Methodology for an Annexation of a Reply-After Date to a Calendar

Methodology for an Annexation of a Reply-After Date to a Calendar

      A method is proposed for adding the reply-after date of a
correspondence to an electronic calendar

      Consider an electronic mail system that also has an electronic
calendar system. Currently such mail systems have the ability to
attach a range of dates to a correspondence, the meaning of which is
the range between which a reply is required or requested.

      The proposed method of this article allows the recipient of a
correspondence with an attached range of reply dates to add this
range of dates to his or her electronic calendar. This method takes
these steps:
1) The sender of the correspondence indicates the range of dates when
a reply is expected.  Various methods for this exist.
2) The range of dates is sent with the correspondence to each
designated recipient.
3) The range of dates is displayed to the recipient at the time the
correspondence is "opened."
4) The recipient can choose to have the range of dates added to his
or her calendar.  Once added, the range appears as a reminder or a
calendar event, depending on the choice of the recipient.

      This method is new in these ways:
1) A range of dates when a response is due is selected by the sender
of a correspondence.
2) The range of dates is sent with the correspondence to each
recipient.
3) The range of dates is shown to the recipient of the correspondence
when opened.
4) The recipient of the correspondence can add t...