Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-29
2001-08-21
Amsbury, Wayne (Department: 2672)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C709S206000, C709S246000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279000
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs a process, such as schedule management, in accordance with specific information, such as information concerning time included in input information, and a method therefor.
2. Related Background Art
It has become popular to use electronic mail to transmit various notifies, such as one giving the date of a conference. Since the data transmitted using electronic mail is coded information, its edition or storage is easy. Furthermore, as the address of a transmission source is easily obtained, a reply can also be transmitted easily.
However, according to the above conventual technique, a user is responsible for the editing and storage of data and the preparation and transmission of a reply.
For example, to manage as schedule data the date that is received for a conference, a user must correct stored schedule data and update it. And then, to confirm his or her attendance or to request a scheduling of the date when there is a schedule conflict, a user has to prepare a mail document or make a call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one objective of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that can reduce the operating load placed on a user for the execution of an adequate process, such as schedule management, in consonance with input information, and a control method therefor.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that can reduce the operating load placed on a user when effective information is to be extracted from information that is input, and a control method therefor.
According to one aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to an information processing apparatus comprising:
database means for storing schedule data;
input means for inputting information;
analysis means for analyzing the information input using the input means;
extraction means for extracting, from results obtained by the analysis means, items associated with a transient time concept; and
processing means for accessing the database means in accordance with the items extracted by the extraction means.
According to another aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to an information processing method comprising:
an input step of inputting information;
an analysis step of analyzing the information input at the input step;
an extraction step of extracting, from results obtained at the analysis step, items associated with a transient time concept; and
a processing step of, in accordance with the items extracted at the extraction step, accessing a database in which schedule data are stored.
According to an additional aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to a computer-readable storage medium on which is stored an information processing program for controlling a computer to process information, the program comprising codes for causing the computer to perform:
an input step of inputting information;
an analysis step of analyzing the information input at the input step;
an extraction step of extracting, from results obtained at the analysis step, items associated with a transient time concept; and
a processing step of, in accordance with the items extracted at the extraction step, accessing a database in which schedule data are stored.
Other objectives and advantages in addition to those discussed above will become apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention that follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such an example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims that follow the description for determining the scope of the invention.
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Jeyachandran Suresh
Rohra Suda Aruna
Takayama Masayuki
Wakai Masanori
Amsbury Wayne
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Havan Thu-Thao
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