Buddy list-based calendaring
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, from a user, an event in an electronic calendar interface, the event including event details;
receiving, from the user, a list of desired invitees to the event from a list of contacts;
generating an invitation to be communicated by a first communications mechanism to the desired invitees, the invitation to the event indicating a time at which the event will take place;
detecting, by a processor, which of the desired invitees are currently online and which of the desired invitees are currently offline;
extending the invitation to those desired invitees that are detected to be online by sending the invitation via the first communications mechanism; and
for those desired invitees that are detected to be offline,storing the invitation in a delivery queue for the desired invitee;
determining, by a processor, a time at which the desired invitee comes online;
if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is prior to the time at which the event will take place, delivering the invitation to the event via the first communications mechanism to the desired invitee; and
if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is subsequent to the time at which the event will take place, removing the invitation to the event from the delivery queue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Instant messaging (IM) entities may be invited to an electronic calendar event using an instant message. Selecting the IM entities as invitees to the event may include dragging and dropping names of the IM entities from a buddy list of an IM application to an event from an electronic calendar application, or vice versa. A method of inviting an entity to a calendar event includes providing a calendar event from a calendar application and recognizing, by the calendar application, an IM entity as an invitee to the event.
97 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, from a user, an event in an electronic calendar interface, the event including event details; receiving, from the user, a list of desired invitees to the event from a list of contacts; generating an invitation to be communicated by a first communications mechanism to the desired invitees, the invitation to the event indicating a time at which the event will take place; detecting, by a processor, which of the desired invitees are currently online and which of the desired invitees are currently offline; extending the invitation to those desired invitees that are detected to be online by sending the invitation via the first communications mechanism; and for those desired invitees that are detected to be offline, storing the invitation in a delivery queue for the desired invitee; determining, by a processor, a time at which the desired invitee comes online; if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is prior to the time at which the event will take place, delivering the invitation to the event via the first communications mechanism to the desired invitee; and if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is subsequent to the time at which the event will take place, removing the invitation to the event from the delivery queue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions comprising:
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receiving, from a user, an event in an electronic calendar interface, the event including event details; receiving, from the user, a list of desired invitees to the event from a list of contacts; generating an invitation to he communicated by a first communications mechanism to the desired invitees, the invitation to the event indicating a time at which the event will take place; detecting, by a processor, which of the desired invitees are currently online and which of the desired invitees are currently offline; extending the invitation to those desired invitees that are detected to be online by sending the invitation via the first communications mechanism; and for those desired invitees that are detected to be offline, storing the invitation in a delivery queue for the desired invitee; determining, by a processor, a time at which the desired invitee comes online; if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is prior to the time at which the event will take place, delivering the invitation to the event to the desired invitee via the first communications mechanism; and if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is subsequent to the time at which the event will take place, removing the invitation to the event from the delivery queue. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving, from a user, an event in an electronic calendar interface, the event including event details; means for receiving, from the user, a list of desired invitees to the event from a list of contacts; means for generating an invitation to be communicated by a first communications mechanism to the desired invitees, the invitation to the event indicating a time at which the event will take place; means for detecting, by a processor, which of the desired invitees are currently online and which of the desired invitees are currently offline; means for extending the invitation to those desired invitees that are detected to be online by sending the invitation via the first communications mechanism; and for those desired invitees that are detected to be offline, means for storing the invitation in a delivery queue for the desired invitee; means for determining, by a processor, a time at which the desired invitee comes on line; if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is prior to the time at which the event will take place, means for delivering the invitation to the event to the desired invitee via the first communications mechanism; and if the time at which the desired invitee comes online is subsequent to the time at which the event will take place, means for removing the invitation to the event from the instant message delivery queue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification