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BACKGROUND AND PRIOR APPLICATIONS
In earlier application Ser. No. 831,878, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,800, there
is provided a remote controlled, interactive telephone appointment
scheduler that enables a caller to make an appointment over the telephone
without the need for a person at the receiving end of the telephone line.
In other of said earlier applications, and in earlier U.S. Pat. No.
4,162,610, now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,655 there are provided other
electronic schedulers enabling users to make appointments, keep readily
accessable schedules of appointments, and otherwise more efficiently
manage the use of available time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic
scheduler and system of this kind that provides a greater degree of
versatility, including more automatic searching of the electronic memory,
thereby enabling a user to more easily, promptly, and automatically find a
satisfactory time for appointment with another.
More specifically, there is provided a multiple mode of operation
electronic scheduler for making appointments in which a user need only
specify a desired mode of operation and a desired time parameter,
including one of a desired time-of-day; a desired day or day of the week;
or other desired time parameter for an appointment, and the scheduler
automatically locates an available time slot for appointment within the
selected time parameter. Where the scheduler is used for making
appointments with any one of a series of different persons, the user also
selects the particular person with whom the appointment is desired. For
example, where the user selects a time-of-day mode and selects a desired
time-of-day for appointment with a particular person, the scheduler
automatically searches its memory to locate an available time slot that is
free for appointment with the selected person at the selected time-of-day,
and notifies the user of the day for such appointment. Where an available
time slot cannot be found according to the user's preference, the
scheduler so informs the user and suggests that the user select a
different mode and/or a different time parameter.
According to further features of the invention, the scheduler of the
present invention may be used locally with access by use of a local
keyboard; or like parent application Ser. No. 831,878, now U.S. Pat. No.
4,783,800, referred to above, may be interconnected with a telephone line,
to permit callers to make appointments over the telephone without the need
for a person at the receiving end of the line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multi-mode scheduler of the
present invention selectively connectable to a telephone line,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 1, showing the appointment
scheduler usable for making appointments with any one of a number of
persons,
FIG. 3 is a similar block diagram showing the circuit interconnections
where the user selects a preferred day mode of operation,
FIG. 4 is a similar block diagram showing the circuitry where the user
selects a preferred time-of-day mode of operation,
FIG. 5 is a similar block diagram showing the circuitry where the user
selects a week mode-of-operation.
FIG. 6 is a similar block diagram showing the circuitry when the user
selects a schedule of Priority appointments and/or non-Priority
appointments for a particular time period.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As earlier disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,610, now reissue 32,655; and in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,510, the electronic scheduler of the present invention
is preferably made in small size, employing completely solid state
dedicated components, for use as a hand carryable unit or as a small desk
top unit. It employs an internal memory of sufficiently large capacity to
randomly receive and store a large number of appointments and events by
day or time period, covering a large number of days in the future. A
keyboard is provided for enabling a user to enter and selectively read-out
schedules of appointments by day and time-of-day; and the appointments are
selectively displayed on a screen and/or audibly announced and/or printed
out on a sheet of paper or the like. The present invention provides for
various automatic operation of such a scheduler in a number of different
modes-of operation as selected by a user.
FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple mode-of-operation scheduler 10, according to
the present invention, that may be used locally by a user under control of
a keyboard 14 or alternatively, may be selectively connectable to a
telephone line 17, via switches 18a, 18b, and 18c, for enabling a remotely
located caller 19 to make an appointment over the telephone line 17,
without the need for a person at the receiving end of the line 17.
As shown in FIG. 1, for remote controlled operation, the electronic
scheduler 10 is interconnected with a telephone answering machine 20, a
digital decoder circuit 21, an audible instruction generator 22, and an
audible schedule announcer 12. As previously disclosed in greater detail
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,796, telephone calls from the remote caller 19 are
intercepted by the telephone answering machine 20, and a message is
announced to the caller 19 by the message generator 22, to instruct the
caller 19 in the procedure to be followed in making the appointment. Such
instructions are preferably brief and easy to understand including a
request that the caller initially select a time period when an appointment
is desired, that may include a particular day, or day of the week, a
specific time-of-day; a morning or afternoon appointment; or an
appointment at any time within a given week, or other preferred
mode-of-operation. Such initial mode selection is easily made by the
caller 19 depressing a different number key for each mode, on the keypad
of the telephone, or dialing such number on the dial of the telephone.
Where the user is located at the situs of the scheduler 10, this initial
mode-of-operation selection is made using a keyboard 14 and switches 16,
as instructed by a message appearing on the visual screen of the display
11 and/or being audibly announced by annunciator 22.
After making the initial selection of a desired mode-of-operation, the user
or caller 19 is then instructed by annunciator 22 and/or display , to
select a desired time parameter for that mode by depressing a different
number on the telephone keypad or closing the same number on the local
keyboard 14, 15, 16. For example, where a user desires an appointment only
at a particular time-of-day, e.g. 3:00 PM, the user or caller 19 initially
depresses a key corresponding to the desired time-of-day mode of
operation, and then depresses a number key for "3" followed by depressing
the "*" key for PM. In a similar manner, if the user desires an
appointment only on a particular day, the user selects a day
mode-of-operation (by initially depressing a number key designated for
that mode), followed by later depressing another number key or keys
corresponding to the time parameter for that mode, such as the date for
the selected day.
Upon making these simplified selections using the telephone keypad, or
locally using the keyboards and switches 14, 15, 16, the electronic
scheduler 10 is placed in the automatic mode of operation selected by the
user, to automatically interrogate its memory and seek an available
appointment time-of-day in accordance with the user's preferences. In the
event such a free time slot is located, the display 11 and audible
schedule announcer 12 is energized to inform the local user or remote
caller 19, that the preferred appointment time is available and to
additionally enter such an appointment into the memory of the scheduler
10. The remote caller 19, or local user, is also instructed by announcer
22, to confirm the appointment by audibly dictating the caller's
identification (e.g. name, address, phone number etc.) into the phone for
recording by the telephone answerer 20 together with a verbal restatement
of the date and time for the scheduler appointment. Where the user is
locally situated, the same information can be dictated into a local voice
recorder (not shown), as instructed by local visual display 11 and/or
announced by the audible instructor 22.
On the other hand, if the preferred appointment time-of-day or data
selected by the caller 19 or user is not available, the user is informed (
audibly and/or by display, as previously described) to select a different
mode-of-operation, or a different time parameter, or both, in seeking an
appointment.
According to the present invention, there is provided a number of different
modes of operation that can be individually selected by the user or
caller, to most conveniently suit the caller's needs. For example, as
briefly discussed above, the user can select a time-of-day mode and
specify a desired time for appointment. The scheduler 10 is then
automatically interrogated for each succeeding day until finding a free
time slot at the selected time-of-day. Alternatively, the user can select
a day mode of operation, followed by the selection of a particular day,
such as the next day. The scheduler 10 is then automatically interrogated
for each time slot on the following day, until finding the first available
free time slot for that day. In a similar manner, the user may prefer only
an afternoon appointment (e.g. an appointment from 12:30 PM until 5 PM).
In this mode, the scheduler 10 is automatically interrogated for the
afternoon periods only of the next succeeding series of days until finding
the first available time slot in the afternoon for the earliest day. Still
other modes that can be selected are a particular day of the week (e.g. a
Wednesday); or only a morning appointment (e.g. from 9 AM to 12 PM); or a
series of different times-of-day that would be convenient; or others. For
each such different mode selection, the memory of the scheduler is
automatically interrogated for a reasonable period of days (such as the
next four days or week) to seek a free time slot according to the mode and
time parameter that has been entered by the user or caller 19. In the
event that such a time slot is found, the user is notified and requested
to confirm the appointment day and time-of-day. In the event that such a
desired appointment is not available, the user or caller is notified and
requested to select a different mode and/or time parameter, as discussed
above. Alternatively it may be desired that the caller 19 or user be
informed to visit or telephone a different number and make an appointment
with a receptionist, secretary, or other person in a conventional
person-to person manner, in the event that the automatic interrogation of
the scheduler 10 does not locate a free time slot on the first try by the
user.
Still further according to the present invention, the electronic scheduler
10 may be placed into use for a number of different persons such as those
commonly involved in a related business or professional practice, such as
a clinic including a series of physicians. For such group type use, the
appointments for each of such persons in the related practice or business
are entered into the memory of the scheduler 10, with each such
appointment being identified in the memory as associated with the
particular person of the group. The caller 19 or local user is then
additionally instructed to select the particular person with whom an
appointment is desired, as well as specifying the mode and the time
parameter within that mode as discussed above. After making such
selections, by entering the numbered keys on the telephone keypad or on
the local keyboard 14, 15, 16, the scheduler is automatically interrogated
for the appointment schedules of only the person selected, to seek an
available time slot for the mode and time parameter preferred by the user
or caller. All other functions subsequently performed by the scheduling
system are the same as those described above.
FIG. 2 illustrates portions of such an automatic scheduling system for use
by groups of persons as described above. As shown, the user (or caller)
initially enters a selection of the mode-of-operation desired, and of the
preferred time parameter, through use of the keyboard 33, in the same
manner as previously discussed. The user then makes a selection of the
particular person with whom such an appointment is desired by depressing
the appropriate one of the switches 38. All of these selections are
interpreted by the circuit 32, and the internal memory 30 is automatically
interrogated accordingly by the interrogator circuitry 31 to locate a free
time slot in the manner previously described. If a free time slot is
found, the user is notified and confirms the appointment. If not, the user
or caller is instructed to make other selections, or to call or visit to
make an appointment in a person-to person manner. As shown, the scheduler
of FIG. 2 is selectively connectable to the telephone line 17, in the same
manner as previously described in FIG. 1, to permit such group scheduling
to be performed over the telephone line 17. In both embodiments of FIGS. 1
and 2, individual appointments can also be entered locally, and at random,
by inputs 33 (FIG. 2), as disclosed in greater detail in earlier U.S. Pat.
No. 4,162,610; reissue U.S. Pat. No. 32,655, and others discussed above.
FIG. 3 shows in greater detail the preferred circuit interconnections of
the electronic scheduler system where the user, or caller, selects a day
mode of operation, thereby indicating a preference for an appointment at
the first available time during a selected day. Such selection, including
a time parameter (particular day); and possibly including a desired person
(for group scheduling uses), are entered over input cable 40 from a
keyboard or telephone, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the selection
circuits 41 to effect the gate interconnections as shown in the drawing.
The selection of the day mode and of a specific day, closes the and gate
circuits 43 for the day memory 45 that is associated with the selected
day. The select circuit 41 also closes the AND gate 42; energizes the day
generator 47 and time-of-day generator 48; and pulse counter 49. Closing
of the and gate 42 applies the succession of clock pulses from clock
generator 50 through gates 42 and 43 to interrogate each of the time slots
slots in the day memory 45 in chronological order, in an automatic manner.
Memory 45 is preferably a matrix type well known and available on the open
market, with each different time slot for the selected day being allocated
at a different location, or address, in the matrix. The succession of
clock pulses are directed by a shift register circuit, or the like (not
shown), to interrogate each address, until locating a free time slot in
the matrix. Upon locating such a free time slot, an output signal is
generated from day memory 45, and passes through gate 57, to the output
circuit 56, that may comprise a display, printer, and/or audible announcer
as shown in FIG. 1. The closing of gate 57 also passes the output signals
from the day generator 47 and the time of day generator 48 to the output
circuit, to be displayed, printed, and/or audibly announced. The day
generator 47 and time-of-day generator 48 are both conventional solid
state circuits commonly used in electronic digital watches to display the
day and time. However, instead of continuously showing the changing time
and date, these signal are gated by the gate 57, to pass only the date and
time for the free time slot that has been located by automatic
interrogation of the day memory 45.
The output signal from day memory 45, is also fed back over line 45a to
enter a new appointment into memory 45 at that time slot, and also fed
back over line 45b to close the clock gate 42 and discontinue
interrogation of the memory 45. The output from memory 45 is also directed
to delay circuit 51, through gate 150 to energize the reset line 52, for
resetting the entire circuit after the free time slot has been located,
entered into memory, and the user has been notified. The memory output
from memory 45 also closes gate 54 to energize the message #1 circuit 54a,
thereby to notify the user or caller, of the appointment, and to request
that the user confirm the appointment as discussed above.
In the event that the automatic interrogation of the selected day memory 45
does not locate a free time slot that is available for appointment, an
output is not produced during interrogation of this memory 45. Instead, a
counter 49, being pulsed concurrently with the memory 45, generates a
pulse after such interrogation is completed, to message #2 generator 55a
to inform the user and to request that a different mode or time parameter
be selected, as discussed above. In the event of an output from the day
memory 45, representing a free time slot, the alternate message generator
55a is disabled by the flip flop circuit 53 responding to the memory 45,
whereby the user is only informed of the appointment being made and not
given any no appointment message.
Briefly recapitulating the functioning of the circuit for the user's
selection of a day mode, and the selection of a particular day, the
section of the memory 45 containing the storage of appointments for that
day (e.g. memory 45) is automatically interrogated by the clock pulses
from 50, with the different time slots being chronologically interrogated.
Assuming that appointments are to be scheduled every fifteen minute
interval, during the day from 9 AM to 5 PM, each cf the day memories, or
sections of the memories need have only 28 time slots, or addresses that
are allocated for storage of appointments for that day. In the event that
a free or uncommitted time slot is located during such chronological
interrogation, an output signal is produced that discontinues further
interrogation of the memory, informs the user or caller of the
availability, enters the appointment and resets the circuit, as discussed
above. However, in the event that all 28 time slots for that day have been
previously filled, or engaged, a pulse counter 49, that is pulsed
concurrently with interrogation of the memory, by the clock 50, responds
to the 29th. pulse to generate an output signal to a message generator
55a, informing the user that an appointment is not available on that day,
and to select a different day and/or a different mode of operation, and/or
to call or visit to make an appointment in a person-to-person manner with
a receptionist, secretary, or other person at that office. In the event
that a free time slot has been previously located, before the 29th pulse
from clock 50 is generated, then the output signal produced by the
interrogated day memory 45 is directed to a flip flop circuit 53, to
trigger the flip flop 53 and disable the gate circuit 59 from closing when
it receives the output pulse from counter 49. The delay circuit 51 is
selectively pulsed to reset the entire circuit, by either the output
signal from the memory 45, or by the pulse outputted by gate 59 in the
event that a free time slot is not located. Thus in the event that a free
time slot is located in the selected day, the user is so informed by
message generator 54a, as discussed above. However, in the event that a
free time slot is not located during the selected day, a different message
from generator 55a so informs the user, and issue a appropriate
instructions.
When the day mode of operation has been selected, the day generator 47
repetitively generates the same digital signals, representing the day
selected, in response to each pulse received from the clock 50. The
time-of-day generator 48, on the other hand, responds to each received
clock pulse to generate a different digital signal representing a
different time of day, corresponding to that address of the memory 45
being concurrently interrogated. For example, presupposing the scheduler
has been set up for a scheduling of appointments every 15 minutes for a
day from 9 AM to 5 PM (28 time slots), the time-of-day generator 48
successively generates 28 different digital signals corresponding to the
28 time slots, in response to the succession of 28 pulses received from
the clock 50. If a free time slot is located during that day, the
appointment is made as discussed above, and the circuit, including the
time-of-day generator 48, is reset, to commence generating a 9 AM signal
when the scheduler is next placed into operation by a subsequent user. If
a free time slot is not found, the circuit, including the time-of-day
generator 48 is reset, but after the counter 49 has counted 28 pulses from
the clock 50.
TIME OF DAY MODE OF OPERATION
FIG. 4 shows the preferred circuit interconnections where the user selects
a time of day mode of operation, and then selects as the time parameter a
specific time-of-day (e.g. 10:15 AM) for an appointment. In this mode of
operation, the memories for each succeeding day are successively
interrogated in chronological order, until locating a free time slot at
the selected time (e.g. 10:15 AM). In the same manner as previously
described, the user is notified of the availability of an appointment at
this time, and of the day, and such an appointment is enter into the
memory section for that day. The user is also instructed to confirm that
appointment, as discussed above. After the memory has been interrogated
for a time period of about a week, or other time period that has been
preestablished in the scheduler, and a free time slot has not been
located, the user is so notified and instructed to make other selections,
as previously discussed.
Referring to FIG. 4, the users selection of this mode and of a specific
time-of-day is initially entered into the keyboard, or over the telephone,
as previously described, and interpreted by the mode and logic circuit 60,
to configure the circuit as shown. The mode circuit 60 closes a selected
one of the gate 67 to 69 etc., for controlling the interrogation of the
memory 61 for the next day, by the shift register circuit 65. For the
above referred to set up of 28 time slots covering a business day, a total
of twenty eight of such gates 67, . . . is provided, each one assigned to
a different address of memory 61 during that day. The mode and logic
circuit 60 also closes the corresponding gates, such as 71,72, etc. for
the next day memory 62, as well as for those (not shown) for each of the
succeeding days of that week, or other period, that has been
pre-established in the scheduler.
The mode circuit 60 also closes the and gate 64, enabling the clock pulses
63 to pulse the shift register 65. Each different output of shift register
65 is connected through its gate 67 etc. to interrogate a different
address or time slot of the day memory 61. However, since only a selected
one or ones of these gates has been closed by the mode and logic circuit
60, only the selected one or ones of such addresses of the memory 61 are
interrogated for that day. In the event that a free time slot is found to
be available at the time-of-day or times-of-day selected by the user, an
output pulse is generated by the memory 61 to line 75. In the same manner
as described above in FIG. 3, this output pulse triggers the notification
to the user, by a message generator (e.g. 54a in FIG. 3), confirming the
appointment, and an appointment is entered into the memory 61 for that
time slot. The user is also requested to confirm the appointment as
discussed above.
However, if a free time slot is not found at the selected time during that
day, the 29th. output line from shift register 65 pulses gate 85 to close
this gate, and concurrently feeds back a pulse to open gate 64a. The
opening of gate 64a discontinues pulsing of the shift register 65; and the
closing of gate 85 commences the pulsing of shift register 66 to control
the interrogation of the memory 62, or memory section for the second day.
As earlier described, the same selected one, or ones, of the gates 71 to
74 etc. for the second shift register 66 have been closed whereby the
memory 62 for the second day is interrogated for only the same time slot,
or slots, that have been previously selected by the user. Thus the memory
for the second day 62 is interrogated for the time slot selected by the
user to determine whether that time-of-day is available for appointment on
the second day. If it is the appointment is entered into the memory, and
the user is notified and requested to confirm the appointment. However, if
it is not available on the second day, the memory for the third day (not
shown) is interrogated in the same automatic manner after the
interrogation of the second memory has been completed without positive
result. In the same manner, the memories for each succeeding day (not
shown) are successively interrogated for a period up to one week or more,
or for other period that has been preset into the scheduler. When the
first available appointment time is found that coincides with the
selection made by the user, the appointment is entered, confirmed, and the
scheduler is reset, as above described. If no free time slot, or slots, as
selected by the user, are found after interrogating a preset number of
days in the future, the user is informed by a different message generator,
such as generator 55a in FIG. 3, and instructed to selected a different
time-of-day and/or different mode and/or make arrangements on a person-to
person basis for an appointment.
It will be appreciated that the time-of-day generator (such as 48 in FIG.
3), will generate digital signals corresponding to the time slot of the
memory being interrogated, since it is being concurrently pulsed by the
same clock generator 50 (as in FIG. 3). However, the day generator
(corresponding to 47 in FIG. 3), will successively generate the same
digital signals, representing the day being interrogated, for each
received one of 28 clock pulses. However, on the 29th clock pulse, the day
generator (e.g. 47 in FIG. 3) is advanced to generate signals for the next
day, and such next day signals are in like manner repeated for each clock
pulse while the memory for the next day is being interrogated.
FIG. 4 also illustrates the circuit arrangement where the user selects a
plurality of different times-of-day that would be convenient or acceptable
for an appointment. The only difference over that of FIG. 4, is that
plural ones of the gates for each shift register are closed, in response
to the plural selections made by the user. Each of the day memories, or
memory sections, are then interrogated for each of the plural time slots
selected to seek an earliest free time slot that is available for
appointment.
A still further variation using the same circuit configuration shown in
FIG. 4 , permits a user to select different times-of-day for appointment
on different days. For example, a user may find it convenient to have an
appointment at 9:00 AM on Monday but if that is not available, to have the
appointment at 2:15 PM on Tuesday. In this variation, the mode and logic
circuit 60 closes the gate for the time slot a | | |
