System, method and program product for scheduling meetings

• US 20050101335A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Wilbrink, Tija I., Kelly, Edward E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,113,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.300
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

System, method and program product for scheduling meetings. Two or more invitees for a meeting are identified. Each of the invitees has a wireless device with a GPS or other geographic locating unit. Locations of the wireless devices are tracked. When the wireless devices of the two or more invitees are within a specified proximity of each other or a specified proximity of a specified location, then an attempt is made to schedule a meeting with the two or more invitees. A user specifies the proximity. The user can specify a greater proximity if the meeting is not scheduled by a certain date to increase the chance that the meeting will be scheduled. Another system, method and program product for reminding a person. A business or residence containing an object of a reminder is identified. A wireless device of a person to be reminded of the object is identified. A location of the wireless device is tracked. When the wireless device is within a specified distance or specified proximity of the business or residence, then the reminder is sent to the wireless device. A user specifies the reminder to be sent to the wireless device. Also, the user specifies the proximity.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling meetings, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying two or more invitees for a meeting, each of said invitees having a wireless device with a GPS or other geographic locating unit; and

tracking locations of said wireless devices, and when the wireless devices of said two or more invitees are within a specified proximity of each other or a specified proximity of a specified location, then attempting to schedule a meeting with said two or more invitees.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of a user specifying said proximity.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 further comprising the step of a user specifying a greater proximity if said meeting is not scheduled by a certain date.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of attempting to schedule a meeting comprises the step of determining availability of said two or more invitees based on previously scheduled meetings or absences.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of attempting to schedule the meeting comprises the step of notifying said two or more invitees through their respective wireless devices of the meeting location, date and time.

6. A system for scheduling meetings, said system comprising:

means for receiving identification of two or more invitees for a meeting, each of said invitees having a wireless device with a GPS or other geographic locating unit; and

means for tracking locations of said wireless devices, and when the wireless devices of said two or more invitees are within a specified proximity of each other or a specified proximity of a specified location, then attempting to schedule a meeting with said two or more invitees.

7. A computer program product for reminding a person, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

first program instructions for receiving identification of a business or residence containing an object of a reminder;

second program instructions for receiving an identification of a wireless device of a person to be reminded of said object; and

third program instructions for receiving tracking information as to a location of said wireless device, and when said wireless device is within a specified distance or specified proximity of said business or residence, then sending the reminder to said wireless device; and

wherein

said first, second and third program instructions are recorded on said medium.

8. A computer program product as set forth in claim 7 wherein a user specifies that said reminder be sent to said wireless device.

9. A computer program product as set forth in claim 8 wherein a user specifies said proximity.

10. A method of reminding a person, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a business or residence containing an object of a reminder;

identifying a wireless device of a person to be reminded of said object; and

tracking a location of said wireless device, and when said wireless device is within a specified distance or specified proximity of said business or residence, then sending the reminder to said wireless device.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of a user specifying said reminder to be sent to said wireless device.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of a user specifying said proximity.