Methods, Systems, and Computer Program Products for Schedule Management Based on Locations of Wireless Devices

• US 20140195291A1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Aaron, Jeffrey, Ruckart, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,026,101 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method for managing appointments using a wireless device includes receiving scheduling data for a future appointment including a time associated with the future appointment. A current location of the wireless device is determined, and a reminder for the future appointment is provided at a time prior to the future appointment based on the current location of the wireless device. For example, the reminder may be provided at a time that varies based on the current location of the wireless device, a location associated with the future appointment, and an estimated travel time between the current location of the device and the location associated with the future appointment. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage device comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

obtaining scheduling data comprising a time and a location for a future appointment;

obtaining location data indicating a location of a wireless device associated with a person scheduled to attend the future appointment; and

determining, based on the location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, when to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

2. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise initiating, based on a result of the determining operation, sending the reminder to the wireless device.

3. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operation of determining when to send the reminder comprises:

calculating, based on the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment, an estimated travel time; and

determining, based on the estimated travel time and the time of the future appointment, when to send the reminder.

4. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the operations further comprise determining travel conditions between the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment; and

the operation of determining when to send the reminder is based also on the travel conditions.

5. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein:

the location data indicating the location of the wireless device is first location data indicating a first location of the wireless device; and

the operations further comprise;

obtaining subsequent location data indicating the subsequent location; and

determining, based on the subsequent location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, a new time to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

6. The computer-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:

predicting, based at least in part on the location of the device and the location of the future appointment, that the person will be late for the future appointment; and

initiating, responsive to predicting that the person will be late for the future appointment, displaying, at the wireless device, a notification.

7. The computer-readable storage device of claim 6, wherein the notification prompts for communication between the wireless device and another electronic device.

8. The computer-readable storage device of claim 6, wherein the operation of initiating displaying the notification comprises sending, to the wireless device, a message configured to cause the wireless device to display the notification.

9. The computer-readable storage device of claim 6, wherein initiating displaying the notification comprises initiating displaying the notification comprising:

the location of the wireless device; and

at least one time selected from a group consisting of an estimated amount of time by which the person is expected to be late and an estimated time of arrival of the wireless device to the location of the future appointment.

10. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable memory being in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, comprising;

obtaining scheduling data comprising a time and a location for a future appointment;

obtaining location data indicating a location of a wireless device associated with a person scheduled to attend the future appointment; and

determining, based on the location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, when to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the operation of determining when to send the reminder comprises:

calculating, based on the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment, an estimated travel time; and

determining, based on the estimated travel time and the time of the future appointment, when to send the reminder.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the operations further comprise determining travel conditions between the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment; and

the operation of determining when to send the reminder is based also on the travel conditions.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the location data indicating the location of the wireless device is first location data indicating a first location of the wireless device; and

the operations further comprise;

obtaining subsequent location data indicating a subsequent location of the wireless device; and

determining, based on the subsequent location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, a new time to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

predicting, based at least in part on the location of the device and the location of the future appointment, that the person will be late for the future appointment; and

initiating, responsive to predicting that the person will be late for the future appointment, displaying, at the wireless device, a notification.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the notification prompts for communication between the wireless device and another electronic device.

16. A method, comprising:

obtaining, by a system comprising a processor, scheduling data comprising a time and a location for a future appointment;

obtaining, by the system, location data indicating a location of a wireless device associated with a person scheduled to attend the future appointment; and

determining, by the system, based on the location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, when to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining when to send the reminder comprises:

calculating, based on the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment, an estimated travel time; and

determining, based on the estimated travel time and the time of the future appointment, when to send the reminder.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining travel conditions between the location of the wireless device and the location of the future appointment, wherein determining when to send the reminder is based also on the travel conditions.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the location data indicating the location of the wireless device is first location data indicating a first location of the wireless device; and

the method further comprises;

obtaining subsequent location data indicating a subsequent location of the wireless device; and

determining, based on the subsequent location of the wireless device, the location of the future appointment, and the time of the future appointment, a new time to send a reminder to the wireless device regarding the future appointment.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

predicting, based at least in part on the location of the device and the location of the future appointment, that the person will be late for the future appointment; and

initiating, responsive to predicting that the person will be late for the future appointment, displaying, at the wireless device, a notification.