US20010029462A1 - Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means - Google Patents
Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010029462A1 US20010029462A1 US09/879,954 US87995401A US2001029462A1 US 20010029462 A1 US20010029462 A1 US 20010029462A1 US 87995401 A US87995401 A US 87995401A US 2001029462 A1 US2001029462 A1 US 2001029462A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- schedule
- retrieval
- conference
- groups
- condition
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/109—Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
- G06Q10/063—Operations research, analysis or management
- G06Q10/0631—Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
- G06Q10/06311—Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/109—Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
- G06Q10/1093—Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/109—Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
- G06Q10/1093—Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
- G06Q10/1095—Meeting or appointment
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a schedule management system for transmitting and receiving individual and equipmental schedule data between individuals and equipments.
- a place retrieval function for retrieving the place for the meeting to be suitable to the scheduled date of the meeting and a term retrieval function for calculating the date on which the largest number of persons will participate in the meeting are used in the schedule management system to thereby make it possible to aid the generation of notice of the meeting on the schedule to reduce absentees as extremely as possible.
- a computer system is configured such that terminal systems allocated to a host person and subjects of participation are connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received between these terminal systems, and the computer system is provided with a schedule management function for storing schedules of the host person and the subjects of participation, and a function for storing equipmental schedules reserved by the host person separately from the schedules of the host person and the subjects of participation.
- schedules registered for participants and equipments are divided into a plurality of groups so that an idle-time retrieval result for one group is re-set in a retrieval condition for retrieving idle time for another group.
- the retrieval can be narrowed to the retrieval result to be intended by the host person.
- a function for registering equipments and participants in a plurality of special groups At least one participant or at least one equipment in each special group must satisfy an idle-time retrieval condition.
- the registration of the special groups the date of the meeting by arbitrary persons representing the special groups using an arbitrary equipment can be retrieved.
- FIG. 1 is a functional configuration view of a computer system as an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a processing view for explaining the operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example
- FIG. 4 is a processing view for explaining the operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example
- FIG. 5 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where degrees of significance are given to participants;
- FIG. 6 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where degrees of significance are given to participants;
- FIG. 7 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where special group definition is provided.
- FIG. 8 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where special group definition is provided.
- FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration view of the computer system in this embodiment.
- the computer system in this embodiment is designed so that a plurality of client apparatuses 101 , 102 , . . . are connected to a schedule server apparatus 114 through a communication line 113 .
- the schedule server apparatus 114 is connected to databases 108 to 111 in which various kinds of information are stored.
- the plurality of client apparatuses 101 , 102 , . . . are allocated to a host person and subjects of participation with respect to a meeting.
- the client apparatus 101 is allocated to a host person of a meeting and the client apparatus 102 is allocated to a participant of the meeting.
- the configuration of the client apparatus 101 is the same as that of the client apparatus 102 so that each client apparatus may be used for a host person or for a subject of participation.
- the client apparatus 101 has an input controller 104 for permitting data inputting for performing schedule inputting of the host person or the subject of participation of the meeting and performing idle-time retrieval, a display controller 105 for displaying an input schedule and outputting retrieval results for persons and equipments, and a communication controller 106 for transmitting and receiving data between the schedule server apparatus 114 and the client apparatuses.
- the schedule server apparatus 114 is connected to various databases 108 to 111 which will be described later, and has a database access unit 107 for making access to the various databases 108 to 111 , a multistageous idle-time retrieval unit 112 as a function for retrieving idle time for subjects of participation or equipments in a term designated by the host person, and a communication controller 115 for transmitting data to the client apparatuses 101 , 102 , . . . and receiving data from the client apparatuses 101 , 102 , . . . , through the communication line 113 .
- the above-mentioned databases include an equipment user account database 108 , an equipment user schedule database 109 for storing schedules of the subjects of participation and the host person, an equipment manager account database 110 and an equipment schedule database 111 for storing schedules of equipments.
- the host person in an event such as a meeting, or the like, selects some groups of subjects of participation for the meeting and inputs other conditions (step 201 in FIG. 2, and step 301 in FIG. 3).
- a step 202 shifts the control to a step 203 .
- idle time from 9 o'clock to 19 o'clock is searched as a condition. This is made to be a retrieval condition 3005 .
- idle-time retrieval is made for Group-I 3001 (steps 204 and 302 ).
- first, comparison is made between A-schedule data 3003 and a retrieval condition (meeting-holding condition) 3005 . From 9 o'clock to 13 o'clock the A-schedule data 3003 has idle time from 10 o'clock to 13 o'clock and from 14 o'clock to 19 o'clock. This result is used as a new retrieval condition for B-schedule data 3004 .
- a result 401 which shows that the idle time common to this new retrieval condition and the B-schedule data 3004 is from 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock, from 14 o'clock to 16 o'clock and from 17 o'clock to 19 o'clock, is obtained and stored in a memory (not shown) in the schedule server apparatus 114 .
- step 202 shifts control to the step 203 .
- the previous retrieval result 401 is used as a retrieval condition in the current retrieval.
- idle-time retrieval is made for Group-II 3002 in the same manner as in the Group-I 3001 (steps 204 and 402 ).
- a retrieval result is obtained and stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114 .
- step 202 shifts control to a step 206 .
- the retrieval result is displayed on the display controller 105 of the client apparatus 101 through the communication controller 115 of the schedule server apparatus 114 and the communication controller 106 of the client apparatus 101 , so that the content of the display shows a result 403 requested by the host person (the step 206 ).
- degrees of significance can be given to the respective subjects of participation of the meeting to be held as to whether each subject of participation is essential or not. Significance may be classified into two values, good and bad, or may be classified into several values.
- essential means an essential participant for the meeting
- optional means an optional participant
- selective means a specially unnecessary participant.
- Group I is set to “essential” 511
- Group II is set to “optional” 512
- Group III is set to “selective” 513 .
- the input condition is directly used as the retrieval condition so that idle time common to the Group I and the input condition is retrieved by the multistageous idle-time retrieval unit 112 ( 502 ).
- retrieval by the multistageous idle-time retrieval means 112 is performed group by group and the retrieval result is additionally and successively stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114 without changing the idle time zone determined by the previous retrieval result.
- the retrieval result for the Group II is as shown in 601 . That is, while the idle time common to the Group I and the input condition remains in the memory, idle time common to the Group I and the Group II is additionally stored in the memory. The same rule applies also to the Group III. Finally, a result in accordance with priority is outputted as the retrieval result 602 .
- a retrieval condition may be inputted so that at least one person representing each group is required to attend the meeting.
- a specific example of such a case will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
- a meeting room group 7000 is registered as a special group for schedules other than persons' schedules.
- the meeting room group includes equipments such as a meeting room, a tennis court, etc.
- Equipment Y and Equipment Z are registered as the meeting room group.
- a retrieval condition 701 for idle time is inputted.
- An input condition is directly used as the retrieval condition so that idle time common to the Equipment Y and the input condition is retrieved ( 702 ).
- the retrieval result is as shown in 703 .
- the input condition is stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114 but also the input condition expressing no member is stored in the memory.
- the multistageous idle-time retrieval unit 112 is not used for the first group subjected to retrieval.
- retrieval is performed by the multistageous idle time retrieval unit 112 .
- retrieval is performed for respective subjects of participation as shown in G 704 , H 802 and I 804 .
- the retrieval result is added successively without changing the idle time as the previous retrieval result.
- the idle time retrieval goes to retrieval of idle time common to the Equipment Z and the retrieval condition and retrieval of idle time common to G and the retrieval condition when the retrieval up to J is completed.
- the schedule including at least one element from each group is outputted as the retrieval result, the result may be that which is expected by the host person.
- the idle time retrieval is divided multistageously so that the retrieval result can be narrowed to a result intended by the host person.
- degrees of significance are given to subjects of participation for the meeting so that a time zone in which essential participants can attend the meeting can be retrieved. Accordingly, a burden on the host person can be also lightened.
- idle time can be retrieved so that at least one participant or at least one equipment such as a room satisfies the condition necessarily.
- schedule server apparatus 114 may be replaced by an exclusive-use server apparatus.
- the person and equipment retrieval unit may be provided in the client apparatuses 101 , 102 , . . . , not in the schedule server apparatus 114 .
- the multistageous idle-time retrieval unit is used so that the retrieval result for the subjects of participation for the meeting or for the place where the meeting is to be held can be narrowed easily and speedily. Accordingly, labor and time required for the host person's determination of the term in which the meeting is to be held can be lightened extremely.
- degrees of significance are set to the subjects of participation respectively so that a time zone in which essential participants can attend the meeting necessarily can be retrieved. Accordingly, a burden on the host person can be also lightened.
- idle time can be retrieved so that at least one participant or at least one equipment such as a room satisfies the condition necessarily.
Abstract
A method in which idle time retrieval is not lumped together but multistageously so that a burden on a host person for retrieving idle time for subjects of participation is lightened. The subjects of participation are divided into some groups so that idle time is retrieved group by group on the basis of a given retrieval condition. The retrieval is continued unless the retrieval is completed for all the groups.
Description
- The present invention relates to a schedule management system for transmitting and receiving individual and equipmental schedule data between individuals and equipments.
- For example, even in the case where a host person of a meeting in an office beforehand informs subjects of participation in the meeting of the date when the meeting will be held, the host person must sufficiently grasp the schedules of the subjects of participation to reduce absentees as extremely as possible.
- A technique described in JP-A-5-181867 is a known example most relevant to the present invention.
- In the conventional technique, a place retrieval function for retrieving the place for the meeting to be suitable to the scheduled date of the meeting and a term retrieval function for calculating the date on which the largest number of persons will participate in the meeting are used in the schedule management system to thereby make it possible to aid the generation of notice of the meeting on the schedule to reduce absentees as extremely as possible.
- There is however a first problem in the conventional technique that the place retrieval function and the term retrieval function need be used repetitively, so that the host person must re-input or correct the date of the meeting because these functions must be executed repetitively unless an expected result is obtained.
- There is a second problem that the date on which absentees will be reduced most extremely is not always an optimum retrieval result because the participants are different in significance in accordance with the schedule of the meeting to be held. Practically, the participants are different in significance judged by the host person as to whether they are essential participants or optional participants. Accordingly, such a date on which the largest number of participants can attend the meeting but some essential participants can not attend the meeting may be retrieved.
- There is a third problem that there is no means for retrieving the schedule of the meeting for a person representing an arbitrary group because the schedules for the participants are inputted individually when the term retrieval function is used. In the case of such a schedule, the date most suitable to the condition in which at least one representative participant is selected from a group necessary for participation in the meeting is required.
- As described above, it is important that the schedule management system is used to make a schedule just as the host person of the meeting designs.
- A computer system according to the present invention is configured such that terminal systems allocated to a host person and subjects of participation are connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received between these terminal systems, and the computer system is provided with a schedule management function for storing schedules of the host person and the subjects of participation, and a function for storing equipmental schedules reserved by the host person separately from the schedules of the host person and the subjects of participation.
- According to the present invention, the problems in the schedule management system is solved by the provision of the following functions.
- To solve the aforementioned first problem, as in the multistageous idle-time retrieval system, schedules registered for participants and equipments are divided into a plurality of groups so that an idle-time retrieval result for one group is re-set in a retrieval condition for retrieving idle time for another group. By this function, the retrieval can be narrowed to the retrieval result to be intended by the host person.
- To solve the aforementioned second problem, there is provided a function for setting significance for the participants and equipments. Schedules of participants and equipments are classified into groups by significance so that idle-time retrieval is executed multistageously. As a result, idle time can be retrieved so that the significance of the participants and equipments is satisfied.
- To solve the aforementioned third problem, there is provided a function for registering equipments and participants in a plurality of special groups. At least one participant or at least one equipment in each special group must satisfy an idle-time retrieval condition. By the registration of the special groups, the date of the meeting by arbitrary persons representing the special groups using an arbitrary equipment can be retrieved.
- FIG. 1 is a functional configuration view of a computer system as an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a processing view for explaining the operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example;
- FIG. 4 is a processing view for explaining the operating procedure in the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example;
- FIG. 5 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where degrees of significance are given to participants;
- FIG. 6 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where degrees of significance are given to participants;
- FIG. 7 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where special group definition is provided; and
- FIG. 8 is a processing view for explaining the embodiment of the present invention by way of specific example particularly in the case where special group definition is provided.
- An embodiment of the computer system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
- FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration view of the computer system in this embodiment.
- As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system in this embodiment is designed so that a plurality of
client apparatuses communication line 113. The schedule server apparatus 114 is connected todatabases 108 to 111 in which various kinds of information are stored. - The plurality of
client apparatuses client apparatus 101 is allocated to a host person of a meeting and theclient apparatus 102 is allocated to a participant of the meeting. - Incidentally, the configuration of the
client apparatus 101 is the same as that of theclient apparatus 102 so that each client apparatus may be used for a host person or for a subject of participation. - In this embodiment, the
client apparatus 101 has aninput controller 104 for permitting data inputting for performing schedule inputting of the host person or the subject of participation of the meeting and performing idle-time retrieval, a display controller 105 for displaying an input schedule and outputting retrieval results for persons and equipments, and acommunication controller 106 for transmitting and receiving data between the schedule server apparatus 114 and the client apparatuses. - The schedule server apparatus114 is connected to
various databases 108 to 111 which will be described later, and has adatabase access unit 107 for making access to thevarious databases 108 to 111, a multistageous idle-time retrieval unit 112 as a function for retrieving idle time for subjects of participation or equipments in a term designated by the host person, and acommunication controller 115 for transmitting data to theclient apparatuses client apparatuses communication line 113. The above-mentioned databases include an equipmentuser account database 108, an equipmentuser schedule database 109 for storing schedules of the subjects of participation and the host person, an equipmentmanager account database 110 and anequipment schedule database 111 for storing schedules of equipments. - With respect to the multistageous idle-time retrieval means112 in this embodiment, an overall processing procedure for retrieving idle time for subjects of participation will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and the processing procedure in FIG. 2 will be described on the basis of specific data with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
- Incidentally, it is assumed now that schedules for subjects of participation are inputted one by one through the
input controller 104. - First, the host person in an event such as a meeting, or the like, selects some groups of subjects of participation for the meeting and inputs other conditions (
step 201 in FIG. 2, andstep 301 in FIG. 3). - Because retrieval is not completed yet at this point of time, a
step 202 shifts the control to astep 203. - In the
step 301 in the specific example of FIG. 3, idle time from 9 o'clock to 19 o'clock is searched as a condition. This is made to be aretrieval condition 3005. - Here, idle-time retrieval is made for Group-I3001 (
steps 204 and 302). In this embodiment, first, comparison is made between A-scheduledata 3003 and a retrieval condition (meeting-holding condition) 3005. From 9 o'clock to 13 o'clock the A-scheduledata 3003 has idle time from 10 o'clock to 13 o'clock and from 14 o'clock to 19 o'clock. This result is used as a new retrieval condition for B-schedule data 3004. Aresult 401, which shows that the idle time common to this new retrieval condition and the B-schedule data 3004 is from 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock, from 14 o'clock to 16 o'clock and from 17 o'clock to 19 o'clock, is obtained and stored in a memory (not shown) in the schedule server apparatus 114. - Because control is further shifted to the
step 202 but retrieval is not completed yet, thestep 202 shifts control to thestep 203. - In the
step 203, theprevious retrieval result 401 is used as a retrieval condition in the current retrieval. - Here, idle-time retrieval is made for Group-II3002 in the same manner as in the Group-I 3001 (
steps 204 and 402). - In a
step 205, a retrieval result is obtained and stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114. - Because control is further shifted to the
step 202 and retrieval is completed at this point of time, thestep 202 shifts control to astep 206. - Here, the retrieval result is displayed on the display controller105 of the
client apparatus 101 through thecommunication controller 115 of the schedule server apparatus 114 and thecommunication controller 106 of theclient apparatus 101, so that the content of the display shows aresult 403 requested by the host person (the step 206). - The above description is the gist of the multistageous idle-time retrieval method.
- Next, the case where the retrieval method is divided more multistageously to widen the retrieval condition will be described below.
- Processing using specific data in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
- When retrieval conditions are inputted, degrees of significance can be given to the respective subjects of participation of the meeting to be held as to whether each subject of participation is essential or not. Significance may be classified into two values, good and bad, or may be classified into several values.
- In this embodiment, three values “essential”511, “optional” 512 and “selective” 513 are prepared as degrees of significance. Here, “essential” means an essential participant for the meeting, “optional” means an optional participant and “selective” means a specially unnecessary participant.
- In an input example501 in FIG. 5, as the degrees of significance expressing whether essential or not for the meeting to be held, Group I is set to “essential” 511, Group II is set to “optional” 512 and Group III is set to “selective” 513.
- The input condition is directly used as the retrieval condition so that idle time common to the Group I and the input condition is retrieved by the multistageous idle-time retrieval unit112 (502).
- After that, retrieval by the multistageous idle-time retrieval means112 is performed group by group and the retrieval result is additionally and successively stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114 without changing the idle time zone determined by the previous retrieval result.
- For example, because a member belonging to the Group I is essential, idle time common to the Group I and the retrieval condition is necessarily stored in the memory. On the other hand, the retrieval result for the Group II is as shown in601. That is, while the idle time common to the Group I and the input condition remains in the memory, idle time common to the Group I and the Group II is additionally stored in the memory. The same rule applies also to the Group III. Finally, a result in accordance with priority is outputted as the
retrieval result 602. - A retrieval condition may be inputted so that at least one person representing each group is required to attend the meeting. A specific example of such a case will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
- Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a meeting room group7000 is registered as a special group for schedules other than persons' schedules. The meeting room group includes equipments such as a meeting room, a tennis court, etc. In this embodiment, Equipment Y and Equipment Z are registered as the meeting room group.
- First, it is assumed now that a
retrieval condition 701 for idle time is inputted. An input condition is directly used as the retrieval condition so that idle time common to the Equipment Y and the input condition is retrieved (702). - The retrieval result is as shown in703. Here, not only idle time common to the Equipment Y and the input condition is stored in the memory of the schedule server apparatus 114 but also the input condition expressing no member is stored in the memory.
- The multistageous idle-
time retrieval unit 112 is not used for the first group subjected to retrieval. For the second group et seq., retrieval is performed by the multistageous idletime retrieval unit 112. As retrieval stages, retrieval is performed for respective subjects of participation as shown inG 704,H 802 and I 804. Incidentally, also in this case, the retrieval result is added successively without changing the idle time as the previous retrieval result. Though not shown, the idle time retrieval goes to retrieval of idle time common to the Equipment Z and the retrieval condition and retrieval of idle time common to G and the retrieval condition when the retrieval up to J is completed. Finally, if only the schedule including at least one element from each group is outputted as the retrieval result, the result may be that which is expected by the host person. - As described above, the idle time retrieval is divided multistageously so that the retrieval result can be narrowed to a result intended by the host person.
- Further, degrees of significance are given to subjects of participation for the meeting so that a time zone in which essential participants can attend the meeting can be retrieved. Accordingly, a burden on the host person can be also lightened.
- Furthermore, idle time can be retrieved so that at least one participant or at least one equipment such as a room satisfies the condition necessarily.
- Alternatively, the schedule server apparatus114 may be replaced by an exclusive-use server apparatus.
- Alternatively, the person and equipment retrieval unit may be provided in the
client apparatuses - As is obvious from the above description, in the computer system according to the present invention, the multistageous idle-time retrieval unit is used so that the retrieval result for the subjects of participation for the meeting or for the place where the meeting is to be held can be narrowed easily and speedily. Accordingly, labor and time required for the host person's determination of the term in which the meeting is to be held can be lightened extremely.
- Further, degrees of significance are set to the subjects of participation respectively so that a time zone in which essential participants can attend the meeting necessarily can be retrieved. Accordingly, a burden on the host person can be also lightened.
- In addition, idle time can be retrieved so that at least one participant or at least one equipment such as a room satisfies the condition necessarily.
Claims (5)
1. A schedule retrieval method for retrieving a schedule, comprising:
a first step of accepting an initial or first conference-holding condition of said schedule;
a second step of dividing a subject of said schedule into a plurality of groups;
a third step of comparing one group in said plurality of groups obtained by division with said first conference-holding condition to make a coincident result be a new or second conference-holding condition;
a fourth step of comparing one of said plurality of groups, which is not yet compared with any previous conference-holding conditions, with the one previous conference-holding condition to make a coincident result be a further new or newest conference-holding condition;
a fifth step of performing said fourth step on all the remaining ones of said plurality of groups which are not yet compared with any previous conference-holding conditions; and
a sixth step of outputting a retrieval result obtained by said fifth step.
2. A schedule server apparatus connected to terminal apparatuses allocated to schedule-reserving persons and schedule-reserved persons through a communication line for retrieving idle time of a schedule, comprising:
a communication control means for transmitting data to said terminal apparatuses and receiving data from said terminal apparatuses; and
a multistageous idle-time retrieval means having a function of dividing each of schedules registered for a plurality of persons and a plurality of equipments into a plurality of groups and retrieving common idle time from one of said plurality of groups to make an idle-time retrieval result be a retrieval condition for retrieving idle time from the schedule of another group.
3. A schedule server apparatus according to , wherein degrees of significance are given to participants respectively so that schedules of said participants are grouped in the order of the degree of significance to thereby output idle time correspondingly to the degrees of significance.
claim 2
4. A schedule server apparatus according to , further comprising means for making registration for a special group, wherein idle time is retrieved so that at least one of participants and equipments in said special group satisfies a condition.
claim 2
5. A recording medium capable of being read by a computer which retrieves idle time of a schedule comprising:
a first step of accepting an initial or first conference-holding condition of said schedule;
a second step of dividing a subject of said schedule into a plurality of groups;
a third step of comparing one group in said plurality of groups obtained by division with said first conference-holding condition to make a coincident result be a new or second conference-holding condition;
a fourth step of comparing one of said plurality of groups, which is not yet compared with any previous conference-holding conditions, with the one previous conference-holding condition to make a coincident result be a further new or newest conference-holding condition;
a fifth step of performing said fourth step on all the remaining ones of said plurality of groups which are not yet compared with any previous conference-holding conditions; and
a sixth step of outputting a retrieval result obtained by said fifth step.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/879,954 US20010029462A1 (en) | 1996-09-17 | 2001-06-14 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP08-244472 | 1996-09-17 | ||
JP24447296A JPH1091685A (en) | 1996-09-17 | 1996-09-17 | Multistage free time retrieval system |
US08/931,655 US5974394A (en) | 1996-09-17 | 1997-09-16 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
US37910499A | 1999-08-23 | 1999-08-23 | |
US09/879,954 US20010029462A1 (en) | 1996-09-17 | 2001-06-14 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US37910499A Continuation | 1996-09-17 | 1999-08-23 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010029462A1 true US20010029462A1 (en) | 2001-10-11 |
Family
ID=17119175
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/931,655 Expired - Fee Related US5974394A (en) | 1996-09-17 | 1997-09-16 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
US09/818,903 Abandoned US20010014916A1 (en) | 1996-09-17 | 2001-03-28 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
US09/879,954 Abandoned US20010029462A1 (en) | 1996-09-17 | 2001-06-14 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/931,655 Expired - Fee Related US5974394A (en) | 1996-09-17 | 1997-09-16 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
US09/818,903 Abandoned US20010014916A1 (en) | 1996-09-17 | 2001-03-28 | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US5974394A (en) |
JP (1) | JPH1091685A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10963961B1 (en) | 2006-10-05 | 2021-03-30 | Experian Information Solutions, Inc. | System and method for generating a finance attribute from tradeline data |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH1091685A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1998-04-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Multistage free time retrieval system |
JP4054399B2 (en) * | 1997-03-24 | 2008-02-27 | キヤノン株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and method |
US6772200B1 (en) * | 1997-05-15 | 2004-08-03 | Intel Corporation | System for providing non-intrusive dynamic content to a client device |
JPH11191120A (en) * | 1997-12-26 | 1999-07-13 | Hitachi Ltd | Schedule display method and reserved schedule managing method of schedule management system |
US6957188B1 (en) * | 1999-01-21 | 2005-10-18 | Andre-Roger Henry Dellevi | Computerized-interactive shift trade recording system |
US20020035504A1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-03-21 | Alyssa Dver | Lead suspect management |
FR2829330B1 (en) * | 2001-08-31 | 2003-11-28 | Canon Kk | METHOD FOR REQUESTING RECEIPT OF THE RESULT OF EXECUTION OF A REMOTE FUNCTION ON A PREDETERMINED DATE |
JP2007011479A (en) * | 2005-06-28 | 2007-01-18 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Schedule adjustment device, schedule adjustment method and program |
US20080040189A1 (en) * | 2006-08-14 | 2008-02-14 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Automatic selection of meeting participants |
US11200542B2 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2021-12-14 | Apple Inc. | Intelligent appointment suggestions |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4626836A (en) * | 1983-11-04 | 1986-12-02 | International Business Machines Corp. | Method of scheduling meetings |
US5050077A (en) * | 1988-02-08 | 1991-09-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Meeting scheduler with alternative listing |
US5093901A (en) * | 1988-09-30 | 1992-03-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for exchanging electronic calendars based on entries and classification among users of the system |
US5124912A (en) * | 1987-05-15 | 1992-06-23 | Wang Laboratories, Inc. | Meeting management device |
US5317683A (en) * | 1990-09-10 | 1994-05-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for automated meeting agenda generation in a data processing system |
US5519606A (en) * | 1992-01-21 | 1996-05-21 | Starfish Software, Inc. | System and methods for appointment reconciliation |
US5692125A (en) * | 1995-05-09 | 1997-11-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for scheduling linked events with fixed and dynamic conditions |
US5774867A (en) * | 1993-03-25 | 1998-06-30 | International Business Machines Corporation | Meeting conflict resolution for electronic calendars |
US5974394A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-10-26 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH05181867A (en) * | 1991-06-17 | 1993-07-23 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Computer system |
JPH05134989A (en) * | 1991-11-14 | 1993-06-01 | Canon Inc | Schedule managing system |
JPH06332906A (en) * | 1993-05-24 | 1994-12-02 | Hitachi Ltd | Conference schedule adjusting method |
JPH07182416A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1995-07-21 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Conference reservation system |
-
1996
- 1996-09-17 JP JP24447296A patent/JPH1091685A/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-09-16 US US08/931,655 patent/US5974394A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-03-28 US US09/818,903 patent/US20010014916A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-14 US US09/879,954 patent/US20010029462A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4626836A (en) * | 1983-11-04 | 1986-12-02 | International Business Machines Corp. | Method of scheduling meetings |
US5124912A (en) * | 1987-05-15 | 1992-06-23 | Wang Laboratories, Inc. | Meeting management device |
US5050077A (en) * | 1988-02-08 | 1991-09-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Meeting scheduler with alternative listing |
US5093901A (en) * | 1988-09-30 | 1992-03-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for exchanging electronic calendars based on entries and classification among users of the system |
US5317683A (en) * | 1990-09-10 | 1994-05-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for automated meeting agenda generation in a data processing system |
US5519606A (en) * | 1992-01-21 | 1996-05-21 | Starfish Software, Inc. | System and methods for appointment reconciliation |
US5774867A (en) * | 1993-03-25 | 1998-06-30 | International Business Machines Corporation | Meeting conflict resolution for electronic calendars |
US5692125A (en) * | 1995-05-09 | 1997-11-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for scheduling linked events with fixed and dynamic conditions |
US5974394A (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1999-10-26 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10963961B1 (en) | 2006-10-05 | 2021-03-30 | Experian Information Solutions, Inc. | System and method for generating a finance attribute from tradeline data |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH1091685A (en) | 1998-04-10 |
US5974394A (en) | 1999-10-26 |
US20010014916A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7876714B2 (en) | Techniques for managing conference schedules using groups | |
US5568489A (en) | Method and apparatus for processing data received at a remote workstation | |
CA2066619C (en) | Service allocation system | |
US7725344B2 (en) | System and method for computer-aided technician dispatch and communication | |
US5323314A (en) | Method and system for graphic representation of meeting parameters in a data processing system | |
US7925529B2 (en) | Method and meeting scheduler for automated meeting scheduling using delegates, representatives, quorums and teams | |
US20150199654A1 (en) | Information management systems with time zone information, including event scheduling processes | |
US20060047557A1 (en) | Techniques for resolving conflicts in scheduling conferences | |
US5974394A (en) | Schedule retrieval method for controlling schedules and schedule server apparatus with multistageous idle-time retrieval means | |
JPH11191120A (en) | Schedule display method and reserved schedule managing method of schedule management system | |
US20050119927A1 (en) | Accounting for traveling time within scheduling software | |
US20050114191A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for a calendar system with a location functionality | |
CN101853329A (en) | The application process of sample check system and device management server thereof | |
EP0207468A2 (en) | Method and user terminal for videotex | |
SG181057A1 (en) | System and method for management and distribution of diagnostic imaging | |
US20040260770A1 (en) | Communication method for business | |
US7716671B2 (en) | Method for coordinating a set of related tasks and events by reducing duplicated effort | |
JPH086995A (en) | Schedule control device | |
Dittus et al. | Medical resident work schedules: Design and evaluation by stimulation modeling | |
US5781740A (en) | Multimedia communication system | |
Davis | The national biomedical communications network as a developing structure | |
KR20000058229A (en) | Golf course reservation system | |
JPH10207944A (en) | Conference program adjustment device | |
JP2010191808A (en) | Scheduling program, scheduling method, and scheduling device | |
JPS6024984B2 (en) | Schedule management system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |