Michael D Trinkala

US Patent:

20090112782, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Oct 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/925702

Inventors:

Karen M. Cross - Mountain View CA, US
Robert P. Starling - Mountain View CA, US
Michael D. Trinkala - Sunnyvale CA, US
Joseph Ruff - Mountain View CA, US
Brandon W. Porter - Auburn WA, US
Gary Clayton - Daly City CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06N 7/02

US Classification:

706 45

Abstract:

Systems and methods for facilitating a decision-making process are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, in response to receiving a request to facilitate a decision making process, the decision-making agent participates in a communications thread where users are attempting to reach a decision regarding a business to frequent and/or an activity to partake. Since group activities are oftentimes scheduled via common communication threads, the decision-making agent can intervene in such communication threads, when requested, and assist the participating users in making a decision or making informed suggestions toward reaching an agreement.