Patent ID: 6988128
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of providing an electronic calendar-driven application, comprising: creating time-dependent calendar events on an electronic calendar, the calendar events being organized according to a multi-level hierarchy comprising time-independent context events at an upper level of the hierarchy and time-independent specific events at a lower level of the hierarchy, wherein zero or more specific events may be scheduled on the electronic calendar during any particular context event; interrogating the calendar events created for a user to provide information about the user; and detecting an incoming electronic mail message or an instant message for the user, and wherein the interrogating further comprises: determining whether the user's electronic calendar indicates that he is currently available for checking his electronic mail or available for instant messaging, and if not, generating an automated response informing a sender of the electronic mail message or the instant message of the user's current status using a currently-active context event for the user and, for particular context events, any currently-active specific event for the user, wherein a level of detail provided in the automated response varies, based on an identification of a sender of the incoming electronic mail message or instant message.