Method and apparatus for meeting confirmation in a data processing system

Patent 5303145 Issued on April 12, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 12, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Application

No. 633875 filed on 12/26/1990

US Classes:

705/9, Staff scheduling or task assignment345/168Including keyboard

Examiners

Primary: Envall, Roy N. Jr.
Assistant: Shingala, Gita D.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Dillon; Andrew J.

International Classes

G06F 015/21
G06F 007/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for scheduling and confirming meetings in a data processing system which includes stored calendars for prospective attendees. A prompting screen is presented to a scheduler with blanks for keying in a desired meeting parameters including at least: a list of desired attendees; a desired date range; and a desired time span. A prompting screen is also presented to each prospective attendee to permit an attendee to key in attendee confirmation parameters which specify the conditions under which the prospective attendee will agree to attend a desired meeting. In a depicted embodiment of the present invention, a prospective attendee may identify selected attendees who must or must not attend a desired meeting in order to confirm the prospective attendees attendance at that meeting. A comparison of each prospective attendees' calendar with the desired meeting parameters and the attendee confirmation parameters is then utilized to determine if an available meeting time complies with all required parameters.