Compound Meeting Scheduling With Individualized Invites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scheduling multiple meetings with overlapping time slots is labor-intensive and inefficient, as existing methods require setting up separate invitations and blocking entire time windows for all attendees, leading to confusion and scheduling conflicts.
Innovation Solution
A computerized system allows users to set up compound meetings with individualized electronic invitations, using a dynamic calendar grid to specify start and stop times for each attendee, eliminating the need for separate meeting setups and avoiding the blocking of entire time windows for all invitees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If one appointment invite is sent to all interviewers covering the cumulative time window, then the setup time is reduced, but the electronic calendars will incorrectly show that all interviewers are busy for the entire cumulative time window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single cumulative time window into multiple individual time slots, each corresponding to a specific sub-meeting. The system generates separate invite entries for each time slot within the cumulative window, allowing the calendar to correctly display availability for periods when the recruiter is not meeting with any interviewer. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining accurate calendar information while still enabling efficient bulk invitation setup.
2Loss of information
If separate appointment invites are generated and emailed to each interviewer, then the calendar information is accurate, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the invitation process by allowing the recruiter to input all interviewer information and the cumulative time window in a single operation. The system then automatically generates and processes multiple individual invite entries for each time slot within that window. This combining approach maintains accurate calendar information while dramatically reducing the manual effort and time required compared to generating separate invites for each interviewer individually.
3Device complexity
If one invite covers the cumulative time window for all sub-meetings, then the number of invites is reduced, but it blocks off times for the entire duration for all invitees when they are only busy for specific sub-meetings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cumulative time window into discrete time slots, with each slot representing a specific sub-meeting. The system generates invite entries that are active only during their specific time slot rather than blocking the entire cumulative window. This allows the calendar to show accurate availability information, enabling other users to schedule meetings during periods when the recruiter is not occupied, while still maintaining a simplified single-input invitation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Computerized systems and methods allow a user, in a single set up process, to set up multiple sub-meetings in a compound meeting and have individualized invites sent to the invited individuals. A dynamic, interactive calendar graphic can be used where the user can drag meeting time indicators for each invited individual to desired time slots. Once suitable meeting times are established, the user can cause the invites to be sent electronically to each invitee, and each invite is individualized to the meeting start and stop times for the recipient.