Systems and Methods for Providing Files in Relation to a Calendar Event

• US 20150081369A1
• Filed: 04/27/2012
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Sarrazin, Jacou, Gingras, Marc Reddy, Currim, Osman, Fritzley, Eric Allan
• Granted Patent: US 10,475,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.18
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1093 Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for providing suggested files in relation to a calendar event. An electronic device receives an input related to the calendar event. Calendar event information, such as attendees, subject, and the date, are obtained. A search is performed for files related to the calendar event information. The related files can be ordered or ranked according to confidence values. The files are then displayed as suggestions. Links between suggested files and the calendar event are also formed.

Claims

1. A method performed by an electronic device for providing files suggested to be relevant to a calendar event, comprising:

receiving an input related to the calendar event;

obtaining calendar event information;

performing a search for a file having information matching or similar to the calendar event information;

if the file is found, determining the file to be relevant to the calendar event; and

displaying the file.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the file is any one of an email, a document, a pictures, a video, a task, a media file, and a presentation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendar event information includes one or more attendees, a subject, and an attachment.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendar event information includes a date of the calendar event.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendar event information includes one or more attendees, the file is an email, and the search includes searching for the email that has the one or more attendees listed as at least one of a sender and a recipient in the email.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein determining the file to be relevant to the calendar event comprises assigning a confidence value to the email based on a number of attendees that are listed as at least one of the sender and the recipient.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendar event information includes an event subject, the file is an email, and the search includes searching for the email that has an email subject or email text that matches the event subject.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein determining the file to be relevant to the calendar event comprises assigning a confidence value to the email based on a number of matching words between the event subject and the email subject, or the email text.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein determining the file to be relevant to the calendar event comprises assigning a confidence value to the email based on an order of words in the email subject or the email text, compared to an order of words in the event subject.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendar event information includes an event subject and an event attachment, the file is an email, and the search includes searching for the email includes an email attachment, wherein a name of the email attachment matches a name of the event attachment, or the name of the email attachment matches the event subject.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein determining the file to be relevant to the calendar event comprises assigning a confidence value to the email based on a file extension of the event attachment and a file extension of the email attachment.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the search is for multiple files each related to the calendar event, and wherein a confidence value is assigned to each of the files that are related to the calendar event

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the confidence value of a given suggested file is higher as a date associated with the given suggested file is closer to a date of the calendar event.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the files are displayed in order according to their respective confidence values.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the files that are displayed each have a respective confidence value above a threshold value.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a calendar event graphical user interface (GUI) including a control to display the file suggested to be relevant to the calendar event, and wherein the input is a selection of the control; and

, after receiving the input, displaying a suggested relevant files GUI that includes the file.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing a link between the file and the calendar event.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the link is stored in a links database.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the link is defined by an entity reference for the calendar event, an entity reference for the file, and a relationship type, and wherein the entity reference for the calendar event includes a calendar domain and a unique ID of the calendar event, and the entity reference for the file includes a file domain and a unique ID of the file.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein performing the search for the file includes searching a links database, the links database including one or more links between the calendar event and the file.

21. A graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying files suggested to be relevant to a calendar event, comprising:

a calendar event GUI displaying a viewing menu, the viewing menu including a control to view a file suggested to be relevant to the calendar event;

wherein, after receiving a selection input for the control to view the file, a suggested relevant files GUI is displayed, the suggested relevant files GUI including the viewing menu and the file; and

wherein the control is configured to, after receiving the selection input, invoke a search for the file.

22. An electronic device configured to provide files suggested to be relevant to a calendar event, the electronic device having a processor configured to

receive an input related to the calendar event;

obtain calendar event information;

perform a search for a file having information matching or similar to the calendar event information;

if the file is found, determine the file to be relevant to the calendar event; and

display the file.