Mobile Calendar Acknowledgment via SMS Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current calendar applications on mobile devices face limitations in interoperability, as they often use proprietary formats, making it difficult for users with different calendar applications to share and acknowledge scheduling information, and mobile devices without email capabilities struggle to receive and manage calendar data using alternative transport mechanisms like SMS.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables communication of calendar appointment acknowledgments between mobile devices over data communication networks, using SMS and email, allowing for the conversion and transmission of calendar data in standardized formats like vCalendar, and enabling mobile devices to send, receive, and schedule events across heterogeneous devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If calendar applications use proprietary formats for encoding calendar data objects, then the calendar application can maintain its own scheduling data format and structure, but the recipient user cannot view or automatically store the calendar object if they are not using the same calendar application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary conversion application that translates calendar data objects from proprietary formats to standardized formats (such as vCalendar). This intermediary sits between the sending calendar application and the recipient, enabling compatibility without requiring both applications to use the same format. The conversion application receives the proprietary format calendar object, converts it to a standardized format, and delivers it to the recipient who can then view and respond to the scheduling request.
2Adaptability or versatility
If calendar objects are transmitted using email, then the sending user can deliver scheduling information to the recipient, but users of mobile devices that cannot receive email or are outside email coverage range cannot receive the calendar information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional delivery system that can transmit calendar data objects through multiple channels including email, SMS text messages, and other messaging services. The system automatically selects the appropriate delivery mechanism based on the recipient's device capabilities and availability. This universal approach ensures that calendar invitations can reach users regardless of whether they have email access or are in areas with poor email coverage, while maintaining reliable delivery through alternative pathways.
3Ease of operation
If SMS messages are used to deliver calendar reminders, then mobile devices can receive calendar information without email capability, but the SMS message cannot be used to actively schedule and confirm attendance or update the calendar data store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SMS message includes a unique identifier and response instructions that allow the recipient to automatically confirm attendance or provide feedback about the scheduling request. When the recipient responds via SMS with a predetermined response code or message, the system automatically processes this feedback, updates the calendar data store with the attendance confirmation, and notifies the sending user. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic scheduling and confirmation capabilities even when using SMS as the delivery medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for communicating calendar appointment acknowledgements to a sender from a recipient device, in particular a mobile communication device capable of receiving SMS messages. The sender creates a calendar object comprising calendar event data, designates a recipient, and selects a transport method for delivering the calendar event data. If the transport method is SMS, then a calendar object message in plaintext SMS format is prepared, comprising a unique identifier, and transmitted to the recipient. The recipient's mobile communication device receives the SMS message and parses the message to extract the calendar event data, and transmits an acknowledgement to the sender including the unique identifier.