Patent US6035278A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6035278A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for schedule and task management
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-08
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Granted: 2000-03-07
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Expires: 2017-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided for scheduling and time management. The invention is adapted for use with computer systems, including intranet and Internet systems. The schedule owner schedule tasks and appointments with a scheduling tool. A threshold amount indicating the total amount of meetings or other interruptions the schedule owner prefers during a time period is selected. This threshold amount is defined according to number, time, type, or scheduler. A scheduler accesses the schedule with the scheduling tool to search for un-scheduled times in which to set a meeting. If such meeting exceeds the threshold amount, a signal is given by the scheduling tool. Alternative embodiments permit or prohibit the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold. The invention is also operable as a group scheduling application. The schedules of any number of prospective attendees are compared to locate a time at which all of said users are available. A meeting may then be scheduled at that time. The scheduling tool signals the scheduler if the meeting exceeds the threshold amount of any of the prospective attendees. The invention permits the schedule owner to manage the amount of time required to complete a task. The schedule owner selects the amount of time required to perform the task. The scheduling tool displays an indicator showing a remaining amount of the selected time. Additionally, the scheduling tool may be configured to automatically connect the scheduler to one of an email, voice mail, or computer messaging.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven F. Mansour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/02; G06Q10/025; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; G06Q10/1093; G06Q10/1097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising the steps of: in a scheduling tool, a schedule owner dynamically allocating a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; and a scheduler accessing said schedule owner's schedule with said scheduling tool; wherein when said scheduler schedules a meeting with said schedule owner, said scheduling tool signals said scheduler if said threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising the steps of: in a scheduling tool, a schedule owner dynamically allocating a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; and a scheduler accessing said schedule owner's schedule with said scheduling tool; wherein when said scheduler schedules a meeting with said schedule owner, said scheduling tool signals said scheduler if said threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said signal is at least any one of a text, graphical display, visual display, sound, animation, video display, or voice message.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool prohibiting the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool permitting the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold if predetermined schedule owner preferences are met by said meeting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: said scheduling tool accessing schedules of a plurality of schedule owners; and said scheduling tool comparing said schedules to locate a time at which all of said schedule owners are free; wherein a meeting may be scheduled in said free time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: said schedule owner dynamically allocating the amount of time required to perform a task; and the scheduling tool displaying a visual indicator showing a remaining amount of said allocated time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing at least one of a visual or audio display of said schedule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool automatically connecting said scheduler to at least one of an email, voice mail, or computer messaging application when said threshold has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising the steps of: a schedule owner dynamically allocating a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; a scheduler accessing schedules of said schedule owner with a scheduling tool; and said scheduling tool comparing said accessed schedules to locate times at which all schedule owners are free; wherein when said scheduler schedules a meeting during said free time with said schedule owners, said scheduling tool signals said scheduler if a selected threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising the steps of: a schedule owner dynamically allocating a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; a scheduler accessing schedules of said schedule owner with a scheduling tool; and said scheduling tool comparing said accessed schedules to locate times at which all schedule owners are free; wherein when said scheduler schedules a meeting during said free time with said schedule owners, said scheduling tool signals said scheduler if a selected threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said signal is at least one of a text, graphical display, visual display, sound, animation, video display, or voice message.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool prohibiting the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool permitting the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: said schedule owner dynamically allocating the amount of time required to perform a task; and the scheduling tool displaying a visual indicator showing a remaining amount of said allocated time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing at least one of a visual or audio display of said schedule.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of the scheduling tool automatically connecting said scheduler to at least one of an email, voice mail, or computer messaging application when said threshold has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising: a scheduling tool for receiving a schedule owner's schedule, wherein said schedule owner may dynamically allocate a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; an interface for a scheduler to access said schedule owner's schedule with said scheduling tool; and a signaling module in said scheduling tool for signaling said scheduler if said threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded when said scheduler schedules a meeting with said schedule owner.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for scheduling and time management on a computer network, comprising: a scheduling tool for receiving a schedule owner's schedule, wherein said schedule owner may dynamically allocate a threshold amount of meetings in said schedule owner's schedule, wherein said threshold amount of meetings is the total amount of meetings or other interruptions that the schedule owner prefers during a time interval; an interface for a scheduler to access said schedule owner's schedule with said scheduling tool; and a signaling module in said scheduling tool for signaling said scheduler if said threshold amount of meetings has been reached or exceeded when said scheduler schedules a meeting with said schedule owner.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said signalling module signal is at least one of a text, graphical display, visual display, sound, animation, video display, or voice message.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 16, said scheduling tool further comprising a scheduling module for prohibiting the scheduling of a meeting in excess of said threshold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 16, said scheduling tool further comprising a group scheduling module for accessing schedules of a plurality of schedule owners and for comparing said schedules to locate a time at which all of said schedule owners are free, wherein a meeting may be scheduled in said free time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 16, further comprising a connecting module for automatically connecting said scheduler to at least one of an email, voice mail, or computer messaging application when said threshold has been reached or exceeded.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16, further comprising: a task module for dynamically allocating the amount of time required to perform an assignment; and a visual indicator for displaying a remaining amount of said allocated time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |