Method and system for providing interactive event reminders

• US 7,327,834 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlington Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Sasore, Akin, Hiers, Sue Ellen
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US10/884,219
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.17, 379/88.22, 379/93.09, 379/88.13, 379/88.18, 455/41.2, 455/466, 455/566, 705/14
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A method and system are provided that communicate interactive event reminder messages across various communications platforms. According to one or more aspects of the present invention, an intended recipient for an event reminder message is defined by, for example, manual entry or interaction with a contacts list. The event reminder message content (e.g., text message, voice message, etc.) is defined. A date and time for transmitting the event reminder message is selected by, for example, manual entry or interaction with a calendar or scheduling application. A delivery method, e.g., telephony message, e-mail, SMS message, is selected for delivery of the event reminder message. The message is then transmitted to the intended recipient using the selected delivery method. Other aspects of the present invention provide for event reminder message receipt verification, and for the recipient to perform certain predefined actions in response to receipt of the event reminder message.

Claims

1. A method for sending an event reminder message, comprising:

a) defining an intended recipient for the event reminder message;

b) selecting a date and a time for transmitting the event reminder message to the intended recipient;

c) selecting at least one event reminder message delivery method from a plurality of delivery methods;

d) defining event reminder message content, wherein the event reminder message content is a message content type that may be delivered using the selected event reminder message delivery method; and

e) transmitting the event reminder message to the intended recipient using the selected event reminder message delivery method.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event reminder message content comprises recorded voice messages that may be selected from a list of pre-recorded voice messages or voice messages recorded by a system user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein voice messages recorded by the system user may be stored for subsequent use in the list of pre-recorded voice messages.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the voice message to the intended recipient through a telephony network.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving verification that the event reminder message has been received by the intended recipient.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising selecting an event reminder message receipt verification method for the event reminder message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to press one or more keys on a telephony keypad or to speak into a telephony device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising defining at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising selecting a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein defining the intended recipient comprises selecting the intended recipient from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein scheduling the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the event reminder message content comprises a text message.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the text message in an e-mail message delivered to the intended recipient through a data network, and wherein the e-mail message may be selected from a list of pre-configured e-mails or entered by a system user.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving verification that the event reminder has been received by the intended recipient.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising selecting an event reminder message receipt verification method for the event reminder.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to transmit a reply e-mail.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising defining at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising selecting a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein defining the intended recipient comprises selecting the intended recipient from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein scheduling the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein scheduling the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message further comprises defining a period of time for transmitting the event reminder message prior to the actual time of an event scheduled on a personal scheduling program.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the text message in a short message service (SMS) compatible message delivered to the intended recipient through a telephony network.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising receiving verification that the event reminder has been received by the intended recipient.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising selecting an event reminder message receipt verification method for the event reminder.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to transmit a reply SMS-compatible message.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising defining at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising selecting a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein defining the intended recipient comprises selecting the intended recipient from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein scheduling the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein scheduling the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message further comprises defining a period of time for transmitting the event reminder message prior to the actual time of an event scheduled on a personal scheduling program.

34. An interactive event reminder message communication system, comprising:

a) a user interface;

b) a memory storage unit;

c) an interface operably connected to a communications network; and

d) a processor, associated with the user interface, the memory storage unit and the communications interface, adapted to;

i) receive, from the user interface, a designation of an intended recipient for an event reminder message;

ii) receive, from the user interface, event reminder message content for an event reminder message;

iii) receive, from the user interface, a designation of a date and a time for transmitting the event reminder message to the intended recipient;

iv) receive, from the user interface, designation of at least one event reminder message delivery method from a plurality of delivery methods; and

v) transmit the event reminder message to the intended recipient using the designated event reminder message delivery method.

35. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 34, wherein the event reminder message content comprises recorded voice messages that may be selected from a list of pre-recorded voice messages or voice messages recorded by a system user.

36. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 35, wherein voice messages recorded by the system user may be stored for subsequent use in the list of pre-recorded voice messages.

37. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 36, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the voice message to the intended recipient through a telephony network.

38. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 37, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive verification that the event reminder message has been received by the intended recipient.

39. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 38, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of an event reminder message receipt verification method.

40. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 39, wherein the selected event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to press one or more keys on a telephony keypad or speak into a telephony device.

41. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 40, wherein the processor is further adapted to define at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

42. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 40, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

43. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 42, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

44. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 43, wherein intended recipient is selected from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

45. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 44, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

46. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 45, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message further comprises designating a period of time for transmitting the event reminder message prior to the actual time of an event scheduled on a personal scheduling program.

47. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 34, wherein the event reminder message content comprises a text message.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the text message in an e-mail message delivered to the intended recipient through a data network and wherein the e-mail message may be selected from a list of pre-configured e-mails or entered by a system user.

49. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive verification that the event reminder message has been received by the intended recipient.

50. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 49, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of an event reminder message receipt verification method.

51. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 50, wherein the selected event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to transmit a reply e-mail.

52. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 51, wherein the processor is further adapted to define at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

53. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 52, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

54. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 53, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

55. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 54, wherein intended recipient is selected from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

56. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 55, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

57. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 56, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message further comprises designating a period of time for transmitting the event reminder message prior to the actual time of an event scheduled on a personal scheduling program.

58. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 57, wherein the event reminder message delivery method comprises delivery of the text message in a short message service (SMS) compatible message delivered to the intended recipient through a telephony network.

59. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 58, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive verification that the event reminder message has been received by the intended recipient.

60. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 59, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of an event reminder message receipt verification method.

61. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 60, wherein the selected event reminder message receipt verification method requires the intended recipient to transmit a reply SMS message.

62. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 61, wherein the processor is further adapted to define at least one action that may be initiated by the intended recipient upon receipt of the event reminder message.

63. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 62, wherein the intended recipient may initiate a telephone call to a predetermined telephone directory number, initiate sending a preconfigured short message service (SMS) compatible message to a predetermined SMS recipient, or initiate sending a preconfigured e-mail message to a predetermined e-mail recipient.

64. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 63, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive, from the user interface, designation of a recurrence pattern for the event reminder.

65. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 64, wherein intended recipient is selected from a list of contacts maintained in at least one contact management program.

66. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 65, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message comprises scheduling an event on a personal scheduling program.

67. The interactive event reminder message communication system of claim 66, wherein designation of the date and the time for transmitting the event reminder message further comprises designating a period of time for transmitting the event reminder message prior to the actual time of an event scheduled on a personal scheduling program.