Abstract:
A wireless system having a central family calendar. Individual family members may access the family calendar from their wireless devices. The system also includes telephone and address information for non-family members. Important dates such as birthdays, associated with the non-family members may automatically appear in the calendar. The system may be incorporated into other family accessible devices such as a family bulletin board.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]    This application is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 09/607,638, filed Jun. 30, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Touch Screen Input”, Ser. No. 09/659,416, filed Sep. 11, 2000, entitled “Network with Mobile Terminals as Browsers having wireless access to the Internet and Method for Using the Same” and continuing application of the previous having Ser. No. 09/607637 filed on Sep. 11, 2000 and Ser. No. 09/609,581 filed Jun. 30, 2000 entitled “Network with Mobile Terminals Having Wireless Access to the Internet and Method for Using Same” and Ser. No. 09/607369 filed Jun. 30, 2000 entitled “User Interface Constructed from Components Created from Set of TAGs” and Ser. No. U.S. Pat. No. 09/608174 filed Jun. 30, 2000 entitled “Handheld Terminal with Multiple Scrolling Means” and Ser. No. 09/607359 filed Jun. 30, 2000 entitled “System and Method for Providing a Virtual Keyboard for a Wireless Terminal”. This application is also related to other applications (Attorney Docket Nos. 017.38954X00-017.38960X00 and 017.38962X00). These are all assigned to and commonly owned by Nokia Corporation and are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to a calendar shared between family members and, more particularly, to a calendar which can be accessed from wireless devices by members of the family.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Since members of present day families have active lives outside the family, they often have schedules beyond family events, and it is desirable that some kind of common listing of various activities of the family members be available for planning purposes. One of the simplest methods of doing this in the past has been taking a paper calendar and posting it in a common area of the household so that various scheduled events can be listed together. While such a system is convenient in terms of simplicity of use and easy scanning, there are some drawbacks to this type of system. In particular, in order to access this system, it is necessary to physically be present at its location. Thus, it is impossible for a family member to obtain information about events unless they are at home and in front of the calendar. Also, there is some difficulty for recurring events in that they must be entered manually a number of times. While this system is very workable, these drawbacks make it less convenient for family members who are away from home most of the day.  
           [0006]    A more recent suggestion for an electronic calendar is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,343, which uses a web based system so that individual calendars can be accessed from their own computers. However, this does not provide a system, which is easily shared among multiple users of the same family. Also, it is still necessary for a user to be at his computer in order to utilize this system.  
           [0007]    Another recent development is referred to as the “Ericsson Air Calendar”. This system utilizes a wireless telephone to allow access to calendar information on the web or on a corporate network. This system utilizes synchronization between the phone and the air calendar server. The desired access to one user&#39;s calendar may be granted to other users to facilitate scheduling.  
           [0008]    While these systems do not require a physical centrally located calendar, the ability to share information is still limited and the use of a single calendar also for individuals within the family is not easily provided. In addition, the use of such a calendar to interact with other family related devices is not available.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a calendar system, which may be accessed by wireless devices from several family members.  
           [0010]    The present invention also provides a wireless calendar system, which allows access by different members of a family in a common calendar.  
           [0011]    The present invention further provides a family calendar system which is accessed by wireless units and which also interacts with other family devices such as message boards and address lists.  
           [0012]    The present invention still further provides a family calendar which is accessed by wireless devices and which is part of a family information system.  
           [0013]    The present invention also provides a wireless family calendar having month, week and day displays with the month display being linear.  
           [0014]    This is achieved by providing a central server, wirelessly connected to terminals, which stores both individual and family calendars. Other family information such as information about friends may also be stored and interact with the calendar. Events are easily added or modified by using a terminal of the system authorizing the access to family calendar services.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 shows the overall system of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 shows a terminal of a system; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 shows a server of a system; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a display of a week of the calendar of the present invention; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a display of a week of the calendar of the present invention in which screen areas are identified; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a display of a day in the calendar of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a display of a day in the calendar of the present invention in which detailed screen area is identified. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, wherein one example of the environment invention is the system  10  of the present invention is shown as including terminals  20 ,  20   b , 20   c , each coupled over a wireless system to an access point  22 ,  22   a . The access point is coupled  22  to a network e.g. owned by an operator like an internet service provider  24  which is coupled to the internet  26 . In addition, the network such as internet service provider  24  is coupled to a mobile display appliance server  28  that provides the users with specific services and features through their wireless terminals. Alternatively, the access point  22  can be connected directly to server  28  via any network connection.  
         [0024]    It is also possible that a terminal  20 c outside the service area of access point  22  may be connected to server  28  by instead being in the vicinity of another access point  42 , which then is connected to server  28  through e.g. internet service provider  44 , and the internet or other network.  
         [0025]    The access point  22  is also coupled to a global unit or product vendor  34 . The address of global address registry  36  with a global unit is known by the terminal. A direct connection is established between terminal via a network access point or server of Internet Service Provider  24 . As according to one alternative addressing scheme to this chosen exemplary system environment of the invention, an address of a server  28  is received to terminal and the network node, where from the request to global register was made. After the terminal has knowledge of the address of the server  28 , a direct link can be made from the terminal to the server. The internet address of a global unit  34  with the global address server  36  is permanently contained in the memory of each terminal  20 . The global address server is a place from which all the terminals may fetch the internet address from their respective remote server. The initial configuration information and or the configuration of a direct link is loaded down to the terminalfrom the remote server to the terminal where it was stored as part of the configuration information. This information can be updated from e.g. the internet service provider, access service provider or mobile access provider from time to time. The configuration and the addressing of the terminal in the system as well as any direct address link configured to the terminal user interface is also updated down to a remote server when it is changed. The global unit  34  includes a global address server  36  and a global upgrade server  38 . The vendor of the system terminal is connected either directly via network e.g. the internet to each remote server  28  or connected in a more centralized way first to the server of the terminal vendor and from there onto each server  28 . The advantage of having the terminals store the internet address of the global address server  36  is that if the terminal  20  is relocated near another access point, then the terminal  20  may still obtain the internet access location of server  28  simply by knowing the internet address of the global address server  36 . It would also be possible, to instead have a system where the address of the server  28  is stored in the terminal  20  and the memory updated as needed. The server  28  authenticates, using the unique identity of the terminal  20 , that the terminal  20  has shared or group access privileges. Accordingly, the terminal  20  is authenticated and logged onto the server  28  to begin a shared session at a shared or group level.  
         [0026]    After the terminal has been authenticated and the terminal has received the downloaded configuration information of services, user interface and links configured concerning the services and interface the main view of the user interface of the terminal, which is a part of the downloaded information to the terminal, the terminal is ready to be used. Then each terminal includes a unique identification (ID), the IDs are reserved and used by members belonging to the same group. Each of the unique identification of the terminals is recognised in the same server  28  to be used by the members of the group. Every member belonging to respective group may use same terminal. When one or more terminals each of the terminals including a unique terminal identification is switched on, then each terminal belonging to the same group request from the global address server  36  with terminal unique identification the address of the server  28  in which the applications and services are stored and ready to be used. Then each of the terminals belonging to the same group will get address of the same server  28  into which each of the terminals is connected. Thus, the user can now access services or retrieve information from the server  28  or the Internet  26 .  
         [0027]    In addition the terminal to be used to access and use the services of the group the terminal can be used to access services of an individual user. In order for the user to initiate an individual session and retrieve individual information, the user must use the terminal  20  and provide further authentication to the server  28  to gain access at the individual level. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, either at shared/group or at individual level, the user is able to the retrieve the information related to the group of users as well as browse the Internet  26  to retrieve information.  
         [0028]    The mobile terminal to be used can be ordinary PC and a wireless modem being able to establish a wireless connection via a mobile service operator to the server  28  having capability to be in connection to the network. A mobile terminal can be such a terminal that is described in detail in any of the still secret patent applications U.S. Pat. No. 09/607637, U.S. Pat. No. 09/659416 or U.S. Pat. No. 09/609581.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a terminal, which shows the calendar application of the invention embodiment on the display operating within the system shown in FIG. 1 when the terminal is used in such a way, that a calendar application is selected as the used service at the time. Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal  20  includes a display  70 , a user interface (UI) framework  72 , a browser  74 , a driver  76 , and processor  78 . Each element is shown here for reference only and the location of each element is not intended to be a defined location of one element relative to the other elements. For example, the user interface  72  may be located in the display, as a part of the display, or independent of the display.  
         [0030]    When the user access a service like a calendar service or retrieve information from the server  28  the browser  74  (in FIG. 2) is the program product that in charged to convey the service specific information and the main view of the selected application service such as calendar service from the server  28  (of FIG. 1) to the terminal  20  (of FIG. 1 and  2 ).  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram representation of the server of the system of the network shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the server  28  includes a support server  46 , a response handler or application server  48 , a network application server  50 , and a directory server  52 . As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art the referenced connections do not depict the physical connections between the elements but merely logical connections. The support server  46  provides services oriented towards enabling and supporting the services provided to the terminal  20 . The support server  46  includes an upgrade service unit  54 , a bookmark service database unit  55 , a login services unit  56 , a bookmark database  57 , a profile services unit  58 , a client log unit  59  for collecting information about clients, an advertisement services unit  60 , a system log unit  61  for collecting information about events in the server  28  from the client log unit  59 , an administrative services unit  62 , a defined services unit  64 , and a directory client unit  66 .  
         [0032]    Still referring to FIG. 3, the upgrade services unit  54  is dedicated to controlled software upgrade of the software for the support server  46 . Updates are transmitted from the global upgrade server  38  (in FIG. 1) to the upgrade service unit  54 . The login services unit  56  provides for authentication of the user and the terminal  20  that is being used to access the services based on information provided by the client unit  66 . Additionally, the login services unit  56  is also responsible for log-off activities, such as individual session termination. The profile services unit  58  provides for modifying a user&#39;s profile information. This modification of a user&#39;s profile may include modifying the group and individual information and preferences. The administration services unit  62  provides for administration of the support server  46  and the application server  48 . The software product updates are transmitted from the global upgrade server  38  (in FIG. 1) and its configuration tool manager to the upgrade service unit  54  in FIG. 3 and its configuration tool client. The configuration tool client is the function unit, that acts when any configuration tool manager  38  (in FIG. 1) of management server  37  (in FIG. 1) upgrades any software component, full executable software program or re-configures configuration parameters; application and system parameters.  
         [0033]    In FIG. 1 a firewall  40  is protecting the connection to and from the global unit  34 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the firewall unit  40  functions to provide secured access to the global address server  36  and the global upgrade server  38 . In FIG. 3 The advertisement services unit  60  provides for the server  28  to tailor advertisements to the user and the terminal  20  according to the user&#39;s profile information. The defined services unit  64  is a classification of “other services” containing items such as bookmark management services, help services, and log services, name management services, and general management services. The directory client unit  66  is coupled to the directory server  52  to provide client verification.  
         [0034]    In FIG. 3 . the remote register management and control unit  67 , that knows the closest or the global terminal validation register address and control unit  67  may also interpret the answer received from said register. Typically, in terminal in the the browser login action, the server  28  browser client specific parameters  68  are managed individually. That management information of one terminal browser session is stored and used when request is received from an identified terminal  20 . Other requests received from terminals ( 20   a  or  20   b ) processing different identification information (IDs) will use browser client specific parameters ( 68   a ,  68   b ) and may result in, for instance, seeking of bookmarks for the terminal when action request originated from terminal.  
         [0035]    In FIG. 1. the terminal may have access through proper authentication and service purchases to third party publications available from a vendor  33 , such as news related information found in magazine publications or the daily newspaper, The user interface of the terminal  20  (of FIG. 1) offers for the user alternative selections means to select command and a target to the command in main menu of the terminal view or in an application such as calendar that is used at a time.  
         [0036]    The marker or selection means, that user can use one of the means in the following list; external mouse that is connected to the terminal, external keypad that is connected to the terminal, visual and virtual keypad that is displayed to the touch sensitive screen (and described in detail in the cross referenced patent application U.S. Pat. No. 09/607359), direct manipulation selection arrangement made with fingertips or e.g. a pen to touch sensitive screen user interface selections (as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 09/607638), the integrated roller(s) in the terminal and roller control buttons (as described in detail in a cross referenced patent application U.S. Pat. No. 09/607359).  
         [0037]    When the external mouse is used for marking the target into which user&#39;s commands are to be directed, marking the target of the command is done typically by pressing one button once (the left most button). Then application specific command is typically selected from a menu (like Edit menu) and then selected command affects the previously marked target of the command. (This basic mouse selection pattern is currently known in any PC.) When an external keypad is used, the marking or selection concerning target of the selected command may be done by moving the active selection point to up, down, left or right with the “arrow buttons”. The actual selection or marking is then done by pressing &lt;enter&gt;button. Also alternative to moving the active marking with “arrow buttons” (−&lt;,&lt;−, . . ) the marking point can be moved for instance by pressing “tab” button and the user interface of the application may move the active marking position from one target to another in such a way, that all the possible targets in one view, one at a time is available to be selected. Then the command that is to be processed for the selected target is typically given by pressing some button control like for instance &lt;ctrl&gt;button and in the same time a character button (like “W”) or two concatenation character button pressings (like “W” and “O”, the first character defining the menu set and the second the command in that menu set or the first character defining the command and the second target where to the response is directed e.g. save to memory). (This kind of marking and selection is known at present in any PC user interface.)  
         [0038]    When the virtual keypad is used for the marking or selection marking the target and giving a command may be done similarly as above described external keypad case, but instead of using “arrow buttons” or “tabs” to select or mark the target and character or function buttons to give certain commands to selected target, the user may do the keypad button selection with his fingertips directly to display “the soft keys”. The soft keys are the keypad buttons drawn on the touch sensitive display to look like hard button keys of the keypad). (This virtual keypad means and methods are currently presented in at cross-referenced patent application U.S. Pat. No. 09/607359.  
         [0039]    When direct manipulation selection is used, the application that is used can be controlled from user interface by user making first selecting the target by directly touching the target area in the touch sensitive display. In the next step a menu of commands or a command button is selected (from the view if presented at the moment) and in the third step is when the given command is processed for the selected object. Possibly a status indication of the processed command is shown in the display of the user interface. (The direct manipulation methods are presented in currently secret patent applications U.S. Pat. No. 09/607638.) The terminal  20  (in FIG. 1) user issues commands to the terminal  20  and the server  28  by using direct manipulation and from menu-type of UI controls (object menu, toolbar etc.). He either press the hardware or software button down, keeps his finger on hardware or software button for a longer period, moves his finger over the touch-sensitive touch screen and lifts his finger from the hardware or software buttons. All of these basic user interactions— or basic user events— need to be detected by the hardware and software. Hardware and software buttons are therefore at particular software level considered identical. From user interaction point of view they are to be considered even.  
         [0040]    Depending on the used service application the user given selection and command from the terminal interface, the given command may affect the application content information of the service used by the group members. The authenticated group member may change the group calendar content according to given command in such a way, that other authorized members of the same group get the latest group calendar information from the server  28 .  
         [0041]    As noted in related case (Attorney Docket No. 017.38962X00) when this system is actuated from a wireless device, the first view is of a bulletin board containing messages for members of the group, which is also known as a family. Other tabs are available for displaying other functions of this system. In particular, the third tab, indicated by a calendar, is actuated to show the calendar feature. Of course, the system may have only the calendar function if preferred, or may be set so that the calendar function is displayed when first actuated.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 shows the week view display generated when the calendar is actuated (in the screen area 1). However the calendar application may be configured alternatively to show first other view like e.g. a monthly view. The top section of the display is another screen area (the screen area 2), than the week view or the initial calendar view area. The other view area (the screen area 2) can be a month frame, which lists for example the name of the month and displays in a linear fashion, or ruler presentation, the days of the month in a line. By talking of frame it does not tie the technical implementation to certain user interface software architecture, that is composed of frames like in MSWindows™, but instead the example of the interface of a calendar week view presented in FIG. 4 looks like view areas of essentially square or like the a frame. In the month ruler presentation the days of the week corresponding to each date is also indicated immediately below the number. A week designation may also be displayed at the beginning of each week. Thus, it is common in many countries to number the weeks of the year and this is so indicated. Forward and backward arrows are also included near the month name which, when actuated, produces a display of the previous or succeeding month. If actuated repeatedly, months in the previous or succeeding year will also appear.  
         [0043]    Beneath the month display is a seven column displays, which are shown in FIG. 5 in a week view in such a way, that certain screen areas are marked (in the screen area  3 A in FIG. 5) for indicating the current week and the activities for the days of that week. A different week can also be displayed by selecting that week in the month frame (the screen area 1 in FIG. 5). However, the current week will always be the default setting. Each of the seven columns represents the schedule for one day of the week.  
         [0044]    By selecting one of the seven columns, the display will be changed to a day view as shown in FIGS. 4, 5,  6  and  7 . As shown in this FIG. 5, the month arrangement (the screen area 2) will remain at the top of the view, along with the tab indicators (in the screen area 1). In FIG. 6 is presented a day view of the calendar. In FIG. 7 is shown a day view of the calendar in which certain screen area is marked in detail. However, in the day view the lower section (the screen area 3B in FIG. 7) will be arranged to list in order the events for that day, in a similar fashion to the week display (in FIG. 6 and  7 ), but with more space being allowed for comments and explanations. The actual times may be present in the daily display (in the so-called day view in FIG. 6 and  7 , that would not normally be shown in the weekly display (in the week view in FIG. 4 and  5 ). A color coding may be used in both the daily (in the day view) and weekly (in the week view) displays if so indicated when the event is input. A color coding may be used to indicate events for different members of the family, relative importance of the event or type of event.  
         [0045]    New calendar events are created in a certain standard way (in a same and pre-defined way) from a service menu. The user of the terminal first selects a particular day and then new calendar event view is shown in the display. A virtual keyboard is shown so that the new event can be typed and other information regarding its occurrence can also be determined. It is also possible to modify any event already in the agenda by clicking on that particular event. If external keyboard is connected to the terminal the information can be typed by using it instead of the virtual keyboard.  
         [0046]    Additionally the input interface enables direct manipulation of the visual representations of the calendar events. The user is able to create and edit events in the same views of the system where the information is presented.  
         [0047]    Each day&#39;s events are sorted according to time if desired. Events that have no specific start time are displayed on top. It is also possible to instead sort the events by type or alphabetically. According to user interface style definition of the terminal interface of the system, there is always one-day event row selected. When an object (the target to be given command) is selected, in the user interface is shown an object menu symbol, from which the user can select commands, that affects the selected object (the target of the given command). The user of the terminal may select different objects (the targets) use different selection markers (e.g. like external mouse, integrated rollers to the terminal and its control keys, direct manipulation means, external or virtual keyboard) and object menu follow the present selection visually in the user interface display. When a new calendar event is entered, both the start and end time are specified. In addition, it is possible to select a color to mark the calendar event. If a color is not selected, a default color is used which can be keyed to the particular user or other defaults may be set.  
         [0048]    Each new event is also designated to either be listed on the family calendar or just on the individual&#39;s calendar. Thus, any member of the family can look at and add to the family calendar and also look at and add to their private calendar, but cannot look at and add to another&#39;s calendar.  
         [0049]    The starting and ending times may be entered in different formats as predefined by the user. Thus, the use of a.m. and p.m. may be selected or military time. A colon or a period may be used between hours and minutes. Initial zeros may be suppressed or not as can ending double zeros. Default settings for beginning of the day may be 8:00 or other times and ending times may be 8:30 p.m. An event may be indicated as being an all day event if desired.  
         [0050]    An event may also be indicated as to reminders. That is, if selected, a reminder is placed on the family notice board ( in note format at the appropriate time as described in co-filed in another patent application with this invention description). The beginning and ending time that the note should be displayed may be set in terms of hour, days, months, etc. If the event will occur more than once, a recurrence button may be pressed and the number of days or weeks that it will reoccur is indicated. In doing so, it is only necessary to type up the event once and it will then be copied the requisite number of times. All fields in a new event dialog (the new event editing display view section in the user interface), contain default values in such a way that in the most simplest method the user enters information by selecting the day and writing the description of the event (the content). Although the term family has been used above in the traditional sense of a nuclear family living together, it is also possible for the system to operate for a number of people who share quarters but are otherwise unrelated. It would also be possible to utilize such a system for any other grouping of people having a common business or hobby interest.  
         [0051]    Another function available to this wireless system is the storage of people information. This information may be viewed by touching the tab on the right in the main view of the display. This tab is indicated by a drawing or an image of presenting several people. For each person listed, it is possible to gather at one place appropriate information regarding that person. This would include name, address, phone number, email address and possibly other data such as birth dates.  
         [0052]    It would also be possible to list some more information for a group of a people. The information in the group would then include individuals which could be listed separately.  
         [0053]    When a new person is to be added to the listing, a new contact card is created when user pushes a “new card”-button. The information regarding that person is then entered into the various fields. The information may include more than one phone number, email address or actual address if the person has both a work and home phone or a summer and winter residence. Various other pieces of information may also be added such as a birthday or other appropriate date. When a new person is added, a button, which indicates that the person belongs to a group (that is for instance another user group called a family or a club)can be pressed in order to bring up a listing of different groups. The appropriate groups are then indicated and that person would be automatically added to those groups. When a birthday or other day is indicated, it is possible to indicate whether this day should be displayed on the calendar application on a regular basis. Similarly from any other application from the system can be brought event(s) to the calendar application. From the calendar application when certain predefined rule expires like advanced defined time to do something (like a week time to do anything necessary according to the content of event) pre certain defined time like a birthday an event is created to another application of the system for instance to the notice board.  
         [0054]    Once this information is placed in storage, the indicated dates will appear on the calendar in a standard fashion. In addition, if messages are being sent to listed people, it is possible to rely on this information to obtain the appropriate address or telephone number. For example, if a reminder is placed on the calendar and this reminder relates to sending a message to someone outside the family, the call can be made using the information stored in relation to each person.  
         [0055]    Thus, this arrangement not only makes it possible to store information concerning outsiders in the same fashion as a traditional telephone list, but it allows interaction between the listings of outside people and the calendar in order to list important dates and also allows for interaction with the message board for placing calls.  
         [0056]    Instead of using the system terminal as user terminal, it is also possible, that user may be connected to the server  28  (in FIG. 1) of the group by using an ordinary PC and a modem connection (wired or wireless)  21  in FIG. 1 to the network.  
         [0057]    Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.