Calendar-driven application technique for preparing responses to incoming events

US6640230B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Geoffrey D. Alexander · Chapel Hill, US
• J. Smith Doss · Raleigh, US
• Renee M. Kovales · Cary, US
• David M. Ogle · Cary, US
• Diane P. Pozefsky · Chapel Hill, US
• Robert J. Sundstrom · Cary, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 27, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 28, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S707/99943
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for using calendar events for users of electronic calendaring systems to prepare customized responses to incoming events (such as incoming electronic mail, voice calls, instant messages, etc.), where the response supplies information pertaining to the user. Electronic calendars are analyzed, and information from this analysis is stored in advance of detecting an incoming message. The stored information can then be used to quickly generate a response when a message does arrive. A multi-level hierarchy of calendar events is used, where a top level of the hierarchy is used for context events which have a relatively long duration and a lower level of the hierarchy is used for specific events which occur during context events. The calendar user may specify attribute values such as how the user can be reached; whether, and how often, the user checks his e-mail or voice mail; etc. Attribute values are hierarchically coalesced. Overrides may be provided, enabling a user to fine-tune his preferences. Use of the present invention enables other persons trying to contact a calendar owner to be informed of the calenda…