Method and apparatus for optimizing, managing and scheduling personal relationships

• US 6,980,870 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mimi T. Mok, Philippe Laik
• Original Assignee: Mimi T. Mok, Philippe Laik
• Inventors: Laik, Philippe, Mok, Mimi T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US09/649,259
• Time in Patent Office: 1,947 Days
• Field of Search: 700/16, 700/90, 700/17, 705 8- 10
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus to assist a user in optimizing a relationship with a contact person. The method includes inputting information regarding the relationship into the apparatus, classifying the relationship into at least one class, assigning a contact frequency to the relationship, providing the user with information about the relationship based on the at least one class, and contacting the user at the contact frequency with a first message regarding the relationship. The apparatus includes a storage device and a processor connected to the storage device. The storage device stores a first input from the user regarding the relationship, classifications for different types of relationships, information for each classification, contact frequencies for each type of relationship, and a program for controlling the processor. The processor is operative with the program and adapted to receive the first input from the user regarding the relationship, classify the relationship, assign a contact frequency to the relationship, provide to the user information based on the classification of the relationship and contact the user at the contact frequency with a first message regarding the relationship.

Claims

1. A method for using a relationship manager apparatus to assist a user in optimizing a relationship with a contact person, the method comprising:

inputting information regarding the relationship into the apparatus;

classifying the relationship into at least one class;

assigning a contact frequency to the relationship, said contact frequency being chosen to optionally cultivate said relationship;

providing the user with information about the relationship based on the at least one class; and

contacting the user at the contact frequency with a first message regarding the relationship, said first message being in the form of a reminder providing the user with information unique to said relationship.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting information further comprises inputting information about the contact person.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first message comprises information regarding the contact person.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting information further comprises inputting information about the user.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first message comprises information regarding the user.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user assigns the contact frequency.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus assigns the contact frequency.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the user reassigns the contact frequency.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the classification step further comprises classifying the relationship into a plurality of classes.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of classes comprises at least one master class and at least one sub class.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a means for inputting details of an action taken by the user in response to the first message.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein after the contacting step, the method farther comprising:

the user inputting details of an action taken in response to the first message; and

after the user inputs the details of an action taken in response to the first message, contacting the user at the contact frequency with a second message regarding the relationship, the second message further comprising the details of an action taken in response to the first message.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises educational information and advice based on the at least one class.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises gift recommendations.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises activity suggestions.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises suggested topics of conversation.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises prewritten correspondence.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising contacting the contact person with a second message.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second message comprises a means for inputting information regarding the relationship.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of inputting information further comprises a relationship expert inputting information.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message comprises information regarding a vendor.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising providing access to the vendor.

23. An apparatus to assist a user in optimizing a relationship with a contact person, the apparatus comprising:

a storage device;

a processor connected to the storage device;

the storage device storing

a first input from the user regarding the relationship;

classifications for different types of relationships;

information for each classification;

contact frequencies for each type of relationship; and

,

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program adapted to

receive the first input from the user regarding the relationship;

classify the relationship;

assign a contact frequency to the relationship, said contact frequency being chosen to optimally cultivate said relationship;

provide to the user information based on the classification of the relationship; and

contact the user at the contact frequency with a first message regarding the relationship, said first message being in the form of a reminder providing the user with information unique to said relationship.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to receive a second in-put from the user regarding information about the contact person, and the storage device further stores the second input.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the first message comprises information regarding the contact person.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to receive a second input from the user regarding information about the user, and the storage device further stores the second input.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message comprises information regarding the user.

28. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein

the program is further adapted to

receive a second input from the user regarding the contact frequency;

and

reassign the contact frequency to the relationship based on the second input; and

the storage device further stores the second input.

29. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to classify the relationship into a plurality of classes.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the plurality of classes comprises at least one master class and at least one sub-class.

31. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to receive a second input from the user regarding the details of an action taken by the user in response to the first message, and the storage device further stores the second input.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the program is further adapted to contact the user at the contact frequency with a second message regarding the relationship, the second message further comprising the details of an action taken in response to the first message.

33. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message comprises information based on the at least one class.

34. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message further comprises gift recommendations.

35. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message further comprises activity suggestions.

36. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message further comprises suggested topics of conversation.

37. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message further comprises prewritten correspondence.

38. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to contact the other person with a second message.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the program is further adapted to receive a second input from the contact person regarding the relationship and the storage device further stores the second input.

40. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the program is further adapted to receive a second input from the relationship expert and the storage device further stores the second input.

41. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatus is connected to a remote processor.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the first message comprises a link to the second processor.

43. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first message comprises information about a vendor.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the processor is linked to the vendor.