Apple Patents

 P24742US1 Patent Pending: As part of the messaging conversation, users can enable a virtual helper – either via a pre-set preference or by invoking a text or audible command such as ‘Siri can you help set this up?” or such as “Siri book a meeting” etc. Users will also be able to define preferences in terms of which calendaring apps and thus their data is made available to the virtual helper for access. Users may also be able to invoke the virtual helper automatically when certain keywords are seen within a thread – for e.g – event, meeting, schedule etc. For multi-party instant messaging sessions where not all users have the same set of preferences, invoking the virtual helper will be notified as an inline message to users who don’t have the option enabled. Thus a user without those preferences turned on will be able to view ‘User X is using virtual helper to setup an event and would like to receive your availability – Yes/No’ which

if turned on will enable the user into the virtual helper access scope. If no, then the event polling will require user to choose a time from the options available.

Once the event scheduling need has been triggered, the virtual helper will immediately bring up a snapshot poll of event times available. See keynote 1 for details and for a set of embodiments. The setup here describes a simplistic view of a group of users deciding to meet up for lunch which would be further cues into the virtual helper deciding on available times to meet – say between 10 AM to 2 PM. In other cases, the user who initiated the command could tack on additional information for the virtual helper to decide on the time slot or other preferences.

“Siri – can you help setup a meeting for lunch in late August?”
“Siri – can you help setup a 30 min meeting at the nearest Starbucks?” “Siri – can you help setup a meeting first thing this coming weekend?” “Siri – can you help setup a meeting when at least two of us can make it?”

A key to this invention is also the presentation of a polling interface which makes it easier for users in a instant messaging session to see each others availability in a constrained interface. The realtime polling of users selecting a preferred time is also a key embodiment. Response to the poll is expected within a certain time period beyond which the poll is closed and the virtual helper would need to re-invoke the availability poll if it is still required.

Based on all available inputs or on a critical mass of users – which can be decided based off a simple formula and shown using color coding on the event poll – the virtual helper will create an event entry into the participant’s calendaring applications. For users who participated without access to the virtual helper, will receive an embedded inline iCal attachment that they can add to their calendars.

There will be instances where (1) some participants may not enter any available time or (2) some participants may respond to the thread late – in such circumstances, the virtual helper would have automatically closed the poll, but there would be a inline notification stating that such a poll was initiated and the outcome of the poll – in terms of an event being generated or not.

There will be instances where some participants may not be able to make a particular event or may have a request out to an organizer to move a scheduled event. In these cases, the virtual helper will be able to select a scheduled event via a polling interface if there is more than one event scheduled and then move it to a suitable time. The event trigger in this case will be based off different keywords or audible prompts that alerts the virtual helper that an event is already scheduled and needs to be modified.

Additional embodiments to this invention include setup of recurring events, setup of an event between only select participants in a thread, setup of an event on a user who is connected from a different platform (for e.g – iOS / Android) etc.

As part of the messaging conversation, users can enable a virtual helper either via a pre-set preference or by invoking a text or audible command such as “Siri can you check when everyone will reach the restaurant?” or such as “Siri can you check when we should get seated at the table?” etc. Users will also be able to define preferences in terms of whether the virtual helper as part of instant messaging can get access to their current location.

Once the ETA need has been triggered, the virtual helper will immediately bring up a snapshot of participant location and distance from the meeting point. Please note that this embodiment is different from the event planning section above and can be invoked separately from event creation. However, the setup in many ways uses similar underlying construct – checking for participant availability (location awareness) and then computing time to destination for each participant and then showing overall ETA using some formula.

P26445US1 Patent Pending: A virtual assistant can be utilized to connect a user with a 3rd party service as part of a communication session. For example, a user can enter a imessage directed to Siri requesting to be connected to a 3rd party service such as an airline. Siri can gather a set of communication instructions for the airline that identifies APIs to connect to the airline and also includes services provided and data required. Siri can prompt the user to select a service (e.g., book a flight), gather any required data and initiate communication using the corresponding APIs. Siri can provide the date to a representative and connect the user to a representative in the imessage conversation.