Calendar Service Integration via Meeting Request Emails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current calendar applications are decoupled from real-world events, requiring manual and time-consuming processes to synchronize events, and lack the ability to automatically communicate with services related to trip events and business appointments, leading to errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that integrates services into calendar applications via meeting request e-mails, allowing users to automate event updates and service interactions without additional software, using either a default or advanced updating strategy depending on the calendar application's security policy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processes are used to synchronize events between calendar application and real-world events, then the calendar application remains simple in structure, but time consumption and error rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that acts as a bridge between the calendar application and external services. This intermediary automatically receives event data from the calendar application, processes it through appropriate services (flight booking, hotel reservation, etc.), and synchronizes the results back to the calendar, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the calendar application to automatically trigger and execute service requests without user intervention. The calendar application autonomously manages event synchronization by sending requests to external services and updating its own event data based on service responses, thereby reducing time loss and manual effort
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional software components are installed to integrate services into calendar application, then service integration capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal integration mechanism that allows the calendar application to interact with multiple different services (flight booking, hotel reservation, taxi services, etc.) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach enables diverse service integration without requiring separate software components for each service, thereby maintaining system simplicity while enhancing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary component serves as a universal mediator that handles communication between the calendar application and various external services. It abstracts the complexity of service-specific protocols and interfaces, allowing the calendar application to integrate multiple services without direct complex connections to each service provider
3Productivity
If automated service execution is implemented, then productivity and error reduction improve, but security policy restrictions may prevent implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its automation behavior based on security policies. It includes mechanisms to detect and respond to security restrictions, adjusting the level of automation accordingly. When security policies permit, full automation is executed; when restrictions are detected, the system modifies its behavior to comply while maintaining core functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor security policy compliance during automated service execution. The system receives feedback about security restrictions and adjusts its automation processes accordingly, ensuring that productivity gains are achieved while maintaining reliability through policy compliance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for integrating services in a calendar application via the meeting request functionality of calendar programs comprising:initiating one or multiple services, wherein the initiation may involve the transmission of calendar event information from the calendar application to the service, the service requests being sent as meeting request e-mails to one or more service e-mail addresses, each service e-mail address representing a service,receiving the update requests generated by the one or multiple services, the update requests being meeting request response e-mails or one or multiple second meeting request e-mailsprocessing the received update requests, andupdating the calendar application.