Method and apparatus for user-selected event reminders

Abstract

An electronic calendar includes such features as recurring reminders, dividing unpredictable work loads into equal pieces, template free parsing, a reminders scheduling algorithm to reduce spikes, dynamic delivery and recovery algorithms, methods for splitting the work load between controllers and workers and for monitoring progress, all within the context of a calendar architecture for a large enterprise.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, from a user of an electronic calendar service, an event identifier for a calendar event promoted by a third party;   determining, using at least one processor, a reminder template associated with the event identifier by the third party;   adding a reminder to an electronic calendar of the user in accordance with the reminder template;   generating, upon a determination that the reminder is due, a reminder notification that contains content specified by the third party; and   sending the reminder notification to the user.   
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the content specified by the third party comprises one or more links that relate to the calendar event, the method further comprising:
 receiving, from the third party, the one or more links; and   adding the one or more links to the reminder notification.   
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the one or more links comprise a link to a website controlled by the third party. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising:
 generating the event identifier for the calendar event promoted by the third party;   generating the reminder template as specified by the third party; and   associating the event identifier with the reminder template.   
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising:
 receiving user data from the user of the electronic calendar service; and   adding at least a portion of the user data to the reminder notification.   
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising:
 providing a reminder user interface to the user of the electronic calendar service, wherein the reminder user interface displays one or more details that relate to the reminder;   receiving input from the user of the electronic calendar service, wherein the input specifies the one or more details that relate to the reminder; and   modifying the reminder in accordance with the input received from the user of the electronic calendar service.   
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the event identifier is a template key. 
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the template key comprises an event type and a unique identifier. 
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the reminder notification is sent to the user via e-mail. 
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the reminder notification is sent to a mobile device associated with the user of the electronic calendar service. 
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the mobile device associated with the user of the electronic calendar service comprises a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the event identifier is received in response to the user clicking on a link on a website. 
     
     
         36 . A system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 receive, from a user of an electronic calendar service, an event identifier for a calendar event promoted by a third party; 
 determine a reminder template associated with the event identifier by the third party; 
 add a reminder to an electronic calendar of the user in accordance with the reminder template; 
 generate, upon a determination that the reminder is due, a reminder notification that contains content specified by the third party; and 
 send the reminder notification to the user. 
   
     
     
         37 . The system as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 receive, from the third party, one or more links that relate to the calendar event; and   add the one or more links to the reminder notification.   
     
     
         38 . The system as recited in  claim 37 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 receive user data from the user of the electronic calendar service; and   add at least a portion of the user data to the reminder notification.   
     
     
         39 . The system as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to modify the reminder in accordance with input received from the user of the electronic calendar service. 
     
     
         40 . The system as recited in  claim 39 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 provide a reminder user interface to the user of the electronic calendar service, wherein the reminder user interface displays one or more details that relate to the reminder; and   receive input from the user of the electronic calendar service, wherein the input specifies the one or more details relating to the reminder.   
     
     
         41 . The system as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
 generate the event identifier for the calendar event promoted by the third party;   generate the reminder template as specified by the third party; and   associate the event identifier with the reminder template.   
     
     
         42 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer system to:
 receive, from a user of an electronic calendar service, an event identifier for a calendar event promoted by a third party;   determine a reminder template associated with the event identifier by the third party;   add a reminder to an electronic calendar of the user in accordance with the reminder template;   generate, upon a determination that the reminder is due, a reminder notification that contains content specified by the third party; and   send the reminder notification to the user.   
     
     
         43 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 42 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computer system to:
 receive, from the third party, one or more links that relate to the calendar event; and   add the one or more links to the reminder notification.   
     
     
         44 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computer system to:
 receive user data from the user of the electronic calendar service; and   add at least a portion of the user data to the reminder notification.