EVENT SCHEDULING METHOD AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of scheduling events involving a plurality of participants, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of constraints associated with at least one of the plurality of participants;
generating based on a first constraint of the plurality a first template comprising pairings between the participants;
generating based on another constraint of the plurality a second template comprising pairings between the participants;
reconciling the first and second templates;
populating a remaining field of the reconciled template;
automatically associating the reconciled template with a plurality of time slots associated with at least one venue at which the events are to take place; and
outputting a schedule comprising the pairings assigned to the time slots.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product automatically schedule events by generating templates of participant pairings based on scheduling stipulations, preferences or other constraints. The generated templates do not typically include any time or location information, which is later combined with the template to form the schedule. Constraints used to generate the template pairings may include secondary match-ups, or pairings, that do not meet a primary preference of a participant. Other constraints may include weighted time slot designators, repeat pairings, crossover games between different leagues, as well as meeting times. The template feature enables constraints to be satisfied before the parings are associated with times.
21 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A computer implemented method of scheduling events involving a plurality of participants, the method comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of constraints associated with at least one of the plurality of participants; generating based on a first constraint of the plurality a first template comprising pairings between the participants; generating based on another constraint of the plurality a second template comprising pairings between the participants; reconciling the first and second templates; populating a remaining field of the reconciled template; automatically associating the reconciled template with a plurality of time slots associated with at least one venue at which the events are to take place; and outputting a schedule comprising the pairings assigned to the time slots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19)
-
-
12. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a processor; a memory accessible to the processor, the memory including a database storing data pertaining to a plurality of participants to be scheduled in an event; and program code executable by the processor and configured to receive a plurality of constraints associated with at least one of the plurality of participants, to generate a first template based upon a constraint of the plurality and a second template based on another constraint of the plurality, wherein the templates comprise pairings between the participants, to reconcile the first and second templates, to associate the reconciled template with a plurality of time slots associated with at least one venue at which the events are to take place, and to output a schedule comprising the pairings assigned to the time slots. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
20. A program product, comprising:
-
program code configured to receive a plurality of constraints associated with at least one of a plurality of participants, to generate a first template based upon a constraint of the plurality and a second template based on another constraint of the plurality, wherein the templates comprise pairings between the participants, to reconcile the first and second templates, to associate the reconciled template with a plurality of time slots associated with at least one venue at which the events are to take place, and to output a schedule comprising the pairings assigned to the time slots; and a computer readable medium bearing the program code.
-
Specification