PROVIDING TEMPORAL INFORMATION TO USERS
Systems and methods for generating and providing an user interface for providing temporal information to users. The user interface may comprise a center portion and a three-dimensional shape comprising an upper portion that lies about the center portion and a lower portion that lies below the center portion. The center portion may correspond to a first time period. The upper portion may correspond to a second time period in the future relative to the first time period. The lower portion may correspond to a third time period in the past relative to the first time period.
This application generally relates to providing temporal information to users via a user interface.
Modern life requires people to process and large quantities of information in many different formats. E-mails, text messages, Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds, phone calls, voicemails, day planners, and various other mediums provide users with more information than ever. Existing interfaces for presenting this information are typically linear and also typically segregated by information type. For example, e-mail's are typically viewed in an e-mail application; text messages are typically viewed using a separate text feature; phone calls and voicemails are received utilizing yet another function. In most cases, these applications and functions also present information in a linear fashion. For example, e-mails, text messages and other similar messages organized according to a single dimension (e.g., time of receipt, sender, etc.). Day planners and other calendaring applications typically utilize a traditional calendar.
These segregated, linear presentations mechanisms, however, make it very difficult for users to effectively process information. For example, users may have to sift through tens or even hundreds of irrelevant e-mails to find e-mails to which the user should respond. Also, for example, users may be forced to scroll through junk text messages from advertisers in order to finding the text messages that the user considers interesting. Linear presentations are only capable of providing users with a single time indication (e.g., the time that a message or other piece of information arrived). Users are required to read e-mails or other messages to independently determine if the e-mail refers to a future date. Accordingly, there is a need for new information presentation methods.
STATEMENT UNDER 37 C.F.R. §1.84(a)(2): The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
Various example embodiments are described herein by way of example in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
Various embodiments are directed to methods and systems for generating and serving an interface comprising temporal information. Each item of temporal information (e.g., information item) is associated with at least one time, which may be a time in the future, the present, or the past. Temporal information for presentation in the interface may be received from various different sources, including, for example, e-mail feeds, text feeds, instant message feeds, Rich Site Summary (RSS) feeds, phone or voicemail feeds, social media feeds, commercial offer feeds, stores of medical, academic, employment or other records, etc. In some embodiments, additional information may be received from users of the interface. For example, users may provide pictures, memos, photographs, etc. Time may be associated with information items in any suitable way. In some embodiments, time is associated with information items based on a time that the information items were received, a time referred to by the information items, a time of replies or other associated information items, etc. For example, an information item from an e-mail feed (e.g., an e-mail) may be associated with a time when the e-mail was sent or received. An information item from a social media feed (e.g., a post) may be associated with a time that post was made, the time of a most recent reply to the post, etc. If the e-mail, post or other information item describes a future or past event (e.g., a doctor's appointment next week), then that information item may be associated with the time of the event or appointment. Some information items may be associated with more than one time. One example of such a multi-temporal information item is the e-mail described above that references a future appointment. This example e-mail may be associated with both the time of its receipt and with the time of the appointment.
The interface is configured to present the information items graphically in a manner that provides the user with an indication of a time or times associated with each information item, as well as other properties of the information items. Presenting the information items and associated times and properties graphically enables the user to visualize relationships between the various information items at a glance. In this way, the user may identify and view information items that are most relevant to her or him at any given time. The user may also avoid processing information items that are not relevant to the user, or not relevant at a given time. Multi-temporal information items (e.g., those associated with more than one time) may be represented on the interface so as to indicate more than one time.
In some embodiments, the interface is arranged with reference to a center axis. The center axis may be visible to users, or may simply serve as a common reference. A two-dimensional shape, such as a circle, is positioned in plane orthogonal to the center axis. The two-dimensional shape (e.g., a face thereof) corresponds to a time period which may be, for example, one day, twelve (12) hours, etc. Different angular positions on the two-dimensional shape correspond to different times, for example similar to a clock. Information items are represented on the two-dimensional shape as icons positioned on the face of the two-dimensional shape. The angular position of each icon about the center axis indicates a time associated with the underlying information item. The distance of each icon from the center axis indicates an additional property associated with the underlying information item such as, for example, the relevance of the information item, a category of the information item, etc.
In various embodiments, the time period corresponding to the two-dimensional shape is defined relative to the reference time. For example, the time period may comprise a certain number of hours or days before or after the reference time. The reference time may be indicated on the two-dimensional shape in any suitable manner. For example, the reference time may be indicated by a hand, pointer, or other reference time marker that rotates on the two-dimensional shape about the center axis, similar to the hand of a clock. In some embodiments, the two-dimensional shape itself may rotate with the reference time marker being stationary and/or represented by a stationary position. The interface may comprise functionality allowing the user to modify the reference time. For example, the user may be provided with functionality for “grabbing” and “dragging” the interface to cause the reference time to traverse forwards and backwards in time. When the time period is defined relative to the reference time, modifying the reference time also entails modifying the time period. Icons representing information items at times that fall outside of the time period after modification may be removed from the interface. Similarly, new icons corresponding to information items at times that fall within the newly modified time period may be plotted. This may allow the user to modify the interface to show information items relative to different reference times.
In some embodiments, the interface is configured to display information items both in the past and in the future relative to the reference time. For example, as the times associated with different information items track from future, to present, to past, icons corresponding to the information items transition from portions of the interface corresponding to the future to portions of the interface corresponding to the past. The future and past time periods may be represented on the interface in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the time period represented on the face of the two dimensional shape includes both past and future times. Also, in some embodiments, the interface comprises multiple two-dimensional shapes, with a first two-dimensional shape corresponding to a future time period, and a second two-dimensional shape corresponding to a past time period. Additionally, in some embodiments, the two-dimensional shape comprises multiple faces, with a first face corresponding to the future time period and a second fact corresponding to the past time period. The user may view the different faces by changing the user's point of view. For example, the user may virtually “rotate” the interface to change the user's view relative to the faces.
In some embodiments, an interface comprises a center portion on the plane orthogonal to the center axis with icons plotting on a surface of a three-dimensional shape positioned about the center axis. The center portion corresponds to a first time period, for example, in the manner described above. The three-dimensional shape may be positioned relative to the center portion such that the three-dimensional shape has a lower portion that lies below the plane and an upper portion that lies above the plane. The upper portion represents a second time period that is in the future relative to the time period and the lower portion represents a third time period that is in the past relative to the time period. Icons representing information items are plotted on the interface in a manner similar to that described above. For example, icons representing information items at times in the first time period are plotted on the center portion. Icons representing information items at times in the second time period are plotted on the upper portion of the three-dimensional shape. Icons representing information items at times in the third time period are plotted on the lower portion of the three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape may be any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional shape is a torus with the center portion positioned in the center or “donut hole” of the torus.
Time may be represented on the respective portions of the three-dimensional shape in any suitable manner. For example, time may be indicated by the distance along the surface of the three-dimensional shape from the center axis, or a center-most edge of the three-dimensional shape and/or by angular position. In some embodiments, time is indicated by both the distance along the surface from the center axis or center-most edge and by angular position. For example, the direction of time may spiral outward from the center axis or the center-most edge of the three-dimensional shape.
In various embodiments, the interface may be configured to track updates to information items over time. For example, some information items, such as e-mails, social media posts, etc. may be updated over time as additional users reply, “like” or otherwise indicate interest, share or re-post, etc. The interface may comprise a two-dimensional shape that is positioned orthogonal to a center axis. The two-dimensional shape corresponds to a time period. Angular positions about the center axis correspond to different positions within the time period. When an information item is received (e.g., via one of the described feeds), it may be plotted on the two-dimensional shape as an icon. The position of the icon corresponds to a time associated with the information item (e.g., a time when the information item was sent, posted, etc.). When an information item is updated, the icon corresponding to the interface may be modified. For example, the color of the icon may change; a size of the icon may change; a shape of the icon may change, etc. In this way, the user may view the interface to receive an indication of information items occurring during the time period and also gauge the response of other users to the information items (e.g., via the number and/or type of updates).
Reference will now be made in detail to several example embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever practicable, similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict example embodiments of the disclosed systems (or methods) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative example embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein.
Each user device 102 may be associated with a user 103. For example, a user 103 may own, lease, or otherwise have rights to use his or her associated user device 102. User devices 102 may comprise any type of network-enabled computer device that may be utilized by a user to receive and/or view interfaces as described herein. Examples of user devices include smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, etc. In some embodiments, user devices 102 may be optimized to match the shape of the interfaces described herein. For example, a user device 102′ may comprise a round or rounded screen. A user device 102″ may comprise glasses or any other suitable mechanism for projecting the interface to virtually appear completely or partially “around” the users. One example of such a user device is the GLASS product developed by GOOGLE, INC. Another example of such a user device 102″ is a holographic projector or similar three-dimensional output or display device. As used herein, “user device 102” is used to indicate all of the user devices 102, 102′ and 102″ unless otherwise indicated. In some embodiments, user devices 102 receive the various information items as data feeds and/or in other forms to generate user interfaces for providing temporal information.
In various embodiments, the environment 100 comprises one or more service provider systems 104. A service provider system 104 receives the various information items and generates user interfaces for providing the temporal information. The user interfaces are then served from the service provider system 104 to the respective user devices 102. Although the service provider system 104 is shown in
The example data feeds 126 comprise e-mail data feeds from one or more e-mail systems 108 (E-mail 1, E-mail 2), social network data feeds from one or more social network systems 110 (Social Feed 1, Social Feed 2), commercial offer feeds from one or more commercial offer systems 114, telephone-related feeds from one or more telephone network systems 111 (Tele. Feed), etc. The e-mail feeds, for example, may indicate e-mails to and/or from the user 103. Different e-mail feeds may be received from different e-mail addresses and/or accounts associated with the user 103. Information items received through e-mail feeds may include e-mail messages to and/or from the user. Some e-mail services, such as the GMAIL service available from GOOGLE, INC. have related calendar features. E-mail feeds from such services may also include information items relating to future and/or past events stored with the calendar feature. Social network data feeds may be received from one or more social network systems 110. Social network feeds, for example, may be associated with different social network accounts held by the user 103. Examples of such accounts include accounts with the FACEBOOK, TWITTER, etc. Information items received though social network feeds may include, for example, posts made by the user 103, posts made by friends or other users followed by the user 103, replies, shares, or re-postings of the same, etc.
Commercial offer feeds (CO Feed 1, CO Feed 2) may be received from one or more commercial offer systems 114 and may comprise various commercial offers available to the user 103 (and/or the general public) either presently or in the future. Telephone feeds (Tele. Feed) may be received from one or more telephone network systems 111 and may indicate information items relating to the user's telephone account. Such information items may include, for example, voicemails, missed calls, etc. It will be appreciated that the list of example data feeds 126 represent just one example feed configuration. In some embodiments, different combinations of feeds including more or less than the feeds shown in
In some embodiments, the service provider system 104 receives additional information 121, 125, from various non-feed sources. Other information 125 represents information items received from any other suitable source or sources (e.g., other systems 112). Such information may include, for example, medical records, academic records, public records, etc. Additional information items 121 may be received from the user 103 such as, for example, photographs, memos or notes, etc.
In the example embodiment of
The distance of the icons 612, 614, 616 from the center axis 601 indicates properties of the respective underlying information items. In the example of
In various embodiments, the time period represented by the two-dimensional shape 602 is defined relative to a reference time, which may be indicated by a reference time marker 620. The reference time marker 620 is indicated as an arrow in
In various embodiments, the reference time marker 620 may be set (e.g., by the user 103 and/or by the user device 102 or service provider system 104) to a current time. The user 103, however, may be provided with functionality for modifying the reference time. Changes in the reference time may be indicated on the interface 600 by rotating the reference time marker 620 relative to the shape 602. For example, the marker may be rotated around the shape 602 and/or the shape 602 may be rotated about the center axis 601 while the reference time marker 620 remains stationary. When the shape 602 is rotated, the angular positions of the icons 612, 614, 616 are also updated. Changes to the reference time may be made in any suitable manner. For example, the service provider system 104 and/or user device 102 may receive, from the user 103, a textual indication of a new reference time. Also, in some embodiments, the user 103 is provided with functionality for changing the reference time by selecting either the reference time marker 620 or the shape 602 itself and rotating, for example, with a circular motion. For example,
Because the time period is defined relative to the reference time, changes to the reference time also bring about changes to the time period represented on the shape 602. This may cause some of the information items corresponding to icons plotted on the shape 602 before the reference time change (e.g., 612, 614, 616) to fall outside of the new time period. These icons may be removed from the shape 602. Changing the time period may also cause new information items to fall within the new time period. These new information items are plotted as icons on the shape 602 in accordance with the new time period. In this way, changing the reference time period may allow the user 103 to view information items that have been and/or will be relevant. For example, if the user 103 changes the reference time to a past time to view information items received in the past. Similarly, the user 103 may advance the reference time to a future time to see appointments or other information items that may be relevant to the user 103 in the future.
In some embodiments, the interface 600 is configurable to portray information items both in the past and in the future. For example, the interface 600 may comprise multiple faces, with one face corresponding to time in the past relative to the reference time and another face corresponding to time in the future relative to the reference time. The shape 602 is illustrated in
The user 103 may transition the interface 600 between different points of view (e.g., 625, 627) in any suitable manner. For example, the user 103 may provide interface selections 120 indicating a desired point of view change. In response, the user device 102 and/or the service provider system 104 modifies the view of the interface 600 provided to the user 103 as requested. In some embodiments, the interface 600 may be provided by a three dimensional display device (e.g., a holographic projector). In such cases, the user 103 may change his or her point of view by changing his or her physical position relative to the interface 600.
In some embodiments, both past and future times are shown from the same user point of view. For example, the interface may show two versions of the shape 602, with one version oriented to display the first face 622 (e.g., corresponding to a future time period) and another version oriented to display the second face 624 (e.g., corresponding to a past time period). Also, in some embodiments, a single version of the shape 602 is shown in a configuration such that the time period corresponding to the shape 602 extends an amount of time before the reference time and an amount of time after the reference time. For example, referring to
In some embodiments, the interface 600 may be modified to display additional time periods. For example,
As described with respect to
In some embodiments, the distance of the various icons from the center axis 601 within their respective rings indicates a property of the underlying information items, as illustrated in
In various embodiments, additional time periods may be added to the interface 600 by adding additional ring sections around either the shape 602 and/or the rings 642, 644, 646, 648, 650.
In various embodiments, the time periods associated with rings 692 are of a different scale than those corresponding to the shape 602 and rings 642, 644, 646, 648, 650. Accordingly, when the reference time is changed, the ring portions 692 may rotate at a different speed relative to the reference time than do shape 602 or rings 642, 644, 646, 648, 650.
In various embodiments, the spiral ring portion 700 illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the interface 750 may be viewed from various different user points of view in addition to the point of view illustrated in
The user 103 may change the reference time for the interface 750 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the interface 600. For example, the user 103 may provide a textual indication of a new reference time. Also, in various embodiments, the user 103 may select and drag to rotate the interface 750 and therefore also modify the reference time. The manner in which the user rotates the interface 750 may depend on the user point of view from which the interface is viewed. For example, when viewing from a top-down or bottom-up point of view, the user 103 may advance or reverse the reference time as described above with respect to the interface 600. When viewing from other points of view, the user 103 may drag the interface 750 in directions corresponding to the rotation of the faces. For example,
As the reference time changes, the interface 750 may spiral with time represented by the future spiral ring portion 752 spiraling into the shape 602 and subsequently from the shape 602 through the spiral ring portion 752. For example, as the reference time moves forward in time, the icon 765 spirals along its ring about the center axis 601 and down (in the orientation of
In some embodiments, the interface 750, instead of being truncated with ring sections 760, 762, may continue to extent out, comprising portions having time periods that are farther in the past and the future relative to the reference time. For example,
Icons representing information events are plotted on the surface of the upper and lower portions 766, 768. The time indicated by an icon may be represented by the distance along the surface of the respective portion 766 between the icon and the inner-most edge of the portion (e.g., the interface between the spiral ring section 752 and the shape 602). In some embodiments, the time indicated by an icon may also be represented by the angular position of the icon about the center axis. For example, as the reference time advances, icons may follow a spiral pattern across the surface of the portions 766, 768, as indicated by spiral 770, 772. For example, the effect of incorporating the spiral ring portions 752, 754 into the respective shape portions 766, 768 may be similar to expanding the spiral ring portions 752, 754 out and around until they meet at the equator 764.
Referring now to
As described herein, the position of an icon on the upper portion 766 or lower portion 768 may corresponds to a time relative to the reference time. In some embodiments, an icon's distance from the center axis 601 along the surface of the respective portion 766, 768 may also indicate a property of the icon. For example, the surfaces of the portions 766, 768 may also comprise spiral bands, similar to the bands shown in
As is best indicated by
The example interface 900 shown in
In various embodiments, the user 103 may be prompted (e.g., by the user device 102 and/or service provider system 104) to provide input for determining the relevance or importance of various information items. Based on the input, the user device 102 and/or service provider system 104 may determine the relevance of received information items, which may be indicated on the various interfaces described herein as described.
The center portion 2052, or other suitable information field, may describe the represented information time at a field 2064. The center portion 2052 may also comprise a relevance or importance bar 2066. The user 103 may position a cursor 2068 on the importance bar 2066 to rank an importance of the information item. The importance or relevance of the information item may be utilized by the service provider system 104 and/or user device 102 to plot icons on the various interfaces described herein, for example, as described herein. In some embodiments, the service provider system 104 and/or user device 102 is programmed to extrapolate the importance indicated for a given information item. For example, when the user 103 rates the importance of one information item, the service provider system 104 and/or user device 102 may attribute the same importance to other information items having common properties (e.g., common senders, common times of receipt, common text patterns, etc.). In some embodiments, if the user 103 disagrees with an extrapolated importance, she may change the importance of an information icon by selecting the icon in a manner similar to that shown in
In some embodiments, the user 103 may be provided with functionality for modifying the reference time of an interface (e.g., any of the interfaces described herein) with respect to an information item. For example, the user 103 may select an information item. Upon selection of the information item, the service provider system 104 and/or user device 102 may modify the reference time so that the reference time is equal to the time of the selected information item.
The icon 2072 may be selected in any suitable manner. For example, the user 103 may, with a cursor, touch screen or other suitable pointing mechanism, select a reference area 2074 containing the icon 2072 and drag the icon 2072 towards a predetermined location on the interface 2050. In the example of
In some embodiments, when the interface 2050 is modified to adopt a reference time corresponding to a selected information item, other icons on the interface may be accordingly filtered. For example, when the icon 2072 is selected, as shown in
It will be appreciated than any of the interfaces 600, 750, 800, 850, 880, 2050, etc., described herein may be represented on different time scales. In various embodiments, the scale at which any interface is presented may be user selectable (e.g., as an interface selection 120 resulting in a modification of the interface, as indicated at 310 and 508).
As described herein with respect to
In some embodiments, information items in the future may relate to other information items in the past. Such information items may be referred to as multi-temporal. For example, an e-mail, text message, social network post, etc. may be represented on the various interfaces in the past, based on its date of receipt and may also refer to other information items in the future. For example, the e-mail, text message, social network post, etc., may refer to a future event that is represented on the various interfaces as its own information item and associated icon. Relationships between information items may be represented in the various interfaces as a “wormhole” or connection between past and future events.
It will be appreciated that any of the various interfaces 500, 750, 780, 800, 850, 880, 900, 950, 999, 1110, etc. may be implemented with different interface styles for past and future time periods. For example, some embodiments may utilize a three-dimensional shape portion, such as portion 766, to represent future information items, while past information items may be plotted as described with respect to the past 890 of the interface 880. Any other suitable combination is may be used.
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the various interfaces 600, 750, 780, 800, 850, 880, 900, 950, 999, 1100 described herein may be utilized by users 103 to solicit commercial offers. When a user 103 wants to utilize a commercial product or service at a known time, or range of times, in the future, the user may post an information item indicating the user's intention (e.g., offer request) to the appropriate interface. The service provider system 104 may post the first user's request to either the commercial offer system 114 or directly to one or more other users 103 that are commercial establishments. Commercial establishments would then have the opportunity to make an offer to the first user 103. In some embodiments, the user 103 may also include other users 103 in his or her offer request. For example, a user 103 may want to have dinner with one or more other users 103 in a given city at a given time. This information may be included in the offer request, which may solicit offers from restaurants in the appropriate city.
Within the shape 1110 (and the shape 1108) time is indicated by an angular position about a center axis 601 in a manner similar to that of the interface 600 described above. The shape 1110 also comprises a plurality of bands which correspond to properties of plotted information items. For example, in the example embodiments shown in
Various embodiments comprise a computer-implemented methods for providing users with an interface with information regarding past and future events, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer device, an indication of a first event, wherein the computer device comprises at least one processor and operatively associated memory; generating, by the computer device, a graphical user interface wherein the graphical user interface comprises: a two-dimensional shape positioned orthogonal to a center axis, wherein the two-dimensional shape corresponds to a time period, wherein the two-dimensional shape comprises a plurality of bands at differing distances from the center axis, wherein each band corresponds to a category of events; a first icon plotted in a first band selected from the plurality of bands, wherein the first icon corresponds to a first event described by a first category of events corresponding to the first band, and wherein an angular position of the first icon about the center axis indicates a first time when the first event occurred; providing the graphical user interface to a first user, by the computer device; receiving, by the computer device, an indication of an update to the first event; and modifying, by the computer device, the first icon to indicate the update to the first event.
According to various embodiments of the methods, the first event is a posting of a message to a social media outlet, and wherein the update to the first event is a reply to the message.
According to various embodiments, the methods further comprise: receiving, by the computer device, an indication of a second update to the first event; and modifying, by the computer device, the first icon to indicate the second update to the to the first event.
According to various embodiments of the methods, the second update is an additional reply to the message.
According to various embodiments of the methods, a first category of events corresponds to at least one message feed and wherein the first event is a posting of a message indicated by the at least one message feed.
According to various embodiments of the methods, the graphical user interface further comprises a second icon plotted in a second band selected from the plurality of bands, wherein the second icon corresponds to a second event described by a second category of events corresponding to the second band, and wherein an angular position of the second icon about the center axis indicates a second time when the second event occurred.
According to various embodiments of the methods, modifying the first icon to indicate the update to the first event comprises changing a size of the first icon.
According to various embodiments of the methods, modifying the first icon to indicate the update to the first event comprises changing a color of the first icon.
The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter.
The figures and the following description relate to example embodiments of the invention by way of illustration only. Alternative example embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed here may be employed without departing from the principles of what is claimed.
Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials do not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “various embodiments,” or to “an example embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example embodiments is included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example embodiment. Reference to example embodiments is intended to disclose examples, rather than limit the claimed invention.
Some portions of the above are presented in terms of methods and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A method is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of actions (instructions) leading to a desired result. The actions are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It is convenient, at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Furthermore, it is also convenient, at times, to refer to certain arrangements of actions requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities as modules or code devices, without loss of generality.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the preceding discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or “determining” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of a method. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the present invention can be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, can be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems.
The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, the computers and computer systems referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
The methods and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method actions. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the above description. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references above to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of the present invention.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred example embodiment and several alternate example embodiments, it will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Finally, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A computer-implemented system for providing users with an interface comprising temporal information, the system comprising:
- a computer system, the computer system comprising at least one processor and operatively associated memory, wherein the computer system is programmed to: generate a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface comprises: a center portion defining a planar face that is orthogonal to a center axis, wherein the center portion corresponds to a time period; a three-dimensional shape positioned along the center axis, wherein the three-dimensional shape is positioned relative to the center portion such that the three-dimensional shape has a lower portion that is positioned along the center axis on a first side of the planar face and an upper portion that is positioned along the center axis on a second side of the planer face opposite the first side of the planer face, wherein the upper portion represents time in the future relative to the time period, and the lower portion represents time in the past relative to the time period; a first icon plotted on the upper portion, wherein the first icon corresponds to a first information item associated with a first time, wherein the first time is indicated by a position of the first icon on the upper portion, and wherein the first time is in the future relative to the time period; and a second icon plotted on the lower portion, wherein the second icon corresponds to a second information item associated with a second time, wherein the second time is indicated by a position of the second icon on the lower portion, and wherein the second time is in the past relative to the time period; and provide the graphical user interface to a first user.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a torus.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a reference time marker positioned on the planar face, wherein an angular position of the reference time marker about the center axis indicates a reference time.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the three dimensional shape is a figure of revolution about the center axis.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the three dimensional shape comprises a plurality of icons plotted thereon, wherein the plurality of icons comprises the first and second icon, and wherein icons selected from the plurality of icons that are plotted on a first surface of the upper portion of the three dimensional shape and icons selected from the plurality of icons that are plotted on a first surface of the lower portion of the three dimensional shape correspond to points in time relative to the reference time.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
- receive a request from the first user to modify the graphical user interface to correspond to a new reference time; and
- in response: calculate a new time period, wherein the new time period comprises a predetermined amount of time before and a predetermined amount of time after the new reference time; rotate the center portion about the center axis; rotate the upper portion towards the center axis; and rotate the bottom portion away from the center axis until the center portion corresponds to the new time period and the reference time marker is at an angular position on the center portion corresponding to the new reference time.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein, after the rotating, the first time is a past time relative to the new reference time and after the rotating, the first icon is plotted on the lower portion.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein, after the rotating, the first time is within the new time period and the first icon is plotted on the planar face at an angular position about the center axis indicating the first time relative to the new reference time.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein a distance of the first icon from the center axis indicates a category of the first information item.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein providing the graphical user interface to the first user comprises providing the graphical user interface to the first user relative to a first user point of view, and wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
- receive from the first user, a request to rotate the user interface; and
- rotate the user interface relative to the first user point of view.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface further comprises a third icon plotted on the planar face, wherein the third icon corresponds to a third information item associated with a third time, wherein an angular position of the third icon about the center axis indicates the third time, and wherein the third time is within the time period.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape is discontinuous.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first icon and the center axis indicates a property of the first information item.
14. A computer-implemented system for providing users with an interface comprising temporal information, the system comprising:
- a computer system, the computer system comprising at least one processor and operatively associated memory, wherein the computer system is programmed to: generate a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface comprises: a two-dimensional shape positioned orthogonal to a center axis, wherein the two-dimensional shape corresponds to a time period; a first icon plotted on the two-dimensional shape, wherein the first icon corresponds to a first information item associated with a first time during the time period, wherein an angular position of the first icon about the center axis indicates the first time, and wherein a distance of the first icon from the center axis indicates a property of the first information item; and a second icon plotted on the two-dimensional shape, wherein the second icon corresponds to a second information item associated with a second time during the time period, wherein an angular position of the second icon about the center axis indicates the second time, and wherein a distance of the second icon from the center axis indicates a property of the second information item; and provide the graphical user interface to a first user.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface also comprises a reference time marker corresponding to an angular position on the two-dimensional shape about the center axis indicating a first reference time.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
- receive a request to change the graphical user interface such that the reference time marker indicates a new reference time, wherein the first reference time and the new reference time are within the time period;
- in response, rotate the two-dimensional shape relative to the reference time marker until the reference time marker corresponds to an angular position on the two-dimensional shape indicating the new reference time, wherein after the rotation: the angular position of the first icon about the center axis indicates the first time relative to the reference time marker indicating the new reference time; and the angular position of the second icon about the center axis indicates the second time relative to the reference time marker indicating the new reference time.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the two-dimensional shape is a circle centered on the center axis, and wherein the graphical user interface further comprises:
- a plurality of rings surrounding the two-dimensional shape and centered on the center axis, wherein each of the plurality of rings corresponds to one of a plurality of time periods, wherein the plurality of time periods are positioned chronologically relative to one another in order of distance from the center axis;
- a third icon plotted on a first ring selected from the plurality of rings, wherein the third icon corresponds to a third information item associated with a third time during a first ring time period selected from the plurality of time periods and corresponding to the first ring, wherein an angular position of the third icon indicates the third time.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein a distance of the third icon from a centermost boundary of the first ring indicates a property of the third event.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of rings extend above the two-dimensional shape along a first direction of the center axis, wherein the distance of successive rings above the two dimensional shape increases with increasing distance from the center axis.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of rings are interconnected to form a spiral.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
- receive a request from the first user to change the graphical user interface such that the reference time marker corresponds to a new reference time outside of the time period and in a second ring time period selected from the plurality of time periods; and
- in response, rotate the two-dimensional shape and the plurality of rings relative to the reference time marker wherein after the rotation: the third icon is plotted on a second ring selected from the plurality of rings, wherein the second ring corresponds to the first ring time period, and wherein a distance between the second ring and the center axis indicates a time difference between the first ring time period and the new reference time; and the third icon is positioned plotted on the first ring at an angular position indicating the third time relative to the new reference time.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein after the rotation, the first and second icons are no longer plotted on the two-dimensional shape.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein after the rotation, the first icon is plotted on a third ring selected from the plurality of rings, wherein a distance between the third ring and the center axis and an angular position of the first icon on the third ring indicate a time difference between the first time and the new reference time.
24. The system of claim 14, wherein the property of the first information item indicates a category of the first information item.
25. The system of claim 14, wherein the first time period is a future time period relative to a present time.
26. The system of claim 14, wherein the first time period is a past time period relative to a present time.
27. The system of claim 14, wherein the two-dimensional shape has a first face pointing in a first direction along the center axis corresponding to the time period, wherein the first icon and the second icon are plotted on the first face.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the two-dimensional shape also has a second face pointing in a second direction along the center axis opposite the first direction, wherein the second face corresponds to a past time period, and wherein the graphical user interface further comprises:
- a first past icon plotted on the second face of the two-dimensional shape, wherein the first past icon corresponds to a first past event at a first time during the past time period, wherein an angular position of the first past icon indicates the first time during the past time period, and wherein a distance of the first past icon from the center axis indicates a property of the first past event.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein providing the graphical user interface to the first user comprises displaying to the first user the first face of the two-dimensional shape, wherein the computer system is further programmed to:
- receive a request from the first user to view the second face of the two-dimensional shape; and
- rotate the two-dimensional shape relative to a point of view of the first user such that the point of view of the first user comprises the second face of the two-dimensional shape.
30. The system of claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface also comprises:
- a three-dimensional shape positioned along the center axis, wherein the three-dimensional shape is positioned relative to the two-dimensional shape such that the three-dimensional shape has a first portion that is positioned along the center axis on a first side of the two-dimensional shape and a second portion that is positioned along the center axis on a second side of the two dimensional shape, wherein the first portion represents time in the future relative to the time period and the second portion represents time in the past relative to the time period; and
- a third icon plotted on the first portion, wherein the third icon corresponds to a third information item associated with a third time, where the third time is indicated by a position of the third icon on the first portion, and wherein the third time is in the future relative to the time period; and
- a fourth icon plotted on the second portion, wherein the fourth icon corresponds to a fourth information item associated with a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is indicated by a position of the fourth icon on the second portion, and wherein the fourth time is in the past relative to the time period.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventor: James T. Daly, IV (Fort Myers, FL)
Application Number: 13/843,510
International Classification: G06F 3/0481 (20060101);