Appointment scheduling system

• US 8,073,725 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TimeTrade Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TimeTrade Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Loring, John, Lambert, Carl, Garfield, Justin, Peterson, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeanty, Romain
• Application Number:
  US12/359,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7.18
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment

Abstract

The instant invention relates to an appointment scheduling system that allows inviters to define various activities for appointments and to invite invitees to select said appointments. The system utilizes multiple visual user interfaces to allow inviters, invitees and other users to interact with the appointment scheduling system. The system allows for inviter selection of time windows in which appointments may be allowed as well as for the customization of these properties in terms of how often and until when these defined time windows will recur. The system also utilizes various techniques to associate invitees with particular appointment activities received by the invitee through email and/or other correspondence means.

Claims

1. An appointment scheduling method comprising representing an appointment as an actionable data collection said method further comprising:

generating user interactive abstract representations of available timeslots using a computer;

distributing a set of invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said actionable data collection comprises a set of data members and interacting with said set of data members;

utilizing said actionable data collections to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said actionable data collections to configure complex scheduling systems;

utilizing in a computer said actionable data collections to encapsulate said set of invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said generating abstract representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that a set of appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of subsequently generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

allowing for a contingency that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated when prior commitments of the inviter conflict with said units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future; and

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

2. The appointment scheduling method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises distributing user interactive invitations to schedule appointments.

3. The appointment scheduling method of claim 1, wherein distributing said invitations to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through a distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection member into said distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection member comprises a user-definable message; and

monitoring the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by said distribution means.

4. The appointment scheduling method of claim 3, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to inspect said set of appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

5. An invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising generating a plurality of visual representations of available timeslots the method further comprising;

wherein said method further comprises representing a set of invitations to schedule an appointment as an object using a computer;

wherein said method further comprises distributing said set of invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing in a computer said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said object to configure complex scheduling systems, wherein said complex scheduling systems comprise a set of multiple schedulable resources;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation of said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for said units of available time for receiving appointments when said units of available time for receiving appointments selected by users conflicts with prior commitments of users, wherein said prior commitments of users are recorded in the primary calendar of a user;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that said generated set of appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said user selected recurrence end period is comprised of a member of the group consisting of a specific minute, a specific hour, a specific day, a specific month a specific year and a specific date;

ensuring that said generated set of appointment time availability slots are not generated for a current day;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

allowing for the assurance that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

6. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 5, wherein said method further comprises distributing said set of invitations to schedule appointments over a network.

7. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 5, wherein said distributing said invitations to schedule appointments over a network comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic distribution means over a network;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic distribution means over a network, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by said electronic distribution means over a network.

8. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 7, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

9. A computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising distributing invitations to schedule appointments by an electronic mail system the method further comprising:

wherein said method further comprises generating a set of graphical representations of available timeslots using a computer;

wherein said method further comprises representing an appointment as an object;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are distributed by an electronic mail system;

utilizing said object to configure a set of complex scheduling systems, wherein said set of complex scheduling systems comprise a plurality of multiple schedulable resources and a plurality of multiple schedulable activities;

utilizing in a computer said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is embedded as an instance of said object within said invitations to schedule appointments and, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by an electronic mail system;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for said set of units of available time for receiving appointments when said set of units of available time for receiving appointments selected by a plurality of users conflicts with a plurality of prior commitments of users, wherein said plurality of prior commitments of users are recorded in a primary calendar of an individual user and, wherein said primary calendar comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a Microsoft Outlook Calendar and a Google Calendar;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said user selected recurrence end period comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a specific number of days into the future, a specific number of weeks into the future, a specific number of months, a specific number of years into the future and a specific future date;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for a current day;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected number of time units into the future, wherein said time units comprise a member selected from the group consisting of days, weeks, months and years;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given time unit, wherein said time unit comprises a member selected from the group consisting of days, weeks, months and years.

10. The computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 9, wherein said method further comprises representing an appointment as an object.

11. The computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 9, wherein said distributing said invitations over a network to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic mail distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic mail distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message;

tracking the delivery of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means.

12. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

13. An Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

representing an appointment as an actionable data collection using a computer;

generating abstract representations of available timeslots; and

distributing invitations to schedule appointments wherein said actionable data collection comprises a set of data members and interacting with said set of data members;

utilizing said actionable data collections to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said actionable data collection to configure complex scheduling systems;

utilizing in a computer said actionable data collection to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said means comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said generating abstract representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

allowing that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated when a set of prior commitments of the inviter conflict with said units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

14. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 13, wherein said distributing said invitations to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an Internet distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection member into said Internet distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection member comprises a user-definable message; and

monitoring the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said distribution means.

15. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

16. An Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

generating a set of visual representations of available timeslots using a computer;

representing a set of invitations to schedule an appointment as an object; and

distributing said set of invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing in said object to configure complex scheduling systems, wherein said complex scheduling systems comprise multiple schedulable resources;

utilizing in a computer said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for said set of units of available time for receiving appointments when said units of available time for receiving appointments selected a by user conflicts with a set of prior commitments of said user, wherein said prior commitments of users are recorded in a primary calendar of said user;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for a current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

17. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 16, wherein said distributing said invitations over a network to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message; and

tracking a set of responses to said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic distribution means.

18. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 17, wherein said method further comprises allowing said user to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots prior to generation of said appointment time availability slots.

19. A Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

representing an appointment as an object using a computer;

generating a set of available graphical representations of timeslots; and

distributing a set of invitations to schedule appointments by an electronic mail system;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said set of invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are distributed by said electronic mail system;

utilizing said object to configure complex scheduling systems, wherein said complex scheduling systems comprise a set of multiple schedulable resources and a set of multiple schedulable activities;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation of said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is encapsulated within said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by an electronic mail system;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that generated a set of appointment time availability slots are not generated for said set of units of available time for receiving appointments when said set of units of available time for receiving appointments selected by a user conflicts with a set of prior commitments of user, wherein said set of prior commitments of users are recorded in a primary calendar of said user, wherein said primary calendar comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a Microsoft Outlook Calendar and a Google Calendar;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said recurrence end period comprises a member of the group consisting of a specific minute, a specific hour, a specific day, a specific month, a specific year and a specific date;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected number of time units, wherein said time units comprise a member selected from the group consisting of days into the future, weeks into the future, months into the future and year into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given time unit, wherein said time unit comprises a member selected from the group consisting of at least one day and at least one week.

20. The Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 19, wherein said distributing said invitations over a network to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic mail distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic mail distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message;

tracking the delivery of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means.

21. The Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 20, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

22. A Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

representing an appointment as a building block object using a computer;

generating available graphical representations of timeslots within a computerized graphical user interface; and

distributing at least one invitation to schedule appointments by a non-text only electronic mail system;

wherein said building block object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said building block object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are distributed by electronic mail;

utilizing said object to configure complex scheduling systems, wherein said complex scheduling systems comprise a set of schedulable resources and a set of schedulable activities;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said means comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said non-text-only based electronic mail;

wherein said generating available graphical representations of timeslots within a computerized graphical user interface comprises;

allowing users to select timeslots for receiving appointments, wherein said timeslots are represented in quarter hour intervals;

ensuring that said timeslots are not generated for said timeslots for receiving appointments when said timeslots for receiving appointments selected by a user conflict with prior commitments of users, wherein said prior commitments of users are recorded in at least one primary user calendar, wherein said at least one primary user calendar comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a Microsoft Outlook Calendar and a Google Calendar;

allowing that said timeslots are not generated when said appointment availability timeslots extend beyond user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and when said appointment availability timeslots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment availability timeslots;

ensuring that a set of generated timeslots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

ensuring that said set of generated timeslots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said generated timeslots are not generated beyond a user selected number of weeks into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated available timeslots are generated for a given unit of time.

23. The Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 22, wherein said distributing said invitations over a network to schedule appointments comprises:

a step to disposed to distribute an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through a non-text-only electronic mail distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic mail distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message;

tracking the delivery of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said non-text-only electronic mail distribution means; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said non-text-only electronic mail distribution means.

24. The Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 23, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment timeslots before said availability timeslots are generated.

25. A user-interactive Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

representing an appointment as a building block object using a computer, wherein said building block object comprises;

an activity data field;

a resource data field;

an appointment duration data field;

an appointment type data field;

an availability information data field;

generating available graphical user interface representations of timeslots within a user-interactive Web-based graphical user interface; and

distributing at least one invitation to schedule appointments by a set of user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail;

wherein said building block object further comprises interacting with said building block object;

utilizing said building block object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail;

utilizing said building block object to configure a set of complex scheduling systems, wherein said set of complex scheduling systems comprise a multiplicity of subset building block objects, a multiplicity of schedulable resources and a multiplicity of schedulable activities;

utilizing said building block object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation of said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail;

wherein said generating available graphical user interface representations of timeslots within a user-interactive Web-based graphical user interface comprises;

allowing user to select a set of timeslots for receiving appointments, wherein said timeslots are defined in quarter hour intervals;

ensuring that a second set of timeslots are not generated for said set of timeslots for receiving appointments selected by a user in instances wherein said set of timeslots for receiving appointments selected by users conflicts with prior commitments of said user, wherein said prior commitments of users are recorded in a primary user calendar, wherein said primary user calendar comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a Microsoft Outlook Calendar and a Google Calendar;

ensuring that said timeslots are not generated in instances, wherein said appointment availability timeslots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment availability timeslots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment availability timeslots;

ensuring that said set of generated timeslots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said recurrence end period comprises a specific date;

ensuring that said set of generated timeslots are not generated for the instant day;

allowing ensure that said set of generated timeslots are not generated beyond a user selected number of weeks into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of said set of generated available timeslots are generated for any given day.

26. The user-interactive Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 25, wherein said distributing at least one set of invitations to schedule appointments by a user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail system comprises:

distributing a set of invitations to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through a user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail system;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail system, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message;

tracking the delivery of said set of invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said distributing at least one invitation to schedule appointments by user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail system; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said set of user-interactive graphical user interfaced electronic mail system.

27. The user-interactive Web-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 26, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said set of appointment availability timeslots before said set of appointment availability timeslots are generated.

28. An appointment scheduling method comprising representing an appointment to schedule a physical face-to-face meetings as an actionable data collection;

the method further comprising;

generating user interactive abstract representations of available timeslots using a computer;

distributing a set of invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said actionable data collection comprises a set of data members and interacting with said set of data members;

utilizing said actionable data collections to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said actionable data collections to configure complex scheduling systems;

utilizing said actionable data collections to encapsulate said set of invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said means comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said generating abstract representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that a set of appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of subsequently generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

allowing for a contingency that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated when prior commitments of the inviter conflict with said units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

29. The appointment scheduling method of claim 28, wherein said method further comprises distributing user interactive invitations to schedule appointments.

30. The appointment scheduling method of claim 28, wherein said generating abstract representations of available timeslots comprises:

allowing users to select units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that a set of appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of subsequently generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

allowing for a contingency that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated when prior commitments of the inviter conflict with said units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

31. The appointment scheduling method of claim 30, wherein said distributing said invitations to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through a distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection member into said distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection member comprises a user-definable message; and

monitoring the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by said distribution means.

32. The appointment scheduling method of claim 31, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to inspect said set of appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

33. An invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising generating a plurality of visual representations of available timeslots the method further comprising:

representing a set of invitations to schedule an appointment for a physical face-to-face meeting as an object using a computer;

wherein said method further comprises distributing said set of invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said method further comprises distributing said set of invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said object to configure complex scheduling systems, wherein said complex scheduling systems comprise a set of multiple schedulable resources;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation of said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments over a network;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for said units of available time for receiving appointments when said units of available time for receiving appointments selected by users conflicts with prior commitments of users, wherein said prior commitments of users are recorded in the primary calendar of a user;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that said generated set of appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said user selected recurrence end period is comprised of a member of the group consisting of a specific minute, a specific hour, a specific day, a specific month a specific year and a specific date;

ensuring that said generated set of appointment time availability slots are not generated for a current day;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

allowing for the assurance that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

34. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 33, wherein said distributing said invitations to schedule appointments over a network comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic distribution means over a network;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic distribution means over a network, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by said electronic distribution means over a network.

35. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

36. A computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising distributing invitations to schedule appointments for physical face-to-face meetings by an electronic mail system the method further comprising:

wherein said method further comprises representing an appointment as an object using a computer;

wherein said method further comprises representing an appointment as an object;

wherein said method further comprises representing an appointment as an object;

wherein said object comprises interacting with said object;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are distributed by an electronic mail system;

utilizing said object to configure a set of complex scheduling systems, wherein said set of complex scheduling systems comprise a plurality of multiple schedulable resources and a plurality of multiple schedulable activities;

utilizing said object to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said encapsulation of said invitations to schedule appointments comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is embedded as an instance of said object within said invitations to schedule appointments and, wherein said invitations to schedule appointments are distributed by an electronic mail system;

wherein said generating visual representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of available time for receiving appointments;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for said set of units of available time for receiving appointments when said set of units of available time for receiving appointments selected by a plurality of users conflicts with a plurality of prior commitments of users, wherein said plurality of prior commitments of users are recorded in a primary calendar of an individual user and, wherein said primary calendar comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a Microsoft Outlook Calendar and a Google Calendar;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and when said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period, wherein said user selected recurrence end period comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a specific number of days into the future, a specific number of weeks into the future, a specific number of months, a specific number of years into the future and a specific future date;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for a current day;

ensuring that generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected number of time units into the future, wherein said time units comprise a member selected from the group consisting of days, weeks, months and years;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given time unit, wherein said time unit comprises a member selected from the group consisting of days, weeks, months and years.

37. The computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 36, wherein said method further comprises generating a set of graphical representations of available timeslots.

38. The computerized invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 36, wherein said distributing said invitations over a network to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an electronic mail distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection button into said electronic mail distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection button comprises a user-defined message;

tracking the delivery of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means; and

tracking the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said electronic mail distribution means.

39. The invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 38, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to visually inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.

40. An Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method comprising:

representing an appointment to schedule physical face-to-face meetings as an actionable data collection using a computer;

generating abstract representations of available timeslots; and

distributing invitations to schedule appointments for physical face-to-face meetings;

wherein said actionable data collection comprises a set of data members and interacting with said set of data members;

utilizing said actionable data collections to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said invitations are non-selectively distributed;

utilizing said actionable data collection to configure complex scheduling systems;

utilizing said actionable data collection to encapsulate said invitations to schedule appointments, wherein said means comprises initiating scheduling an appointment, wherein said scheduling an appointment is contained within a set of selectively distributed invitations to schedule appointments;

wherein said generating abstract representations of available timeslots comprises;

allowing users to select a set of units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said appointment time availability slots are not generated in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of user defined fixed invitation acceptance times and in instances wherein said appointment time availability slots extend beyond a set of recurring user defined appointment time availability slots;

ensuring that a set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a user selected recurrence end period;

allowing that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated when a set of prior commitments of the inviter conflict with said units of time for availability to select appointments;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated for the current day;

ensuring that said set of generated appointment time availability slots are not generated beyond a selected number of time units into the future;

ensuring that only a maximum number of generated appointment time availability slots are generated for a given unit of time.

41. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 40, wherein said distributing said invitations to schedule appointments comprises:

distributing an invitation to schedule appointments to at least one invitee through an Internet distribution means;

embedding a user activateable selection member into said Internet distribution means, wherein said user activateable selection member comprises a user-definable message; and

monitoring the responses of said invitations to schedule appointments distributed by said distribution means.

42. The Internet-based invitation driven appointment scheduling method of claim 41, wherein said method further comprises allowing users to inspect said appointment time availability slots before said appointment time availability slots are generated.