Web-Based Appointment Scheduling System with Visual Calendar Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web-based appointment scheduling systems lack a convenient visual mechanism for users to choose timeslots and define availability rules, fail to interoperate with primary calendaring systems, and do not provide a robust mechanism for inviting customers or tracking responses to scheduling invitations.
Innovation Solution
A web-based inviter-to-invitee driven software activity scheduling system that allows users to configure available timeslots by clicking on a calendar grid, cross-referencing free/busy information from their primary calendar, and embedding customizable action buttons in email invitations to facilitate scheduling of physical meetings or communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing appointment scheduling systems are used, then basic scheduling functionality is provided, but no convenient visual mechanism is available for users to choose timeslots or define availability rules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical calendar interfaces with a web-based visual calendar grid system. Users can see their primary calendar events displayed on a visual grid and interact with it through web browser-based controls, allowing them to select available timeslots by visual inspection rather than manual calendar checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary visual calendar interface that sits between the user's primary calendar system and the appointment scheduling functionality. This intermediary layer processes and displays calendar information in a visual format, enabling users to make informed decisions about available timeslots without directly manipulating their primary calendar system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing appointment scheduling systems are used, then scheduling transactions can occur, but interoperability with primary calendaring systems is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by enabling the appointment scheduling system to work with multiple primary calendar systems (Outlook, Google Calendar, etc.) through a common web-based interface. The same visual calendar mechanism can display and reconcile events from different calendar sources, allowing users to maintain their existing calendar while adding scheduling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual calendar interface serves as an intermediary layer that connects the appointment scheduling system with various primary calendaring systems. It retrieves, displays, and reconciles events from different calendar sources in a unified visual format, enabling interoperability without requiring direct integration between the scheduling system and each calendar platform.
3Reliability
If existing appointment scheduling systems are used, then appointments can be scheduled, but no mechanism exists to cross-reference availability rules with primary calendar commitments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving and displaying all relevant calendar events and availability rules on the visual calendar grid before the user selects a timeslot. This advance display of commitments and constraints allows users to identify conflict-free timeslots through visual inspection, ensuring reliable scheduling without manual conflict checking.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing appointment scheduling systems are used, then basic scheduling is possible, but building-block configuration approach is not employed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the configuration into modular building blocks: availability rules, timeslot definitions, primary calendar integration settings, and activity types. Each component can be independently configured and combined to create customized scheduling systems, making it easy to start with basic functionality and expand as needed.
5Loss of information
If existing appointment scheduling systems are used, then scheduling transactions can occur, but robust invitation and response tracking mechanisms are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by automatically sending email invitations to invitees and tracking their responses. The system monitors whether invitees have viewed the invitation, selected a timeslot, and confirmed their attendance, providing real-time feedback to the organizer about the status of each invitation without requiring manual follow-up.
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention relates to an appointment scheduling system that allows inviters to define various activities for appointments and to invite invitees to select said appointments. The system utilizes multiple visual user interfaces to allow inviters, invitees and other users to interact with the appointment scheduling system. The system allows for inviter selection of time windows in which appointments may be allowed as well as for the customization of these properties in terms of how often and until when these defined time windows will recur. The system also utilizes various techniques to associate invitees with particular appointment activities received by the invitee through email and/or other correspondence means.