Patent US5428784A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5428784A
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Method and apparatus for linking electronic mail and an electronic calendar to provide a dynamic response to an electronic mail message
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-03-10
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Granted: 1995-06-27
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Expires: 2014-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A dynamic response to an electronic message is provided to a sender without requiring any additional action on the part of an addressee. When a message is received, a search is conducted on the addressee's electronic calendar. If an event is found in which a receipt time of the message falls between the start and stop time thereof, a response is provided to the sender so indicating. The response may be tailored as desired to include such information as what the event is, start/stop time of the event, and who the event concerns.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Cahill, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A computer implemented method of providing a dynamic response to an electronic mail message on a data processing system comprising at least a sender's computer and a recipient's computer by dynamically linking an electronic mail system to an electronic calendar system both of which are accessible by each computer, comprising the steps of: sending an electronic mail message from the sender's computer to the recipient's computer by the electronic mail system; receiving the message through the electronic mail system on the recipient's computer; in response to receipt of the electronic mail message, automatically accessing with the recipient's computer a recipient's calendar on the electronic calendar system on the recipient's computer; automatically searching said recipient's calendar on the calendar system of the recipient's computer for any scheduled event overlapping with a time of receipt of the message sent on the electronic mail system; automatically sending information on said any scheduled event overlapping with the time of receipt back to said sender's computer by the electronic mail system; and automatically displaying on the sender's computer said information sent through the electronic mail system about said any scheduled event, wherein a sender is automatically informed of any potential events which may delay a response from a recipient without said sender having to exit the electronic mail system to separately access the electronic calendar system to check for said any potential events.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A computer implemented method of providing a dynamic response to an electronic mail message on a data processing system comprising at least a sender's computer and a recipient's computer by dynamically linking an electronic mail system to an electronic calendar system both of which are accessible by each computer, comprising the steps of: sending an electronic mail message from the sender's computer to the recipient's computer by the electronic mail system; receiving the message through the electronic mail system on the recipient's computer; in response to receipt of the electronic mail message, automatically accessing with the recipient's computer a recipient's calendar on the electronic calendar system on the recipient's computer; automatically searching said recipient's calendar on the calendar system of the recipient's computer for any scheduled event overlapping with a time of receipt of the message sent on the electronic mail system; automatically sending information on said any scheduled event overlapping with the time of receipt back to said sender's computer by the electronic mail system; and automatically displaying on the sender's computer said information sent through the electronic mail system about said any scheduled event, wherein a sender is automatically informed of any potential events which may delay a response from a recipient without said sender having to exit the electronic mail system to separately access the electronic calendar system to check for said any potential events.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of displaying comprises: displaying a start time and a stop time for said event.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of displaying comprises: displaying what said event comprises.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
246 words
A system for providing a dynamic response to an electronic mail message on a data processor comprising at least a sender's computer and a recipient's computer by dynamically linking an electronic mail system to an electronic calendar system both of which are accessible by each computer, comprising: computer implemented means for sending an electronic mail message from the sender's computer to the recipient's computer by the electronic mail system; computer implemented means for receiving the message through the electronic mail system on the recipient's computer; in response to receipt of the electronic mail message, computer implemented means on the recipient's computer for automatically accessing a recipient's calendar on the electronic calendar system on the recipient's computer; computer implemented means for automatically searching said recipient's calendar on the calendar system of the recipient's computer for any scheduled event overlapping with a time of receipt of the message sent on the electronic mail system; computer implemented means for automatically sending information on said any scheduled event overlapping with the time of receipt back to said sender's computer by the electronic mail system; and computer implemented means for automatically displaying on the sender's computer said information sent through the electronic mail system about said any scheduled event, wherein a sender as automatically informed of any potential events which may delay a response from a recipient without said sender having to exit the electronic mail system to separately access the electronic calendar system to check for said any potential events.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
246 words
A system for providing a dynamic response to an electronic mail message on a data processor comprising at least a sender's computer and a recipient's computer by dynamically linking an electronic mail system to an electronic calendar system both of which are accessible by each computer, comprising: computer implemented means for sending an electronic mail message from the sender's computer to the recipient's computer by the electronic mail system; computer implemented means for receiving the message through the electronic mail system on the recipient's computer; in response to receipt of the electronic mail message, computer implemented means on the recipient's computer for automatically accessing a recipient's calendar on the electronic calendar system on the recipient's computer; computer implemented means for automatically searching said recipient's calendar on the calendar system of the recipient's computer for any scheduled event overlapping with a time of receipt of the message sent on the electronic mail system; computer implemented means for automatically sending information on said any scheduled event overlapping with the time of receipt back to said sender's computer by the electronic mail system; and computer implemented means for automatically displaying on the sender's computer said information sent through the electronic mail system about said any scheduled event, wherein a sender as automatically informed of any potential events which may delay a response from a recipient without said sender having to exit the electronic mail system to separately access the electronic calendar system to check for said any potential events.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said means for displaying comprises: computer implemented means for displaying a start time and a stop time for said event.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said means for displaying comprises: computer implemented means for displaying what said event comprises.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |