Patent ID: 7343312
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of event scheduling for a plurality of attendees, the method comprising: receiving at least one request for scheduling a calendar meeting; receiving at least two meeting constraints; using an optimization means to schedule the calendar meeting to satisfy the at least two meeting constraints, and to maximize an attending number of the plurality of attendees able to attend the calendar meeting; meeting at least one objective, wherein the at least one objective comprises at least one of minimizing a travel time, minimizing a wait time, maximizing a contiguous meeting time, choosing a preferred meeting location, minimizing a variance from a preferred meeting time, maximizing an attendance of a first ones of the plurality of attendees who are desirable or optional for the calendar event, scheduling the calendar event as close as possible to a target date, maximizing an availability of audio/visual equipment, and minimizing a likelihood of inclement weather; notifying at least one entity, wherein said entity is selected from the group consisting of at least one of the plurality of attendees, a calendar, and a third party providing services to facilitate the calendar meeting; forwarding the at least one request to the plurality of attendees via e-mail or instant message; incurring a penalty when the calendar meeting is canceled, a room reservation “hold” for a meeting room is removed, and the meeting room is not used, wherein the penalty is a monetary payment penalty or a diminished use of services penalty; automatically scheduling first ones of the plurality of attendees, the first ones having authorized automatic entry into a corresponding one of a plurality of calendars; and sending an electronic invitation to second ones of the plurality of attendees; satisfying combined objective comprising, at least in part, a first objective and a second objective, wherein the first objective is to maximize the attendance of the people who are desirable for the event according to the formula, and wherein the second objective comprises scheduling the event as close as possible to the target date according to the formula, and wherein satisfying the combined objective comprises satisfying the formula