The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
The teachings herein describe a computer implemented method and computer hardware to automatically send recipients of invitations reminders if the invitations are not one of accepted and declined.
Referring now to
As disclosed herein, the system 100 includes machine readable instructions stored on machine readable media (for example, the hard disk 103) for providing automatic reminders to recipients who have not accepted or declined the invitations. As disclosed herein, the instructions are referred to as automatic reminder software 121. The software 121 may be produced using software development tools as are known in the art.
Thus, as configured
As is known in the art, the system 100 may perform various functions. For example, the system 100 may provide server capabilities, or provide client resources. The system 100 may operate in a mixed platform environment. For example, the system 100 and other similar resources may operate any one of Windows, AIX and Solaris operating systems. Typically, the software 121 operates in cross platform environments as well as with multiple systems.
A typical embodiment of the network 120 includes a plurality of computer systems 100. Users of the computer systems 100 have the ability to communicate with each other via electronic messages. Typically, the software 121 provides each user with a computer program to manage the electronic messages. The computer program in each of the systems 100 is called a client. The client provides each user with the ability to view, organize, and take actions on the electronic messages. Taking actions on messages may include responding to senders of messages. The user can send an electronic message to any other user connected to the network 120.
The teachings herein discuss invitations. Typically, an invitation is an electronic message that requests the recipient reserves a block of time. Invitations may be sent to one or more recipients. In one example, the invitation is an invitation to a meeting, where a presence of multiple recipients is required.
A software engine 39 processes the first invitation 22 for display in an electronic inbox 30. The inbox 30 provides the recipient 23 an ability to view the invitation 22. The inbox 30 also provides the recipient 23 an ability to act on the first invitation 22 by choosing one of accepting and declining. The engine 39 performs a search function 31 on the first invitation 22. The search function 31 searches a subject field, invitation icon, or some other designated portion looking for a meeting date, a start time, and a duration of a meeting. Upon finding the meeting information, the engine 39 will send this information to a calendar 32.
The calendar 32 will create a first reminder generator 33. The first reminder generator 33 will automatically send reminders to the inbox 30. In one embodiment, the sending occurs at a predetermined schedule. The reminders will remind the recipient 23 of the first invitation 22 that has not been one of accepted and declined. Similarly, the second invitation 25 would create a second reminder generator 34. Any reminder generators, once created, will automatically send reminders to the inbox 30. Reminder generators will remain in the calendar 32 until removed. The inbox 30 provides the recipient 23 the ability to resolve any conflicts that may arise between the invitations 22 and 25.
Upon receiving the first invitation 22 in the inbox 30, the recipient 23 can perform one of accepting, declining, and taking no action. If the invitation 22 is declined, the engine 39 sends a decline message 35 to the first sender 21 and the calendar 32.
Upon receiving the decline message 35, the calendar 32 will remove the first reminder generator 33. In one embodiment, the decline message 35 sent to the calendar 32 is an electronic signal. The electronic signal instructs the calendar 32 to remove the first reminder generator 33.
If no action is taken, then the first reminder generator 33 remains in place. The first reminder generator 33 will send reminders to the inbox 30. The reminders will alert the recipient 23 that no action has been taken concerning the first invitation 22.
In some embodiments, the software 121 may be provided as an “add-in” to the client application. For example, the client application may be designed for receiving invitations. The software 121 would supplement the client application to provide automatic reminders for invitations that were not one of accepted and declined by the recipient.
The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.
As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately.
Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided.
The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.
While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.