Personal scheduling apparatus and method

Abstract

A scheduling apparatus, system, and article including a machine-accessible medium, along with a method of adjusting a schedule, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a schedule receiving module capable of receiving schedule update information associated with an event. The information may include an event name and event time. The apparatus may also include a memory capable of storing the update information, and being communicatively coupled with the receiving module. The memory may be used to store a plurality of schedule items, at least one of which may be associated with an item time. The method may include selecting an event associated with a purchase transaction and schedule update information, receiving the schedule update information, determining whether a schedule conflict exists, and adjusting the schedule to include the update information if no conflict is found.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A scheduling apparatus, comprising: 
 a schedule receiving module capable of automatically receiving schedule update information associated with a purchase transaction and an event including an event name and an event time; and    a memory capable of being communicatively coupled with the schedule receiving module, including a plurality of schedule items, wherein each one of the plurality of schedule items is associated with an item time, and wherein the memory is capable of storing the schedule update information.    
     
     
         2 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the schedule update information includes other information associated with the event name.  
     
     
         3 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the other information associated with the event name includes an event map.  
     
     
         4 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the other information associated with the event name includes at least on e available event service.  
     
     
         5 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a conflict determination module capable of being communicatively coupled to the memory and capable of determining an existence of a schedule conflict between the event time and the item time.    
     
     
         6 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a schedule transmission module coupled to the memory and capable of sending a message including the existence of a schedule conflict to a point of s ale device.    
     
     
         7 . The scheduling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the schedule receiving module is capable of receiving alternative schedule update information associated with the event including an alternative event time.  
     
     
         8 . A scheduling system, comprising: 
 a point of sale device having schedule update information associated with an event including an event name and an event time; and    a scheduling apparatus capable of being communicatively coupled with the point of sale device, including a schedule receiving module capable of receiving the schedule update information and a memory capable of being communicatively coupled with the schedule receiving module and storing the schedule update information, the memory including a plurality of schedule items, wherein each one of the plurality of schedule items is associated with an item time.    
     
     
         9 . The scheduling system of  claim 8 , wherein the event time includes an event start time and an event end time.  
     
     
         10 . The scheduling system of  claim 9 , wherein the event time includes an event date.  
     
     
         11 . The scheduling system of  claim 9 , wherein the scheduling apparatus includes a conflict determination module coupled to the memory and capable of determining an existence of a schedule conflict between the event time and the item time.  
     
     
         12 . A method of adjusting a schedule, comprising: 
 selecting an event associated with a purchase transaction and schedule update information including an event name and an event time;    receiving the schedule update information;    determining whether a schedule conflict exists between the event time and an item time associated with a schedule item; and    adjusting the schedule to include the schedule update information if the schedule conflict is determined not to exist.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 initiating the purchase transaction.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 receiving other information associated with the event name.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the other information associated with the event name includes an event map.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 refraining from adjusting the schedule to include the schedule update information if the schedule conflict is determined to exist.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 receiving alternative schedule update information associated with the event including an alternative event time.    
     
     
         18 . An article comprising a machine-accessible medium having associated data, wherein the data, when accessed, results in a machine performing: 
 selecting an event associated with a purchase transaction and schedule update information including an event name and an event time;    receiving the schedule update information;    determining whether a schedule conflict exists between the event time and an item time associated with a schedule item; and    adjusting the schedule to include the schedule update information if the schedule conflict is determined not to exist.    
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the machine-accessible medium further includes data, which when accessed by the machine, results in the machine performing: 
 refraining from adjusting the schedule to include the schedule update information if the schedule conflict is determined to exist.    
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein the machine-accessible medium further includes data, which when accessed by the machine, results in the machine performing: 
 notifying a user of the schedule conflict.    
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the machine-accessible medium further includes data, which when accessed by the machine, results in the machine performing: 
 canceling the purchase transaction.