Electronic calendar system

• US 7,721,210 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Valtonen, Anna, Jokela, Ritta, Ylonen, Otso, Kirjavainen, Anne, Boestad, Natalia, Willstedt, Charlotta, Piippo, Petri, Koppinen, Anne, Keinonen, Turkka, Wikberg, Harri, Davidsson, Marcus, Mansikkaniemi, Tapio
• Primary Examiner(s): SAX, STEVEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/725,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20020063732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,457 Days
• Field of Search: 345/767, 345/765, 345/864, 345741-743, 345/745, 345/747, 345/854, 345/740, 345/823, 345/804, 345/805, 345/802, 345817-820, 345/835, 709/206, 715/963, 715/864, 715/747, 715734-737, 715/745, 715/733, 715751-759, 715/965, 715/968, 715/802, 715/804, 715/805, 455/403, 455/410, 455/418
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A wireless system having a central family calendar. Individual family members may access the family calendar from their wireless devices. The system also includes telephone and address information for non-family members. Important dates such as birthdays, associated with the non-family members may automatically appear in the calendar. The system may be incorporated into other family accessible devices such as a family bulletin board.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to communicate with a plurality of wireless devices operable to belong to a group, the processor configured to perform;

receiving calendar information from one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events from a first wireless device of the group and one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device of the group;

maintaining a group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from one or more wireless devices of the group;

providing access to the group calendar to the plurality of wireless devices of the group;

maintaining an individual calendar corresponding to the first wireless device of the group, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events;

providing access to the individual calendar only to the first wireless device of the group; and

transmitting a signal to the first wireless device associated with a graphical user interface, wherein the signal is configured to cause the graphical user interface to display each additional calendar event marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the wireless device from which the calendar event was received, and to display each calendar event and each private calendar event marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the first wireless device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

providing equal access to each of the plurality of wireless devices to modify the group calendar.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured for communication with the plurality of wireless devices through communication with an access point in communication with the plurality of wireless devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

authenticating the first wireless device prior to providing access to the individual calendar.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

receiving calendar information from the plurality of wireless devices, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events from each wireless device of the group;

maintaining the group calendar so as to include the calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and so as to exclude the one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device; and

maintaining the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and the one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the calendar information from the plurality of wireless devices further comprises one or more private calendar events from each wireless device of the group, and wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

maintaining a plurality of individual calendars, each individual calendar corresponding to one wireless device of the group, wherein each individual calendar comprises the calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and the one or more private calendar events from the corresponding wireless device; and

providing access to each individual calendar only to the corresponding wireless device.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

providing equal access to each of the plurality of wireless devices to modify the group calendar.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

authenticating each wireless device prior to providing access to each individual calendar.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus contains information of a valid identifier of each wireless device enabling service and a configuration tool configured for managing at least some configurable controlling functions of a browser from the wireless device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

receiving, from one of the wireless devices, a command to modify content of the group calendar;

modifying the group calendar according to the command; and

providing access to the modified group calendar to the plurality of wireless devices.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

providing access only to the first wireless device to modify the individual calendar.

12. A method comprising:

receiving calendar information from one or more of a plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices operable to belong to a group, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events from a first wireless device of the group and one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device of the group;

maintaining a group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from one or more wireless devices of the group;

providing access to the group calendar to the plurality of wireless devices of the group;

maintaining an individual calendar corresponding to the first wireless device of the group, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events;

providing access to the individual calendar only to the first wireless device of the group; and

transmitting a signal to the first wireless device associated with a graphical user interface, wherein the signal is configured to cause the graphical user interface to display each additional calendar event marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the wireless device from which the calendar event was received, and to display each calendar event and each private calendar event marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the first wireless device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing equal access to each of the plurality of wireless devices to modify the group calendar.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the calendar information is received by communication with the plurality of wireless devices through an access point in communication with the plurality of wireless devices.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

authenticating the first wireless device prior to providing access to the individual calendar.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving calendar information from the plurality of wireless devices, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events from each wireless device of the group;

maintaining the group calendar so as to include the calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and so as to exclude the one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device; and

maintaining the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and the one or more private calendar events from the first wireless device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the calendar information received from the plurality of wireless devices further comprises one or more private calendar events from each wireless device of the group, further comprising:

maintaining a plurality of individual calendars, each individual calendar corresponding to one wireless device of the group, wherein each individual calendar comprises the calendar events from all wireless devices of the group and the one or more private calendar events from the corresponding wireless device; and

providing access to each individual calendar only to the corresponding wireless device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing equal access to each of the plurality of wireless devices to modify the group calendar.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

authenticating each wireless device prior to providing access to each individual calendar.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving, from one of the wireless devices, a command to modify content of the group calendar;

modifying the group calendar according to the command; and

providing access to the modified group calendar to the plurality of wireless devices.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing access only to the first wireless device to modify the individual calendar.

22. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to communicate with a server, the processor configured to perform;

transmitting calendar information to the server, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events and one or more private calendar events;

accessing a group calendar maintained on the server for a group including the apparatus and a plurality of wireless devices, the group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from one or more wireless devices of the group;

accessing an individual calendar maintained on the server and accessible only by the apparatus, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, and

displaying, on a graphical user interface, the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, wherein each additional calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the wireless device from which the calendar event was received, and each calendar event and each private calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the apparatus.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

accessing the server to modify the group calendar; and

accessing the server to modify the individual calendar.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is configured for communication with the server through communication with an access point in communication with the server.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

transmitting authentication information to the server for authentication of the apparatus prior to accessing the individual calendar.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

transmitting, to the server, a command to modify content of the group calendar; and

accessing the modified group calendar.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

accessing a group notice board maintained on the server, the group notice board comprising at least some of the calendar information.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

creating each of the one or more calendar events and each of the one or more private calendar events by entry into a new calendar event view.

45. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each graphical indicator comprises a different display color.

29. A method comprising:

transmitting calendar information to a server from a first device, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events and one or more private calendar events;

accessing a group calendar maintained on the server for a group including the first device and a plurality of wireless devices, the group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from the wireless devices of the group;

accessing an individual calendar maintained on the server and accessible only by the first device, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events; and

displaying, on a graphical user interface associated with the first device, the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, wherein each additional calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the wireless device from which the calendar event was received, and each calendar event and each private calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the first device.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

accessing the server to modify the group calendar; and

accessing the server to modify the individual calendar.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the calendar information is transmitted through an access point in communication with the server.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting authentication information from the first device to the server for authentication prior to accessing the individual calendar.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting, from the first device to the server, a command to modify content of the group calendar; and

accessing the modified group calendar.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

accessing a group notice board maintained on the server, the group notice board comprising at least some of the calendar information.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

creating each of the one or more calendar events and each of the one or more private calendar events by entry into a new calendar event view.

44. The method of claim 29, wherein each graphical indicator comprises a different display color.

36. A tangible machine-readable storage medium containing machine-executable code comprising instructions configured to cause one or more processors to perform:

transmitting calendar information to a server from a first device, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events and one or more private calendar events;

accessing a group calendar maintained on the server for a group including the first device and a plurality of wireless devices, the group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from the wireless devices of the group;

accessing an individual calendar maintained on the server and accessible only by the first device, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events; and

displaying, on a graphical user interface, the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, wherein each additional calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the wireless device from which the calendar event was received, and each calendar event and each private calendar event is marked with a graphical indicator corresponding to the first device.

37. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to perform:

accessing the server to modify the group calendar; and

accessing the server to modify the individual calendar.

38. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the calendar information is transmitted through an access point in communication with the server.

39. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to perform:

transmitting authentication information from the first device to the server for authentication prior to accessing the individual calendar.

40. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to perform:

transmitting, from the first device to the server, a command to modify content of the group calendar; and

accessing the modified group calendar.

41. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to perform:

accessing a group notice board maintained on the server, the group notice board comprising at least some of the calendar information.

42. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the one or more processors to perform:

creating each of the one or more calendar events and each of the one or more private calendar events by entry into a new calendar event view.

43. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 36, wherein each graphical indicator comprises a different display color.

46. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to communicate with a server, the processor configured to perform;

transmitting calendar information to the server, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events and one or more private calendar events;

accessing a group calendar maintained on the server for a group including the apparatus and a plurality of wireless devices, the group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from one or more wireless devices of the group;

accessing an individual calendar maintained on the server and accessible only by the apparatus, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events; and

displaying, on a graphical user interface, the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first screen area configured for displaying a monthly display bar allowing for selection of any specific day or week of a selected month and a second screen area configured for alternately displaying at least a weekly calendar event view corresponding to a specific week selected from the monthly display bar or a daily calendar event view corresponding to a specific day selected from the monthly display bar,

wherein the weekly calendar event view displays any of the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events occurring within the specific selected week, and

wherein the daily calendar event view displays any of the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events occurring within the specific selected day.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

accessing the server to modify the group calendar; and

accessing the server to modify the individual calendar.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

transmitting authentication information to the server for authentication of the apparatus prior to accessing the individual calendar.

49. A method comprising:

transmitting calendar information to a server from a first device, the calendar information comprising one or more calendar events and one or more private calendar events;

accessing a group calendar maintained on the server for a group including the first device and a plurality of wireless devices, the group calendar comprising the one or more calendar events and one or more additional calendar events from the wireless devices of the group;

accessing an individual calendar maintained on the server and accessible only by the first device, the individual calendar comprising the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events; and

displaying, on a graphical user interface associated with the first device, the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first screen area configured for displaying a monthly display bar allowing for selection of any specific day or week of a selected month and a second screen area configured for alternately displaying at least a weekly calendar event view corresponding to a specific week selected from the monthly display bar or a daily calendar event view corresponding to a specific day selected from the monthly display bar,

wherein the weekly calendar event view displays any of the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events occurring within the specific selected week, and

wherein the daily calendar event view displays any of the one or more calendar events, the one or more additional calendar events, and the one or more private calendar events occurring within the specific selected day.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

accessing the server to modify the group calendar; and

accessing the server to modify the individual calendar.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

transmitting authentication information from the first device to the server for authentication prior to accessing the individual calendar.