Methods and systems for managing shared tasks

• US 20070011678A1
• Filed: 07/07/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jabbour, Fadi, Lee, David, Patel, Labhesh, Lee, Johnny
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,671 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A template that lists a shared task is received at a first device. The template is also distributed in parallel to a plurality of other devices. When information indicating that the action has been performed is received, the template is updated at the first device and also at the other devices to indicate that the action has been performed.

Claims

1. A method for managing shared tasks, said method comprising:

receiving at a first device a template comprising a listing that includes a task, wherein said task is common to a plurality of individuals and comprises an action that when completed by one of said individuals is completed for all of said individuals, and wherein said template is distributed in parallel to a plurality of devices associated with said individuals;

receiving information identifying that said action has been performed; and

updating said template at said first device to indicate said action has been performed, wherein said information identifying that said action has been performed is also received at said plurality of devices so that said template is also updated at said plurality of devices.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing information that is read from a memory of said first device into fields of said template.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said action is performed using an automated system.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said automated system has voice capability.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein performing said action is subject to a condition, wherein said method further comprises verifying that said condition is feasible.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein performing said action is subject to a condition, wherein said method further comprises:

retrieving information that constrains said condition; and

updating said template with said information that constrains said condition.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an alert when a condition applied to an external agent associated with performing said action is satisfied.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said listing further comprises a second task that is common to said individuals, wherein said second task comprises an action that is independently performed by each of said individuals.

9. A computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to execute a method of managing shared tasks, said method comprising:

displaying a template comprising a listing that includes a task, wherein said task is common to a plurality of individuals and comprises an action that when completed by one of said individuals is completed for all of said individuals, and wherein said template is distributed in parallel to a plurality of devices associated with said individuals; and

updating said template to indicate that an action has been performed, wherein said template is also updated at said plurality of devices.

10. The computer-usable medium of claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

reading information from memory; and

writing said information into fields of said template.

11. The computer-usable medium of claim 9 wherein said method further comprises prompting an automated system to perform said action.

12. The computer-usable medium of claim 11 wherein said automated system has voice capability.

13. The computer-usable medium of claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

identifying a parameter associated with performing said action; and

prompting a search to determine whether said parameter is practicable.

14. The computer-usable medium of claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

causing an external agent associated with performing said action to be monitored; and

providing an alert when a condition applied to said external agent is satisfied.

15. The computer-usable medium of claim 9 wherein said listing further comprises a second task that is common to said individuals, wherein said second task comprises an action that is independently performed by each of said individuals.

16. A system for managing shared tasks, said system comprising:

means for listing a task that is common to a plurality of individuals and comprises an action that when completed by one of said individuals is completed for all of said individuals, wherein said listing is distributed in parallel to a plurality of devices associated with said individuals;

means for identifying that said action has been performed; and

means for updating said listing to indicate said action has been performed, wherein said listing is also updated at said plurality of devices.

17. A system for managing shared tasks, said system comprising:

a template generator that generates a list that includes a task that is common to a plurality of individuals and comprises an action that when completed by one of said individuals is completed for all of said individuals, wherein said list is distributed in parallel to a plurality of devices associated with said individuals; and

an intelligent scheduler that receives information identifying that said action has been performed and updates said list to indicate said action has been performed, wherein said list is also updated at said plurality of devices.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said intelligent scheduler places information that is read from memory into fields associated with said task.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said intelligent scheduler prompts an automated system to perform said action.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said intelligent scheduler verifies that a condition placed on said action is feasible.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said intelligent scheduler provides an alert when a condition applied to an external agent associated with performing said action is satisfied.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein said list further comprises a second task that is common to said individuals, wherein said second task comprises an action that is independently performed by each of said individuals.