Patent EP1109121A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP1109121A2
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EP
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System and method of electronic mail-based event scheduling
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
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Filing: 2000-12-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2020-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An electronic mail-based event scheduling system (10) of the present invention includes a message parser (20) accessing an electronic mail message (16) received from a sender, extracting scheduling information therefrom, and storing the extracted scheduling information in a predetermined format in a globally accessible record (22). The globally accessible record (22) stores extracted scheduling information including event scheduler data, event data, resource data, and participant data. The system (10) also includes a schedule information database (60, 62, 68, 72, 84) and an event processing function accessing the globally accessible record (22) and the schedule information database, performing a function according to the data therein, and preparing and sending an outgoing electronic mail message to the sender and any affected event participant to acknowledge and report on the performed function.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Bobo Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; G06Q10/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An electronic mail-based event scheduling system,
comprising: a message parser accessing an electronic mail message
received from a sender, extracting scheduling information
therefrom, and storing the extracted scheduling information
in a predetermined format in a globally accessible record; the globally accessible record storing extracted
scheduling information including event scheduler data, event
data, resource data, and participant data; a schedule information database; and an event processing function accessing the globally
accessible record and the schedule information database,
function according to the data therein, and preparing and
sending an outgoing electronic mail message to the sender
and any affected event participant to acknowledge and report
on the performed function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises an event scheduler
accessing the globally accessible record, scheduling an
event according to the extracted scheduling information, and
storing information associated with the scheduled event in
the schedule information database, the event scheduler
further preparing and sending an outgoing electronic mail
message to the sender and any affected event participant to
acknowledge and report the scheduled event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
schedule information database comprises: a user schedule record for each user of the system
containing scheduled events for the user; and a resource schedule record for each resource containing
scheduled events for the resource.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
schedule information database comprises a user information
record for each user of the system containing user identity,
preferences, and access privileges of the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
schedule information database comprises an event record for
each scheduled event containing an event identifier, event
time data, participant data, and resource data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises an auto-scheduler
accessing the globally accessible record, obtaining a time
window, checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
window with the participants and resources, scheduling an
event by storing event data in the schedule information
database, and preparing and sending an electronic mail
message to each event participant announcing the scheduled
event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises a conflict detector
accessing the globally accessible record, obtaining a time
period, checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
period with the participants and resources, and preparing
and sending an electronic mail to the sender reporting
scheduling conflict data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises a schedule overrider
accessing the globally accessible record, scheduling an
event by storing event data in the schedule information
database regardless of participant schedule conflict, and
preparing and sending an electronic mail message to each
event participant announcing the scheduled event.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises an event canceller
accessing the globally accessible record, removing the
scheduled event from the schedule information database, and
preparing and sending an electronic mail message to each
event participant announcing event cancellation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises an event confirmer
accessing the globally accessible record, locating, in the
schedule information database, data associated with the
scheduled event described therein, confirming the sender's
participation in the scheduled event, and preparing and
sending an electronic mail message to the sender
acknowledging and reporting the event confirmation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises an event withdraw
process accessing the globally accessible record, locating,
in the schedule information database, data associated with
the scheduled event described therein, removing the sender
as a participant in the scheduled event, and preparing and
sending an electronic mail message to the sender
acknowledging and reporting the event withdrawal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises a schedule reporter
accessing the globally accessible record, locating, in the
schedule information database, schedule data associated with
the sender, and preparing and sending an electronic mail
message to the sender containing the user's scheduled
events.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises a remote preference
setter accessing the globally accessible record, locating,
in the schedule information database, preference data
associated with the sender, updating the sender's preference
data in the schedule information database, and preparing and
sending an electronic mail message to the sender reporting
on the success and failure of preference updates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
event processing function comprises a remote tool assistance
accessing the globally accessible record, locating, in the
schedule information database, preference data associated
with the sender, and preparing and sending an electronic
mail message to the sender containing help information in
response to the data in the globally accessible record and
the preference data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising: a message database storing electronic mail messages
destined for the system sent by the sender; and a new message checker scanning the message database for
new messages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system, as set forth in claim 15, further
comprising a virus checker checking for electronic viruses
in the electronic mail messages in the message database.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system, as set forth in claim 15, further
comprising a security checker verifying that the sender is
an authorized user of the system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system, as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a browser-based graphical user interface having a
data entry form operable to receive user input and prepare
an electronic mail message containing the user input
according to predetermined syntax and format requirements.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of electronic mail-based event
scheduling, comprising: receiving an electronic mail message sent by a sender
to a predetermined event scheduling system address; parsing the electronic mail message to extract
scheduling information therefrom, including event scheduler
data, event data, resource data, and participant data; processing the extracted scheduling information and
accessing schedule information stored in a schedule
information database, performing a function according to the
data therein, and preparing and sending an outgoing
electronic mail message to the sender and any affected event
participant to acknowledge and report on the performed
function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; scheduling an event according to the extracted
scheduling information; storing information associated with the scheduled event
in the schedule information database; and preparing and sending an outgoing electronic mail
message to the sender and any affected event participant to
acknowledge and report the scheduled event.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; obtaining a time window; checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
window with the participants and resources; scheduling an event by storing event data in the
schedule information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing the scheduled event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; obtaining a time period; checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
period with the participants and resources; and preparing and sending an electronic mail to the sender
reporting scheduling conflict data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; scheduling an event by storing event data in the
schedule information database regardless of participant
schedule conflict; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing the scheduled event.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; removing the scheduled event from the schedule
information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing event cancellation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; locating, in the schedule information database, data
associated with the scheduled event described therein; confirming the sender's participation in the scheduled
event; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender acknowledging and reporting the event confirmation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; locating, in the schedule information database, data
associated with the scheduled event described therein; removing the sender as a participant in the scheduled
event; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender acknowledging and reporting the event withdrawal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; locating, in the schedule information database,
schedule data associated with the sender; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender containing the user's scheduled events.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; locating, in the schedule information database,
preference data associated with the sender; updating the sender's preference data in the schedule
information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender reporting on the success and failure of preference
updates.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing a globally accessible record storing
extracted scheduling information; locating, in the schedule information database,
preference data associated with the sender; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender containing help information in response to the data
in the globally accessible record and the preference data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method, as set forth in claim 19, further
comprising: storing electronic mail messages destined for the
system sent by the sender in a message database; and scanning the message database for new messages.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method, as set forth in claim 30, further
comprising checking for electronic viruses in the electronic
mail messages in the message database.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method, as set forth in claim 30, further
comprising verifying that the sender is an authorized user
of the system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of scheduling events using electronic
mail, comprising: preparing an electronic mail message containing
scheduling information and sending it to a predetermined
event scheduling system address; receiving the electronic mail message and storing the
electronic mail message in a message database; accessing the message database and parsing the received
electronic mail message to extract scheduling information
therefrom, the scheduling information including event
scheduler data, event data, resource data, and participant
data; storing the extracted scheduling information in a
predetermined format in a globally accessible record; processing the scheduling information in the globally
accessible record and accessing schedule information stored
in a schedule information database, performing a function
according to the data therein, and preparing and sending an
outgoing electronic mail message to the sender and any
affected event participant to acknowledge and report on the
performed function.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; scheduling an event according to the extracted
scheduling information; storing scheduling information associated with the
scheduled event in an event record, sender's schedule
record, participant's schedule record, and a resource record
in the schedule information database; and preparing and sending an outgoing electronic mail
message to the sender and any affected event participant to
acknowledge and report the scheduled event.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; obtaining a time window stored in the sender's schedule
record in response to the time window being absent from the
globally accessible record; checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
window by accessing participants' schedule records and
resource records; scheduling an event by storing event data in the
schedule information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing the scheduled event.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; obtaining a time period stored in the sender's schedule
record in response to the time window being absent from the
globally accessible record; checking for scheduling conflicts within the time
period with the participants' schedule records and resource
records; and preparing and sending an electronic mail to the sender
reporting scheduling conflict data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; scheduling an event by storing event data in the
schedule information database regardless of participant
schedule conflict; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing the scheduled event.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; deleting an event record in the schedule information
database; removing the scheduled event from participants'
schedule records in the schedule information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to
each event participant announcing event cancellation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; locating, in the schedule information database, data
associated with the scheduled event described therein; confirming the sender's participation in the scheduled
event; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender acknowledging and reporting the event confirmation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; locating, in the schedule information database, data
associated with the scheduled event described therein; removing the sender as a participant in an event record
associated with the event; removing the event from the sender's schedule record;
and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender acknowledging and reporting the event withdrawal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; locating a schedule record of the sender, in the
schedule information database, schedule data associated with
the sender; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender containing the user's scheduled events.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; locating a schedule record of the sender, in the
schedule information database, containing preference data
associated with the sender; updating the sender's preference data in the a user
information record in the schedule information database; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender reporting on the success and failure of preference
updates.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, wherein
processing the scheduling information comprises: accessing the globally accessible record; locating a schedule record of the sender, in the
schedule information database, containing preference data
associated with the sender; and preparing and sending an electronic mail message to the
sender containing help information in response to the data
in the globally accessible record and the preference data.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, further
comprising checking for electronic viruses in the electronic
mail messages in the message database.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method, as set forth in claim 33, further
comprising verifying that the sender is an authorized user
of the system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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