Method for executing a service for organisation of meetings for participants in a communications network, and service computer and program module for this

• US 20030027558A1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Eisinger, Bernd
• Application Number:
  US10/193,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20030027558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for executing a service for organization of meetings for participants in a communications network with the steps: Storage of an invitation to a meeting transmitted from a terminal device of an inviting participant, specifying the location, time and a participant identifier, in particular a call number or a network address, of one or more invited participants, Receiving of location information about an invited participant (SA), Determination of a travel route from the location of the invited participant (SA) to the meeting place, and estimation of the travel time required by this participant (SA), Calculation of a time, allowing for the estimated travel time, at which the invited participant (SA) must begin his journey and Sending of information, in particular a message containing travel details and a recommended starting time for the journey, to a terminal device of the invited participant (SA) at least once by this time, along with a service computer (MS) and program module for this.

Claims

1. Method for executing a service for organization of meetings for participants in a communications network, wherein the following steps are executed:

Storage of an invitation to a meeting transmitted from a terminal device of an inviting participant, specifying the location, time and a participant identifier, in particular a call number or a network address, of one or more invited participants,

Receiving of information about the location (of residence) of an invited participant,

Determination of a travel route from the location of the invited participant to the meeting place, and estimation of the travel time required by this participant,

Calculation of a time, allowing for the estimated travel time, at which the invited participant must begin his journey and

Sending of information to a terminal device of the invited participant at least once by this time, in particular a message containing travel details and a recommended starting time for the journey.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein selected means of transport are considered for determining the travel route, and current timetables and/or traffic situations that are relevant for these means of transport are consulted to estimate the travel time.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an automatic locating of the terminal device of the invited participant occurs, and the travel time estimate is made continuously or repeatedly based on the current location thereby established.

4. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein from the time suggested for beginning the journey, depending on the established location, current navigation information or travel information is determined continuously or repeatedly and sent to this participant'"'"'s terminal device.

5. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein from the time suggested for beginning the journey, it is continuously or repeatedly determined whether the established location permits the expectation that the invited participant will reach the meeting place on time, and this information is transmitted to the terminal device of the invited participant or the terminal device of the inviting participant.

6. Method as claimed in claim 5, wherein if applicable, a probable delay time is calculated and this delay time is transmitted to the terminal device of the invited participant or to the terminal device of the inviting participant.

7. Service computer for organization of meetings for participants in a communications network, with means of executing the following steps:

Storage of an invitation to a meeting transmitted from a terminal device of an inviting participant, specifying the location, time and a participant identifier, in particular a call number or a network address, of one or more invited participants,

Receiving of information about the location (of residence) of an invited participant,

Determination of a travel route from the location of the invited participant to the meeting place, and estimation of the travel time required by this participant,

Calculation of a time, allowing for the estimated travel time, at which the invited participant must begin his journey and

Sending of information to a terminal device of the invited participant at least once by this time, in particular a message containing travel details and a recommended starting time for the journey.

8. Program module for running in a service computer for organization of meetings for participants in a communications network with means of controlling the following steps:

Storage of an invitation to a meeting transmitted from a terminal device of an inviting participant, specifying the location, time and a participant identifier, in particular a call number or a network address, of one or more invited participants,

Receiving of information about the location (of residence) of an invited participant,

Determination of a travel route from the location of the invited participant to the meeting place, and estimation of the travel time required by this participant,

Calculation of a time, allowing for the estimated travel time, at which the invited participant must begin his journey and

Sending of information to a terminal device of the invited participant at least once by this time, in particular a message containing travel details and a recommended starting time for the journey.