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US 2003/0191676 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for intermediation of meetings and calls
AssigneeLaura A. Majerus
InventorBRADLEY S. TEMPLETON
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AssigneeLaura A. Majerus
InventorBRADLEY S. TEMPLETON
Estimating the term…
A computer-implemented method and system for assisting in the intermediation of realtime meetings, including telephone calls and face to face meetings. A user informs his system that he wishes to, for example, make a telephone call. The system sends a request for a realtime meeting to the specified target. Both the target and the requester queue the request. When both the requester and the target are mutually available, the realtime meeting can take place. Some embodiments cause this to happen automatically, some prompt the user to take action, such as dialing the telephone. Some embodiments allow the user to choose from among queued requests.
A computer-implemented method for the intermediation of real time meetings, comprising:
A computer-implemented method for the intermediation of realtime meetings, comprising:
A computer-implemented method for the intermediation of realtime meetings, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers: arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics…
Operations research, analysis or management: resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations: scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person…
Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting: calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
Term end not estimated
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to productivity tools and, specifically, to a method and apparatus that aid in managing telephone calls and meetings.
2. Related Art
FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram of the overall architecture of a data processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 1(b)-1(d) are block diagrams of data processors in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 2(a)-2(f) are block diagrams of various exemplary network organizations that can be used with the present invention.
General Discussion
The present invention may be implemented on a computer system, such as the caller's data processing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1(a). It is contemplated that a person being called will have a similar system, as described herein. The data processing system 100 has at least one processor 102 and associated computer memory or computer storage 104. Memory 104 includes at least one software component 112 for implementing the tasks described herein. The described embodiments of the present invention may be performed when instructions contained in memory 104 or other appropriate memories are executed by the processor 102 or other appropriate processors. The system also preferably includes a database 106. Certain implementations of the system can also connect to a telecommunications system 116 to place calls (or can use Internet telephony via network connection 114).
Data processing system 100 also preferably includes a network connection 114, such as a connection to a LAN, a WAN, and/or the Internet or to some other appropriate network. System 100 preferably includes an input devices(s) 118 such as a keyboard, touch screen, or the like. System 100 preferably includes an output device(s) 120 such as a printer, display screen or the like. System 100 also includes a computer readable medium 124. Computer readable medium 124 may be any appropriate medium that has instructions and/or data stored thereon. These instructions and data may be loaded from computer readable media 124 into computer memory 104. Instructions and data can also be loaded into memory in the form of a carrier wave, or by any other type of signal over network connection 114.