Intelligent free-time search

US7747459B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for performing free-time searches that exploit information of the type used with electronic calendars. By leveraging advanced calendaring system information and using location, other context information such as corporate policy, legal constraints, and technology constraints, and user-specific preferences to provide a complete picture of a person's availability, the functionality (and therefore the value) of scheduling systems in increased, resulting in an ability to schedule meetings with more accuracy and less rework. Various allowable participation types for meeting invitees may be specified, and each invitee's availability is determined accordingly. Location-sensitive travel times (including optional user-specific travel time adjustments) are used in preferred embodiments when in-person participation is required.