGUILLAT, CAROL S. ZIMMET
  • Publication number: 20110320234
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing management of electronic calendar appointments are provided. A database stores records of scheduled appointments of one or more users. The scheduled appointments may be displayed in a calendar view that includes scheduled appointments of the one or more users. A user may designate scheduled appointments associated with the user as private. The calendar system may then hide the scheduled appointments designated as private such that the private appointments are not displayed for view by other users. In another embodiment, a user may select multiple days for printing of scheduled events. In still another embodiment, a user may specify an interval for searching for a period of consecutive days during which the user does not have any scheduled appointments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventor: David C. Mussman
  • Publication number: 20110320235
    Abstract: An invitee who is receiving invitations to meetings, usually via telecommunication, is enabled to predetermine a set of invitee-specific attributes that will be applied to each invitation and to relate the attributes of the invitation to the specific needs of the invitee in the determination of whether the proposed meeting may be scheduled on the specific invitee's calendar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Victor Bak, Elizabeth Baruka Silberg, Yelena Bayeva, Sukadev Bhattiprolu, Alexis Hope Bruemmer
  • Patent number: 8086478
    Abstract: The present invention enables a user to schedule meetings and detect scheduling conflicts. A system user such as an employee schedules a meeting. The time and date of the meeting is stored in an account for that user. When the same user schedules another meeting, that meeting is detected and compared with any previously and scheduled and stored meetings for that user. If there is a conflict between the presently scheduled meeting and any previously scheduled meeting, then the present invention alerts the user and gives the user the opportunity to select the new meeting for that time or to retain the currently scheduled meeting. The present invention can also store and track the unscheduled meetings. In the event the scheduled meeting is postponed or canceled, the user can be notified and given the opportunity to schedule and attend a previously declined meeting that was scheduled for that same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, Fabian F. Morgan, Keith Raymond Walker
  • Publication number: 20110313806
    Abstract: This invention relates to an online booking system and method relating to same which can be used by any user, person, business, professional or facility. More particularly this invention relates to an on line calendar system and computer implemented method for online calendar appointments; embodiments of which can be used for example by, doctors, dentists, restaurants, barber shops, and the like. The person, business or professional sets up the calendar(s) online and users can book.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Ian Huang
  • Publication number: 20110307287
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method by which any individual or organization can associate, record, track and manage meeting events against cost and associated meeting effectiveness. Cataloging key cost factors such as meeting frequency, participant hours, discipline of participants, participant wages, required travel and travel hours, punctuality and number of participants. As described herein, the name given to this invention is a Meeting Cost Effectiveness Planning Tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Reginald Conley
  • Publication number: 20110307286
    Abstract: A method of scheduling a meeting, with computing systems in communication with a data network, includes: storing an identification of a prospective meeting participant's regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours on a memory device of a computing system; and with the computing system, generating a suggested meeting time within the regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours. A system for scheduling a meeting includes: a computing system programmed to store an identification of a prospective meeting participant's regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours on a memory device for use by meeting scheduling software, also stored on the memory device, for generating a suggested meeting time within the regular work hours and typically-worked off-work hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Haynes, Lin Sun
  • Publication number: 20110295640
    Abstract: A schedule generating processor-implemented method is provided, whereby the method includes determining a plurality of resources for scheduling an event and extracting, from either one or more processor devices, manually entered data, or from a memory device, scheduling information corresponding to each of the determined plurality of resources. A list of available appointment time-slots are generated based on the extracted scheduling information corresponding to each of the selected plurality of resources. One or more scheduling time-slots are then generated from one or more overlapping time slots associated with the list of available appointment time-slots, whereby the generated one or more scheduling time-slots each include a start-time and an end-time determined from any adjacent overlapping appointment time-slots from among the generated list of available appointment time-slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Edward P. Valentini, Michael McGrath
  • Publication number: 20110295642
    Abstract: Interacting digitally communicating devices cooperate to schedule future meetings include a capability to handle conditional acceptance of meeting requests. For example, a conditional acceptance may be subject to Boolean logic functions of the acceptance status(es) of other meeting invitees (e.g., the condition that another specific one or more invitees also accept the meeting request).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: David V. MACFARLANE, Neil P. ADAMS, Christopher R. WORMALD
  • Publication number: 20110295641
    Abstract: A method of sharing a calendar between a plurality of users, the calendar being capable of holding one or more events. The method comprises providing the calendar to each of said plurality of users; allowing any of said plurality of users to add to the calendar any of a new event, a change to an event and a message relating to an event; and providing any new event, change to an event or message added by a user to the other users. A change to an event may comprise a change to at least one of a start time of the event, an end time of the event, a description of the event, a status of the event, whether the event is to be repeated and the persons attending the event. At least one of an identification of a user who made a change, a time at which a change was made, a description of a change, a user comment relating to a change and an identification of the event before the change may be displayed for a selected event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Bertrand Guiheneuf, Sébastien Maury, Olivier Gutknecht, Julien Jalon
  • Publication number: 20110288901
    Abstract: A service uses internet, intranet or other network based deployment and technologies to encourage and facilitate customers 12 in losing weight or achieving some other desired goal. The weigh-in service uses a novel online scheduler 24 and tracks customer weigh-ins, graphical and pictorial tracking of these weigh-ins, online food and nutritional information, reinforcing emails, and a consultant who “cheerleads” her/his customer to successful weight loss. Customers who seek additional motivation will be able to use a wifi scale at weigh-ins to keep them on track. The overall program is aimed at providing quick bursts of support, referred to as “cheerleading” for a customer on any type of diet, and/or exercise regimen or other goal based program. The consultant will refocus the customer to keep the customer on their program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Wild Angel Cozy Company LLC
    Inventor: Melissa L. Mellen
  • Patent number: 8065362
    Abstract: There is provided a system for facilitating updating of stored event data of a scheduling device, the event data adaptable for use in generating an event reminder message for receipt by a client resulting in corresponding response data in response to the event reminder message, the system comprising: an upload module configured for receiving a data package including the event data and at least one of a client data and service provider data associated therewith; a filter module configured for removing unnecessary data from the data package in accordance with predetermined filter settings to provide a modified data package; a communication module for configuring the modified data package for transmission to a server for use in generating the event reminder message; and a download module configured for receiving a notification package including the response data translated into a native language format of the scheduling device suitable for updating the stored event data, wherein the notification package is subse
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: promptALERT Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Greven, Blair Taylor
  • Patent number: 8065175
    Abstract: A system and method for relational scheduling of people and/or resources includes a process for relational scheduling of people and/or resources whereby a user desiring to schedule a meeting is provided the ability to designate participants and/or meeting resources desired for a meeting, and to give each desired participant and/or meeting resource an importance rating/score, including the ability to designate a given participant and/or meeting resource as mandatory. The user also defines meeting scheduling criteria including a meeting length and a meeting date window. This meeting request data is then used to search participant and/or meeting resource availability data to determine one or more meeting times within the user defined meeting scheduling criteria provide not only the mandatory meeting requirements, but also maximize the non-mandatory participant and/or resource rating/score for the meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventor: Sean P. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110270765
    Abstract: A method for self dispatching services of tradesmen or other service providers. The invention allows consumers to order services based on the availability of specific servicemen working in the vicinity, based on availability of specific servicemen that the consumer wishes to use, based on urgency or lack of urgency of their service needs, and based on the price which is set by the servicemen based on urgency criteria and availability to do work in a particular area or particular time frame. The present invention also allows servicemen to work more efficiently by grouping their jobs in close proximity in time and area and by allowing them to fill in slow work times with lower urgency, lower priced work. The system allows servicemen to advertise their service and consumers to rate the quality of work they receive from specific servicemen. The invention allows consumers to find real time service by taking advantage of a vendor queue line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: John Burdin
  • Publication number: 20110270643
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for online marketing, scheduling and booking of services. In one example embodiment, the system for scheduling and booking of service appointments includes an inventory database containing schedule of booked and available service appointments associated with a plurality of service providers. The system further includes a calendar-based service provider interface for creating a schedule of services provided by the service provider and storing the schedule in the inventory database. The system further includes a calendar-based service user interface for displaying schedules of available service appointments and booking one or more service appointments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Dana Reichman
  • Patent number: 8050954
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for scheduling a meeting. An interface is provided to allow a user to input information regarding a meeting into a computer. The interface may include an alternative attendee data field to allow a user to provide alternative attendee information. The alternative attendee information may indicate whether an invitee to a meeting may send an alternate person to the meeting in place of the invitee. The alternative attendee information may be received using the interface, and then stored and associated with other data concerning the meeting being scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Marcie L. Leist
  • Patent number: 8051380
    Abstract: A shared electronic calendar modification notice provides calendar users accessing the calendar with notification that a calendar modification has been made by another calendar user. A shared electronic calendar user accessing the shared calendar is identified. Upon identifying a shared electronic calendar user, calendar modifications that are new to the shared electronic calendar user are identified. Modification notices are then output to communicate the new calendar modifications to the calendar user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Eugene Knapp, Doreen Nelson Grieb, Todd Haugen
  • Patent number: 8041595
    Abstract: A networked computer system provides various services for assisting users in locating, and establishing contact relationships with, other users. For example, in one embodiment, users can identify other users based on their affiliations with particular schools or other organizations. The system also provides a mechanism for a user to selectively establish contact relationships or connections with other users, and to grant permissions for such other users to view personal information of the user. The system may also include features for enabling users to identify contacts of their respective contacts. In addition, the system may automatically notify users of personal information updates made by their respective contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Robertson, Warren W. Adams
  • Patent number: 8036926
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting calendar events based on examining the content of a user's recent e-mail activity. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a scheduling manager assembles a keyword list, wherein the keyword list includes a collection of keywords with associated weights for each keyword among the collection of keywords. If the scheduling manager detects at least two conflicting calendar events scheduled within a calendar program, the scheduling manager searches the at least two conflicting calendar events for at least one keyword on the keyword list. The scheduling manager computes a keyword weight score for each of the at least two conflicting calendar events. If one calendar event among the at least two conflicting calendar events has a highest keyword weight score, the scheduling manager schedules the one calendar event within the calendar program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald F. McBrearty, Shawn P. Mullen, Jessica C. Murillo, Johnny M. Shieh
  • Publication number: 20110231220
    Abstract: An on-line invention disclosure system includes a user computer, a server and a database coupled to the server. The server provides user screens to the user to prompt the users to provide disclosure information to the server. The server receives the disclosure information from the users and stores the information in the database while allowing access to the database after storing the information on the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Anuradha Narasimhaswamy Melkote, Damian Porcari, Kelly Anne Slank
  • Patent number: 8024212
    Abstract: HOPS™, which stands for “Hands On Proactive Strategy” is software and a business management method about making routine things happen routinely, and about having everyone be able to find the information they need, when they need it, to do the job they need to do. The solution to information sharing (and other closely related process) problems is an elegant set of software combined with behaviors that help the organization share information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Pamla Jo McCroby Vinther
  • Patent number: 8019065
    Abstract: Interacting digitally communicating devices cooperate to schedule future meetings include a capability to handle conditional acceptance of meeting requests. For example, a conditional acceptance may be subject to Boolean logic functions of the acceptance status(es) of other meeting invitees (e.g., the condition that another specific one or more invitees also accept the meeting request).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: David V. MacFarlane, Neil P. Adams, Christopher R. Wormald
  • Patent number: 8015049
    Abstract: Improved approaches for providing on-line appointments over a network are disclosed. The network is, for example, a global computer network such as the Internet. According to one aspect, users are able to schedule appointments over the network by on-line means. The users are typically individuals or service providers. Service providers are often those businesses that offer appointments to schedule their services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: S.F. IP Properties 61 LLC
    Inventors: Tommy H. Tam, Ricky Mok, Sherman C. Luk
  • Patent number: 8005703
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for event scheduling forecasting for a calendaring system using historically collected event data. In the solution, metrics collected from historic events can be utilized to compute event duration for scheduled and events being scheduled. Metrics such as number of attendees, quantity of topics being covered, and meeting duration can be collected. Metrics can be aggregated from one or more systems including, but not limited to, calendaring systems and presentation systems. A forecasting engine can utilize metrics to compute a duration for events which can be used to advise event coordinators, adjust scheduled event times, and notify of potential schedule conflicts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Al Chakra, Siddharth P. Desai, Zachary J. H. Marlow, Tejaswini R. Patil
  • Publication number: 20110202383
    Abstract: An electronic infrastructure consisting a plurality of client mobile devices, a distribution server and a media creator computer, wherein the client mobile devices present interactive media upon user request. The plurality of client mobile devices support dynamic screen display and, contain a plurality of soft keys. The distribution server that supports delivery of interactive media to the client mobile devices. The media creator is a personal computer that generates interactive media and sends them to the distribution server for distribution. A network such as combination of Internet and mobile network communicatively couple the plurality of client mobile devices, distribution server and personal computer (media creator). The personal computer sends interactive media to the distribution server, the distribution server processes and sends the interactive media to the client mobile device and the client mobile devices presents the interactive media in a series of screens to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: BINDU RAMA RAO
  • Patent number: 7979294
    Abstract: A method of providing a healthcare provider the ability to schedule an appointment including receiving a patient's requested appointment from an appointment scheduler; receiving an initial visit type from the appointment scheduler corresponding to the requested appointment; scheduling the requested appointment when it is determined that the requested appointment corresponds to a basic appointment; and providing the appointment scheduler with a set of decision support tools and responding to the requested appointment, when it is determined that the requested appointment corresponds to a complex appointment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Epic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Larsen, Sameer Grover, Marie C. Derose
  • Publication number: 20110153380
    Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting video assets. A first appointment message from a first service provider system relating to a first appointment with a user is received. Also, a second appointment message from a second service provider system relating to a second appointment with the user. A first calendar entry is generated in response to the first appointment message. A second calendar entry is generated in response to the second appointment message. User profile information corresponding to the user is retrieved to determine one or more user devices that are specified to receive the calendar entries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: Umashankar Velusamy
  • Patent number: 7953622
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-usable medium for scheduling a meeting, determining a set of policies for selecting a replacement meeting moderator if an original meeting moderator is not present in the meeting, specifying the a set of policies for reestablishing control of the meeting to the original meeting moderator when the original meeting moderator rejoins the meeting, deciding whether to implement a default policy or a custom policy as the set of policies. The default policy includes examining a user directory, establishing a hierarchy ranking of a collection of meeting members, where the original meeting moderator holds the highest rank, and designating a member of the collection of meeting members as a replacement meeting moderator, where the member holds a next highest rank in the hierarchy ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Ogle, Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Susan D. Shaye
  • Publication number: 20110106573
    Abstract: An improved meeting scheduling system that automatically proposes a reduced cost available meeting room for a meeting based on the invited attendees and locations of available meeting rooms. A reduced cost available meeting room may be the meeting room to which the attendees as a whole are presumed to be nearest in distance at the time the meeting begins. In addition to the proximity or distance of each of the attendees to the available meeting rooms, other relevant data concerning the attendees may be factored by the meeting scheduling system such as the hierarchy of an attendee in relation to the other attendees, attendee security access privileges to a particular location, and the distances between attendees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick McNamara