Service based event planning

Abstract

Services are queried for resources to be used at an event. For example, service based event planning may be used in conjunction with directory services, social networking services, custom databases, web services, email servers and address book services. Service based event planning may apply constraints to the resources obtained over services. The service based event planning may also be used in conjunction with email or other messaging services to share representations of events with attendees or other interested parties. Both recipients and senders of the event may be able to dynamically modify event details in event representations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer system comprising:
 a processor for executing computer readable instructions, and   memory storing computer readable instructions configured to perform a method comprising:
 receiving an indication to plan an event; 
 receiving parameters including an event type and an event time; 
 in response to the event type, querying a service for at least one physical location available during the event time; 
 receiving, from the service, information about resources available at the at least one physical location; 
 displaying a graphical user interface depicting a representation of the at least one physical location and a toolbox depicting instances of the available resources; 
 receiving a selection of an instance of an available resource; and 
 updating the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available resource within the representation of the at least one physical location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores computer readable instructions configured to access information related to attendees to the event. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 2 , wherein the information related to the attendees is accessed from a social networking service. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 2 , wherein the memory further stores computer readable instructions configured to:
 depict instances of available attendees in the toolbox;   receive a selection of an instance of an available attendee; and   update the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available attendee within the representation of the at least one physical location.   
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 2 , wherein the memory further stores computer readable instructions configured to distribute the representation of the at least one physical location including the instance of the selected available resource to one or more of the attendees. 
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a business event. 
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a social event. 
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the instances of the available resources depict equipment to be used during the event. 
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the instances of the available resources depict furniture to be used during the event. 
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the instances of the available resources depict food to be served during the event. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving an indication to plan an event;   receiving parameters including an event type and an event time;   in response to the event type, querying a service for at least one physical location available during the event time;   receiving, from the service, information about resources available at the at least one physical location;   displaying a graphical user interface depicting a representation of the at least one physical location and a toolbox depicting instances of the available resources;   receiving a selection of an instance of an available resource; and   updating the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available resource within the representation of the at least one physical location.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 accessing information related to attendees to the event.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the information related to the attendees is accessed from a social networking service. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 depicting instances of available attendees in the toolbox;   receiving a selection of an instance of an available attendee; and   updating the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available attendee within the representation of the at least one physical location.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 distributing the representation of the at least one physical location including the instance of the selected available resource to one or more of the attendees.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the event is a business event. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the event is a social event. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the instances of the available resources depict one or more of:
 equipment to be used during the event,
 furniture to be used during the event, and 
 food to be served during the event. 
   
     
     
         19 . A computer readable storage device storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:
 receiving an indication to plan an event;   receiving parameters including an event type and an event time;   in response to the event type, querying a service for at least one physical location available during the event time;   receiving, from the service, information about resources available at the at least one physical location;   displaying a graphical user interface depicting a representation of the at least one physical location and a toolbox depicting instances of the available resources;   receiving a selection of an instance of an available resource; and   updating the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available resource within the representation of the at least one physical location.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 19 , further storing computer readable instructions configured to:
 access information related to attendees to the event;   depict instances of available attendees in the toolbox;   receive a selection of an instance of an available attendee; and   update the graphical user interface to display the instance of the selected available attendee within the representation of the at least one physical location.