SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING EVENTS IN A MULTIPLE SCHEDULE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20100269049A1
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mom's Office Suite, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mom's Office Suite, Inc.
• Inventors: FEARON, REGEN
• Application Number:
  US12/578,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20100269049A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

Provided are a system and method for managing events in a multiple schedule environment. In one example, the method includes receiving a user selection identifying an event that is to be scheduled, wherein the user selection identifies the event from a plurality of pre-defined event types. User data is received identifying at least a date and a time corresponding to the event. A message for a recipient is created that includes the time and date inserted into pre-defined text corresponding to the event type. The message is sent to the recipient. A determination is made as to whether a reply has been received from the recipient and whether the reply is affirmative or negative. A status of the event is updated based on the step of determining and a designated individual is notified of the status.

Claims

1. A method for managing events in a multiple schedule environment comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a user selection identifying an event that is to be scheduled, wherein the user selection identifies the event from a plurality of pre-defined event types;

opening, by the computing device, the event as an entry in a schedule;

receiving, by the computing device, user data identifying at least a date and a time corresponding to the event;

creating, by the computing device, a message for a recipient, wherein the message includes the time and date inserted into pre-defined text corresponding to the event type;

sending, by the computing device, the message to the recipient;

determining, by the computing device, whether a reply has been received from the recipient;

determining, by the computing device, whether the reply is affirmative or negative if the reply has been received;

updating, by the computing device, a status of the event based on the steps of determining; and

notifying, by the computing device, a designated individual of the status.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the event type is a baby sitting appointment.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising selecting the recipient from a list of recipients associated with the event type.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

if the reply is received and determined to be negative, selecting a next recipient from the list of recipients;

creating a second message for the next recipient, wherein the second message includes the time and date inserted into pre-defined text corresponding to the event type; and

sending the second message to the next recipient.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising repeating the steps of selecting, creating, and sending until either an affirmative reply is received or all recipients on the list of recipients have been sent a message without an affirmative reply being received.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

selecting the recipient from a list of recipients;

if no reply is received after a pre-defined period of time, selecting a next recipient from the list of recipients;

creating a second message for the next recipient, wherein the second message includes the time and date inserted into pre-defined text corresponding to the event type; and

sending the second message to the next recipient.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the event type is a charity event.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising receiving user data identifying the recipient and a plurality of other recipients corresponding to the event, wherein the steps of creating, sending, and determining are performed for each of the plurality of other recipients.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a certain number of spaces are available for the recipients, and wherein notifying the designated individual of the status includes notifying the designated individual if a certain portion of the spaces are still available.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retrieving contact information corresponding to the recipient from a database; and

applying the contract information to the message prior to sending the message to the recipient.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein notifying the designated individual of the status includes:

creating a message for the designated individual, wherein the message includes information corresponding to the recipient, the event, and whether the reply was affirmative or negative; and

sending the message to the designated individual.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising, if the reply is received and determined to be affirmative, updating the event with information corresponding to the recipient.

13. A computing device comprising:

a network interface;

a processor coupled to the network interface;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a plurality of instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor, the instructions including instructions for;

receiving user data identifying at least a date and a time corresponding to an event;

retrieving a preformatted message from the memory, wherein the message is retrieved from a plurality of preformatted messages based on an event type of the event;

retrieving an address of a recipient for the message from the memory, wherein the recipient is selected based on one of a user selection and a recipient list associated with the event type;

inserting the time, date, and address into the message;

sending the message to the recipient via the network interface;

determining whether a reply has been received from the recipient;

updating a status of the event based on the step of determining; and

notifying, by the computing device, a designated individual of the status.

14. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising instructions for determining whether the reply is affirmative or negative if the reply has been received.

15. The computing device of claim 14 further comprising instructions for sending a message to a second recipient if the reply is negative.

16. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising instructions for:

determining whether a predefined period of time has elapsed if the reply has not been received; and

sending a message to a second recipient if the predefined period of time has elapsed.

17. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising instructions for receiving user input to customize the preformatted message.

18. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising instructions for sending a plurality of messages to a plurality of recipients.

19. The computing device of claim 13 further comprising instructions for presenting a customizable dashboard to a user.

20. A computing device for managing events in a multiple schedule environment comprising:

means for receiving a user selection identifying an event that is to be scheduled, wherein the user selection identifies the event from a plurality of pre-defined event types;

means for opening the event as an entry in a schedule;

means for receiving user data identifying at least a date and a time corresponding to the event;

means for creating a message for a recipient, wherein the message includes the time and date inserted into pre-defined text corresponding to the event type;

means for sending the message to the recipient;

means for determining whether a reply has been received from the recipient;

means for determining whether the reply is affirmative or negative if the reply has been received;

means for updating a status of the event based on the steps of determining; and

means for notifying a designated individual of the status.