U.S. patent application number 16/900944 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for offset messages timelines.
The applicant listed for this patent is 9224-5489 QUEBEC INC.. Invention is credited to Mathieu Audet.
Application Number | 20200311338 16/900944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004885923 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200311338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Audet; Mathieu |
October 1, 2020 |
Offset messages timelines
Abstract
A computer-readable medium including computer-executable
instructions providing a method of displaying arrays of
computer-readable files, the method comprising causing a first
array of computer-readable files to be displayed, said first array
of computer-readable files being displayed along a timeline
according to a first timescale; causing a second array of
computer-readable files to be displayed, said second array of
computer-readable files being displayed along a timeline according
to a second timescale. An interface, a computerized system and a
method for providing same is also disclosed therein.
Inventors: |
Audet; Mathieu; (Orford,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
9224-5489 QUEBEC INC. |
Sherbrooke |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004885923 |
Appl. No.: |
16/900944 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16543566 |
Aug 18, 2019 |
10719658 |
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16900944 |
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14930744 |
Nov 3, 2015 |
10430495 |
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16543566 |
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13798969 |
Mar 13, 2013 |
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14930744 |
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12125908 |
May 22, 2008 |
8601392 |
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13798969 |
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61034625 |
Mar 7, 2008 |
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60971214 |
Sep 10, 2007 |
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60957444 |
Aug 22, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04817 20130101;
G06F 16/904 20190101; G06F 40/103 20200101; G06F 3/04842 20130101;
G06F 3/04815 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 16/29 20190101;
G06F 3/0485 20130101; G06F 16/93 20190101; G06Q 10/109 20130101;
G06F 16/34 20190101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 40/103 20060101
G06F040/103; G06F 3/0481 20060101 G06F003/0481; G06F 16/29 20060101
G06F016/29; G06F 16/34 20060101 G06F016/34; G06F 16/93 20060101
G06F016/93; G06F 3/0482 20060101 G06F003/0482; G06F 3/0485 20060101
G06F003/0485; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that, when executed, provide a method of displaying
elements along a timeline, the method comprising: associating a
first plurality of elements with a first attribute; associating a
second plurality of elements with a second attribute; displaying
the first plurality of elements associated with the first attribute
in a first offset position on a first lateral side of the timeline;
and displaying the second plurality of elements associated with the
second attribute in a second offset position on a second lateral
side of the timeline, whereby the timeline is displayed with two
offset pluralities of elements each disposed on an opposite lateral
side of the timeline, wherein the elements include a timestamp and
the elements are disposed along the timeline with a non-linear
timescale wherein substantially even periods of time are visually
represented with substantially unequal lengths of distance along
the timeline.
22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the first attribute is associated with inbound
communications and the second attribute is associated with outbound
communications.
23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, the
method further comprising: receiving a new element from a network;
associating the new element with the first attribute; and
displaying the new element in the first offset position on the
first lateral side of the timeline.
24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the timeline is vertical.
25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein the first plurality of elements and the second plurality of
elements are substantially symmetrically offset from an axis of the
timeline.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, the
method further comprising displaying a first group of elements with
a visual distinctive feature for visually distinguishing the first
group of elements from the other displayed elements.
27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26,
wherein the visual distinctive feature for visually distinguishing
the first group of elements from the other displayed elements is
selected by a user.
28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, the
method further comprising displaying an axis of elements on a
transversal axis displayed at an angle to the timeline.
29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein at least some of the elements are text elements.
30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21,
wherein at least some of the elements are user-selectable.
31. A method of displaying elements along a timeline, the method
comprising: associating a first plurality of elements with a first
attribute; associating a second plurality of elements with a second
attribute; displaying the first plurality of elements associated
with the first attribute in a first offset position on a first
lateral side of the timeline; and displaying the second plurality
of elements associated with the second attribute in a second offset
position on a second lateral side of the timeline, whereby the
timeline is displayed with two offset pluralities of elements each
disposed on an opposite lateral side of the timeline, wherein the
elements include a timestamp and the elements are disposed along
the timeline with a non-linear timescale wherein substantially
equal periods of time are visually represented with substantially
unequal lengths of distance along the timeline.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first attribute is
associated with inbound communications and the second attribute is
associated with outbound communications.
33. The method of claim 31, the method further comprising:
receiving a new element from a network; associating the new element
with the first attribute; and displaying the new element in the
first offset position on the first lateral side of the
timeline.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the timeline is vertical.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein the first plurality of elements
and the second plurality of elements are substantially
symmetrically offset from an axis of the timeline.
36. The method of claim 31, the method further comprising
displaying a first group of elements with a visual distinctive
feature for visually distinguishing the first group of elements
from the other displayed elements.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the visual distinctive feature
for visually distinguishing the first group of elements from the
other displayed elements is selected by a user.
38. The method of claim 31, the method further comprising
displaying an axis of elements on a transversal axis displayed at
an angle to the timeline.
39. The method of claim 31, wherein at least some of the elements
are text elements.
40. The method of claim 31, wherein at least some of the elements
are user-selectable.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES
[0001] The present invention relates to and claims priority from 1)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/754,219, filed May 25, 2007,
entitled MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD; 2) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/885,120, filed Sep. 13, 2007,
entitled INFORMATION ELEMENTS LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD; 3) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/944,014, filed Nov. 21, 2007,
entitled METHOD AND TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING DOCUMENTS TO ALLOW A
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION; 4) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/774,591, filed Jul. 7, 2007, entitled
INFORMATION ELEMENTS LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD; 5) U.S.
Provisional patent application No. 60/957,444, filed Aug. 22, 2007,
entitled INFORMATION ELEMENTS LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD; 6) U.S.
Provisional patent application No. 60/971,214, filed Sep. 10, 2007,
entitled GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD; and from 7) U.S.
Provisional patent application No. 61/034,625, filed Mar. 7, 2008,
entitled INTERFACE. All the previously cited documents are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present invention also relates to 8) United States
Patent Application Publication No.: US 2007/0214169 A1, published
Sep. 13, 2007, entitled MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LOCATING SYSTEM AND
METHOD; and 9) United States Patent Application Publication No.: US
2007/0271508 A1, published Nov. 22, 2007, entitled
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD. Both of these
documents are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to computer systems and
more specifically to user interfaces for computer systems that
facilitates localization and organization of documents along
timelines.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] United States Patent Application Publication No.: US
2007/0214169 A1, published on Sep. 13, 2007 discloses a
Multi-dimensional locating system and method (title). The patent
application discloses ways for managing and displaying vectors of
documents and other computer-readable files. A vector of documents
groups a plurality of documents along a predetermined order, inter
alia, is taught.
[0005] United States Patent Application Publication No.: US
2007/0271508 A1, published on Nov. 22, 2007 discloses a
Multi-dimensional locating system and method (title). A plurality
of vectors of documents sharing a common timeline is disclosed.
[0006] Under some circumstances it is useful to display documents
along a timeline although it can prevent an efficient use of the
display area when, for example, no documents are located on the
timeline over a significant period of time.
[0007] More than one vector of documents are displayable wherein
each vector of documents can group documents having a specific
attribute in common. Thus the number of documents chronologically
disposed on each vector of documents can vary and a timescale
commonly shared by the vectors of documents does not maximize the
use of the display area.
[0008] Using the same timescale for a plurality of vectors of
documents with a different number of documents on each vector for
the same period of time does not allow an efficient simultaneous
display of the vectors of documents. If the timescale is based on a
vector of documents having many documents, another vector of
documents that has very little documents will almost be empty.
Conversely, if the timescale is based on the vector of documents
having very little documents, the other vector will be so crowded
with documents that it will hardly be possible to usefully glance
through the documents. The documents being not enough evenly
distributed on both vectors of documents it becomes difficult to
appreciate documents displayed on different vectors of documents at
the same time with the same timescale.
[0009] Another issue arise when one vector of documents is more
insightfully displaying its documents according to a linear
timeline to show, for example, the distribution of the documents on
the vector and another vector of documents displays that documents
according to a non-linear timeline (i.e. because there is no added
value to show the distribution of the documents along the
timeline). A common timeline can therefore hardly be used for both
arrays of documents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of
the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole
purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented later.
[0011] It is one aspect of the present invention to provide more
than one timeline along which arrays of documents/computer-readable
files/multimedia assets are displayed.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides an
interface adapted to display arrays of documents chronologically
displaying documents along timelines using different
timescales.
[0013] One other aspect of the present invention provides an
interface adapted to display documents along a timeline using a
linear timescale, where the documents are not evenly displayed
along the timeline representing time in a linear fashion, and
documents along a timeline using a non-linear timescale, presenting
documents with a substantially constant interval therebetween.
[0014] One other aspect of the invention provides a combined view
where a plurality of arrays of documents displaying documents along
a timeline using a linear timescale are displayed with a plurality
of arrays of documents displaying documents along a timeline using
a non-linear timescale.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention provides separate display
areas (or time space) respectively displaying arrays of documents
about distinct timelines in each display area. The timelines can
use a non-linear or a linear timescale.
[0016] An aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of
arrays of documents displayed along their respective timelines and
adapted to move independently along their respective timeline.
[0017] One other aspect of the present invention provides a display
with multiple time-spaces, each time-space displaying a timeline
with its own timescale.
[0018] One aspect of the present invention provides a display with
multiple time-spaces, each time-space displaying a timeline using
either a linear timescale or a non-linear timescale.
[0019] Another aspect of the present invention provides a function
to change the timescale of an array of documents between a linear
timescale and a non-linear timescale.
[0020] An aspect of the present invention provides a first
time-space on a first display and a second time-space on a second
display.
[0021] One aspect of the present invention provides time marks that
are shared between a plurality of arrays of documents using a
compatible timescale.
[0022] Another aspect of the present invention provides a
computerized system adapted to read computer executable
instructions adapted to enable a program element enabling an
interface adapted to display arrays of documents, the computerized
system comprising a processing unit adapted to process the computer
executable instructions, a display adapted to display the
interface; and the program element, when executed, being operative
for causing an array of computer-readable files to be displayed,
the array of computer readable files being displayed along a
timeline according to a first timescale; and causing an array of
computer readable files to be displayed, the array of computer
readable files being displayed along a timeline according to a
second timescale.
[0023] One other aspect of the present invention provides a
computer interface comprising a first array of documents to be
displayed, said first array of documents being displayed along a
timeline according to a first timescale; a second array of
documents to be displayed, said second array of documents being
displayed along a timeline according to a second timescale.
[0024] An aspect of the present invention provides a
computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions
providing a method of displaying arrays of computer-readable files,
the method comprising causing a first array of computer-readable
files to be displayed, said first array of computer-readable files
being displayed along a timeline according to a first timescale;
causing a second array of computer-readable files to be displayed,
said second array of computer-readable files being displayed along
a timeline according to a second timescale.
[0025] These and other advantages and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and
the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a computer system;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one exemplary process that can be
used to create a new array of documents;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustrative display
portion of a graphical user interface displaying a plurality of
arrays of documents along a linear timeline;
[0029] FIG. 4 is the schematic view of FIG. 3 with additional
intersecting arrays of documents;
[0030] FIG. 5 is the schematic view of FIG. 3 with invisible units
of time;
[0031] FIG. 6 is the schematic view of FIG. 3 with non-aligned time
marks;
[0032] FIG. 7 is the schematic view of FIG. 3 with non-aligned time
marks and invisible units of time;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an illustrative graphical user
interface displaying a plurality of arrays of documents along a
non-linear timeline;
[0034] FIG. 9 is the schematic view of FIG. 8 with units of time
about to become invisible;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an illustrative graphical
user interface displaying a plurality of arrays of documents along
a non-linear timeline;
[0036] FIG. 11 is the schematic view of FIG. 10 with some invisible
units of time;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an illustrative graphical
user interface displaying a plurality of arrays of documents along
a non-linear timeline; and
[0038] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a plurality of arrays of
documents along either a non-linear timeline or a linear
timeline.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The present invention is now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may
be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
facilitate describing the present invention.
[0040] The features provided in this specification mainly relates
to computer software and machine-readable code/instructions. This
code/instructions are preferably stored on a machine-readable
medium to be read and acted upon to with a computer or a machine
having the appropriate code/instructions reading capability.
[0041] FIG. 1 and the following discussion provide a brief, general
description of an exemplary apparatus in which at least some
aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The present
invention will be described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed by a personal computer. However, the methods of the
present invention may be affected by other apparatus. Program
modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, etc. that perform a task(s) or implement particular
abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that at least some aspects of the present invention may
be practiced with other configurations, including hand-held
devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network computers,
minicomputers, set top boxes, mainframe computers, portable phones
and the like. At least some aspects of the present invention may
also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks
are performed by remote processing devices linked through a
communications network (i.e. client-server, internet based
application, . . . ). In a distributed computing environment,
program modules may be located in local and/or remote memory
storage devices.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary apparatus 100 for
implementing at least some aspects of the present invention
includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a
conventional personal computer 120. The personal computer 120 may
include a processing unit 121, a system memory 122, and a system
bus 123 that couples various system components, including the
system memory 122, to the processing unit 121. The system bus 123
may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory
bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using
any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may
include read only memory (ROM) 124 and/or random access memory
(RAM) 125. A basic input/output system 126 (BIOS), containing basic
routines that help to transfer information between elements within
the personal computer 120, such as during start-up, may be stored
in ROM 124. The personal computer 120 may also include a hard disk
drive 127 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, (not shown),
a magnetic disk drive 128 for reading from or writing to a (e.g.,
removable) magnetic disk 129, and an optical disk drive 130 for
reading from or writing to a removable (magneto) optical disk 131
such as a compact disk or other (magneto) optical media. The hard
disk drive 127, magnetic disk drive 128, and (magneto) optical disk
drive 130 may be coupled with the system bus 123 by a hard disk
drive interface 132, a magnetic disk drive interface 133, and a
(magneto) optical drive interface 134, respectively. The drives and
their associated storage media provide nonvolatile (or persistent)
storage of machine readable instructions, data structures, program
modules and other data for the personal computer 120. Although the
exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a
removable magnetic disk 129 and a removable optical disk 131, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of storage
media, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs),
read only memories (ROM), and the like, may be used instead of, or
in addition to, the storage devices introduced above.
[0043] A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk
127, magnetic disk 129, (magneto) optical disk 131, ROM 124 or RAM
125, such as an operating system 135 (for example, Windows.RTM.
NT.RTM. 4.0, sold by Microsoft.RTM. Corporation of Redmond, Wash.),
one or more application programs 136, other program modules 137
(such as "Alice", which is a research system developed by the User
Interface Group at Carnegie Mellon University available at
www.Alice.org, OpenGL from Silicon Graphics Inc. of Mountain View
Calif., or Direct 3D from Microsoft Corp. of Bellevue Wash.),
and/or program data 138 for example.
[0044] A user may enter commands and information into the personal
computer 120 through input devices, such as a keyboard 140, a
camera 141 and pointing device 142 for example. Other input devices
(not shown) such as a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite
dish, scanner, a touch sensitive screen, or the like may also be
included. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 121 through a serial port interface 146 coupled to
the system bus. However, input devices may be connected by other
interfaces, such as a parallel port, a game port or a universal
serial bus (USB). For example, since the bandwidth of the camera
141 may be too great for the serial port, the video camera 141 may
be coupled with the system bus 123 via a video capture card (not
shown). The video monitor 147 or other type of display device may
also be connected to the system bus 123 via an interface, such as a
video adapter 148 for example. The video adapter 148 may include a
graphics accelerator. One or more speaker 162 may be connected to
the system bus 123 via a sound card 161 (e.g., a wave table
synthesizer such as product number AWE64 Gold Card from
Creative.RTM. Labs of Milpitas, Calif.). In addition to the monitor
147 and speaker(s) 162, the personal computer 120 may include other
peripheral output devices (not shown), such as a printer for
example. As an alternative or an addition to the video monitor 147,
a stereo video output device, such as a head mounted display or LCD
shutter glasses for example, could be used.
[0045] The personal computer 120 may operate in a networked
environment which defines logical connections to one or more remote
computers, such as a remote computer 149. The remote computer 149
may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC,
a peer device or other common network node, and may include many or
all of the elements described above relative to the personal
computer 120, although only a memory storage device has been
illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1
include a local area network (LAN) 151 and a wide area network
(WAN) 152, an intranet and the Internet.
[0046] When used in a LAN, the personal computer 120 may be
connected to the LAN 151 through a network interface adapter (or
"NIC") 153. When used in a WAN, such as the Internet, the personal
computer 120 may include a modem 154 or other means for
establishing communications over the wide area network 152 (e.g.
Wi-Fi, WinMax). The modem 154, which may be internal or external,
may be connected to the system bus 123 via the serial port
interface 146. In a networked environment, at least some of the
program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 120 may
be stored in the remote memory storage device. The network
connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a
communications link between the computers may be used.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one exemplary way to create an
array of documents (or an array of computer-readable files or an
array of multimedia assets). A user of the computer interface
desires to create a new array of documents 172. The user decides
what timescale will use the timeline of the new array of documents
176. If a linear timescale is selected the documents will be
disposed on the new array of documents along a timeline using a
linear timescale 178. Conversely, if a non-linear timescale is
selected the documents will be disposed on the new array of
documents along a timeline using a non-linear timescale 174.
Continuing with the new array of documents using a non-linear
timescale 174 the user can decide whether isolated movement of the
new array of documents along its timeline will be allowed 182. The
location of the new array of documents on the display is then
selected 186 and the new array of documents is displayed on the
display 190.
[0048] Returning back to the new array of documents using the
linear timescale 178. Once the type of timescale is decided the
user decides if s/he wants to associate the linear timescale of the
new array of documents with an already existing array of documents
using a linear timescale 180. If no association with another array
of documents is made then the process follows the route explained
above at box 182. In contrast, if the linear timescale of the new
array of documents is associated with another array of documents,
the another array of documents is then selected among other arrays
of documents 184. The array of documents to be selected can already
be associated with a number of other arrays of documents thus all
sharing the same linear timescale. Once the other array of
documents is selected then the location of the display of the new
array of document is decided 188. It can be made by a simple
selection on the display but preferably next to the array of
documents with which the timescale is shared so that the time marks
can be commonly shared. The new array of documents is then
displayed 192. This ends 194 one exemplary way to create a new
array of documents taking into consideration the type of timescale
to be used in addition to several other related decisions.
[0049] Now that a general process has been explained we will move
to a more detailed explanation of its constituting parts.
[0050] In the context of the present invention the following terms
are generally used with their associated meaning.
[0051] Document: A piece of information. Generally a computer file
usually created with an application (such as a word processor)
carrying textual, audio, video or graphical information.
[0052] Timeline: A chronological order adapted to position
documents according to a time-related parameter.
[0053] Timescale: The time distribution along the timeline.
[0054] Linear timescale: Substantially constant time
distribution.
[0055] Non-linear timescale: Substantially variable time
distribution.
[0056] Array: A regular and imposing grouping or arrangement of
documents/files/assets. Generally an array of documents will
dispose documents along a substantially rectilinear fashion
although other dispositions (such as inter alia multiple
rectilinear superposition, matrixes, flow charts like disposition,
tri-dimensional distribution) are encompassed by the present
definition.
[0057] Combined view: Display of arrays of documents having
different timescales.
[0058] Display: Means for displaying a graphical representation of
an array of documents. Commonly referred to, inter alia, a computer
screen, a television, a projector, a touch sensitive screen and a
means to provide tri-dimensional graphical rendering.
[0059] Time-space: Means for displaying arrays of documents using a
similar timescale. The time-space can accommodate a single array of
document.
Embodiment One--Linear Timescale with Aligned Time Marks Between
Arrays of Documents Having Units of Time of Similar Duration
[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates three arrays of documents 200.1, 200.2,
200.3 disposed next to one another on a computer interface 8. Each
array of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 has a vector-like shape and
is bordered with guides 208 to visually emphasis the width and the
direction of the each array of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3. Each
array of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 displays a series of
documents 10 disposed along a timeline 202. Each array of documents
200.1, 200.2, 200.3 can group and display a plurality of documents
10 having a commonality. A commonality like an attribute associated
with each document or a tag in common so that only a subset of a
larger group of documents 10 is displayed. In the present situation
the timeline is a chronological timeline where positive time 206 is
heading to the right of FIG. 3. Each document 10 is disposed along
the timeline 202 on its array of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 in
accordance with a time-related criteria that can be, inter alia,
the time of insertion of the document 10 in the computer system
running the interface, the time at which a document was modified
last, the time of creation of the document, the last viewed time,
the end of a delay, a bar date, the date by which a document should
be received in reaction to an action made earlier in time or simply
an arbitrary time associated with each document. The user can
decide, for instance, that all documents 10 will be displayed along
their related timelines using the time of insertion of the
documents in the computer system. This way all documents will be
disposed on a timeline at the exact time they were inserted in the
computer system. For simplification each document can appear during
the day of its insertion in the system and not precisely at the
exact hour.
[0061] Still on FIG. 3, each array of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3
is separated in unit of time. In this case the units of time are
days D1, D2, D3, D4. Each unit of time D1, D2, D3, D4 is separated
with a time mark 204. For example, day 1 (D1), day 2 (D2), day 3
(D3), day 4 (D4) and day 5 (D5) all have the same length 212 and
are each respectively separated by a time mark 204. In this case,
the illustrative example is using a "day" as time unit but it could
be minutes, hours, weeks, months, years, fiscal year, a project
milestones or any other custom duration of time. Each unit of time
D1, D2, D3, D4 on FIG. 3 is represented with a constant time length
212. The first document 10.1 on the array of documents 200.1 was,
for example, inserted in the computer system on the second half of
the day represented by unit of time D1. No document was inserted on
D2 and so on so forth.
[0062] The timescale of all arrays of documents depicted on FIG. 3
is a linear timescale. This means that the duration of each unit of
time D1, D2, D3, D4 is represented having the same length 212. The
constant time length 212 provides the possibility of aligning 214
each time mark 204 to unify the timescale of all arrays of
documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4.
[0063] Still referring to FIG. 3, the distance between each array
of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 can be the same of it can vary
depending on what is desired by the user of the computer interface
8. Each document 10 is represented with a rectangle 12 but other
shapes are encompassed by the present invention. The rectangular
shape 12 is used because it infers more easily with a sheet of
paper in the present illustrative example. Each document 10 is
either displaying the document itself, a thumbnail of the document
or an icon depending on the purpose of the view, the level of the
zoom and/or the desired amount of details to be shown. A picture
taken in landscape would have a different shape and the present
invention does not intend to be limited to the illustrative shapes
displayed in the Figures.
[0064] In the following Figures all documents 10, time marks 204
and time length 212 might not be individually associated with a
related reference number to avoid unusefully overloading the
Figures. The Applicant assumes that people skilled in the art of
computer interface will not be confused with the omitted reference
numbers on the Figures when considered in light of the description
and will be resourceful enough to refer to a Figure where the
reference number is indicated or relevant passage from the
description in case of need.
[0065] Turning back now to FIG. 4 illustrating the same three
arrays of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 from FIG. 3. Two additional
arrays of documents 200.4, 200.5 have been added non-parallel to
the three first arrays of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3. Array
200.4 is logically intersecting array 200.2, based on intersecting
document 20. Array 200.4 also shows time marks 204 and constant
time lengths 212. Similarly, intersecting array 200.5 is logically
intersecting array 200.1, based on intersecting document 20. Array
200.5 also shows time marks 204 and variable time lengths 222 that
will be discussed below. The role of intersecting arrays 200.4,
200.5 is explained in details in a previous patent application
referenced by the instant patent application and will not be
discussed here in details.
[0066] The array of documents 200.1 illustrated on FIG. 3 and FIG.
4 has a unit of time D2 containing no documents. Depending on the
situation it might be helpful to see the distribution of the
documents 10 depicted along the timeline 202 of array 200.1 with
the empty units of time. However, it is also a loss of space on the
display if the distribution of the documents 10 on the array and
the showing of a unit of time D2 showing no documents 10 are not
insightful. Removal of specific units of time or empty units of
time can be desirable. For example, a unit of time D4 might not
contain documents 10 that are desirable to see and this unit of
time D4 might be removed from the display. The removal of units of
time can be made manually by a user of automatically if, for
instance, there is no documents in a time unit or if only documents
having a specified attribute are present.
[0067] An alternate view of FIG. 3 hiding unit of time D4 is
illustrated on FIG. 5. The unit of time D4 is hidden and the time
marks 204 juxtaposed to the unit of time D4 have been moved close
one to each other to form a distinctive visual time mark 30 that is
called invisible unit of time mark 30. The selection of invisible
unit of time mark 30 by the user of the interface can provide
information about the invisible time period and the possibility of
display it if desired. A selection of one or many unit(s) of time D
can offer the possibility to render invisible this portion of the
timeline.
Embodiment Two--Linear Timescale with Non-Aligned Time Marks
Between Arrays of Documents Having Units of Time of Similar
Duration
[0068] FIG. 6 illustrates the three arrays of documents 200.1,
200.2, 200.3 of FIG. 3 with the difference that the time marks 204
are not aligned anymore as indicated by dotted arrow 230. Despite
the three arrays of documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 sharing a similar
linear timescale they cannot share the same timemarks 204.
[0069] Array of document 200.2 has been individually translated in
the positive 206 direction of the timeline 202 as indicated by
arrow 234 while the first array of documents 200.1 remained in the
same position. The third array of documents 200.3 has slightly been
individually translated in the negative direction of the timeline
202 as indicated by arrow 236.
[0070] The translation along the timeline of an array of documents
200.2, 200.3 allows a user to visualize a different unit of time on
the array of documents. For example, array of documents 200.1
displays units of time D1, D2, D3, D4 while units of time D18, D19,
D20, D21 are displayed for the second array of documents 200.2. The
third array of documents 200.3 is still displaying the same units
of time D1, D2, D3, D4 as the first array of documents 200.1
although a slight translation has began and unit of time D5 is now
partially visible anymore.
[0071] The translation of an array of document can be made with an
appropriate control in communication with the computer system to
manage the arrays of documents on the interface. For instance, the
arrow keys on the keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, fingers on
a tactile screen, a gamepad or any other means to influence the
position of the arrays on the display is encompassed by the present
invention. In the present example a point-click-hold-and-move set
of actions with a pointing device has positioned the arrays of
documents.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 7 one can appreciate that, as indicated by
arrow 238, unit of time D4 from array of documents 200.1 has been
hidden in favor of adjacent units of time D3, D5 containing
documents. Several units of time (e.g. D20 to D25 and D27) have
been hidden from array of documents 200.2 as indicated by invisible
unit of time timemarks 240, 242. On array of documents 200.3, units
of time D3, D4 are in the process of being hidden to benefit units
of time D2, D5. Invisible unit of time timemarks 244, 246 are
already displayed on array of documents 200.3 and a length 248 will
not be visible anymore until the interface is instructed to render
this length 248 visible again. Units of time including documents
can be hidden if required by the user based on some criterions like
a selected attribute.
Embodiment Three--Linear Timescale with Non-Aligned Time Marks
Between Arrays of Documents Having Units of Time of Dissimilar
Durations
[0073] FIG. 7 illustrates three arrays of documents 200.1, 200.2,
200.3 having a linear timescale. The linear timescale of each array
of documents is however different as opposed to the previous
illustrative example depicted on FIG. 6. On FIG. 8, the first array
200.1 uses unit of time 212.1 having a duration of time that is
longer than the duration of the unit of time 212.2 of array 200.3.
The duration of the unit of time 212.3 of array 200.3 is longer
than the duration of time of unit of time 212.2 but shorter than
the duration of unit of time 212.1. A different number of unit of
time 212 can be shown on the same display width.
[0074] Since arrays 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 are not using the same
duration of unit of time they cannot share the same time marks 204.
The duration of the unit of time of each array of documents can be
selected individually to provide the view that is the most suited
for the user. If for instance array 200.1 is displaying documents
10 that are more important than the documents displayed by array
200.2, then, the duration of the unit of time 212.1 can be set to
be longer than the duration of the unit of time 212.2. Because the
durations of time of each array of documents is distinct the time
marks cannot be used collectively.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 9 one can appreciate the same arrays
of documents as the ones displayed on FIG. 8 although lengths of
time 248 from array 200.2 are about to be rendered invisible. The
principle has been explained before and it will not be re-explained
here. The same mechanism is simply applied in this embodiment.
Embodiment Four--Arrays of Documents Using Non-Linear
Timescales
[0076] Turning now to FIG. 10 displaying three new arrays of
documents 200.6, 200.7, 200.8. Each of these arrays of documents
200.6, 200.7, 200.8 are displaying documents 10 along their
respective timelines 202 using a non-linear timescale. The
non-linear time line is giving up the linearity of time in favor of
an even documents distribution using more efficiently the space
available on the array of documents. The use of a non-linear
timescale disposes each document 10 at a substantially constant
interval. For instance, array of documents 200.6 display a portion
of its first time unit D1 having a length 222.1 corresponding to
the length needed to display all documents 10 that need to be
displayed in time unit D1. The second time unit D2 on array of
documents 200.6 displays six documents 10 along the timeline 202
and the length 222.2 is the length needed to evenly distribute and
display the six documents 10. The same for the third time unit D3
with its four documents. Each time unit D1, D2, D3 is separated
with a time mark 204 from the other adjacent time unit.
[0077] Still on FIG. 10, array of documents 200.7 displays time
units D156, D157, D158, D159, D160, D161, D162. Each time unit
D156-D162 contains a number of documents 10 and the length of each
time unit 222.4, 222.5, 222.6, 222.7, 222.8, 222.9, 222.10 is
proportional to the length needed to equally distribute the number
of documents belonging to each unit of time. The same logic applies
to array of documents 200.8 with units of time D88-D92 and timeline
lengths 222.11-222.15.
[0078] Each array of documents 200.6, 200.7, 200.8 can be displaced
along the timeline 202 like it is respectively indicated by arrows
250, 252, 254. This explains why different time periods are visible
on each array despite they appear one over the other. The time
marks 204 are not aligned across the three arrays of documents
because the length of each time unit D* is not standardized (e.g.
non-linear timescale) in contrast to the standardized length of
units of time used by a linear timescale as previously
described.
[0079] The non-linear timescale 220 does save space on the display
because there are no empty spaces left out as opposed to the use of
a linear timescale 210 always using the same length for each unit
of time.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 11 one can appreciate the removal of
particular time units. Time units D162 is now invisible and
invisible unit of time time mark 30 identifies the location of the
invisible time units. Array of documents 200.8 has two invisible
unit of time marks 30 because units of time D91-D94 and D96 are
invisible. The same principle of invisibility is applied here on
arrays of documents 200.6, 200.7, 2008 using a non-linear timescale
220.
Embodiment Five--Arrays of Documents Using Non-Linear Timescales
and Aligned Time Marks
[0081] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment where the three
arrays of documents 200.9, 200.10, 200.11 are using a shard
non-linear timescale to display the documents along their timelines
202. On FIG. 12 however, despite a non-linear timescale is used,
the time marks 204 are aligned across all arrays of documents
200.9, 200.10, 200.11. This is possible by grouping the three
arrays of documents 200.9, 200.10, 200.11 and defining the length
of each unit of time D* by using the longer length 222 needed
across all the arrays of documents 200.9, 200.10, 200.11. In the
illustrative example depicted by FIG. 12 unit of time D2 uses the
length 222.22 based on the length needed to fit the five documents
10 on array 200.9. Unit of time D3 uses the length 222.23 based on
the length needed to fit the two documents 10 on array 200.10, unit
of time D4 uses the length 222.24 based on the length needed to fit
a single document 10 on array 200.9 and unit of time D5 uses the
length 222.25 based on the length needed to fit the three documents
10 on array 200.11. Unit of time D6 have the length of a single
document 10 to accommodate one document located in two arrays
200.9, 200.11.
[0082] This type of presentation allows grouping and aligning the
time marks 204 of a plurality of arrays of documents using a
non-linear timescale 220. The save in display space is not as good
as the previous embodiment however it might be more easy to see the
same time period 222 on several arrays of documents 200 at once.
The movement 250, 252, 254 along the timeline 202 of the arrays of
documents 200.9, 200.10, 200.11 are preferably connected 256 so
that all arrays are moving together to keep the time marks 204.
Embodiment Six--Combined View of Arrays of Documents Using
Non-Linear and Non-Linear Timescales
[0083] FIG. 13 illustrates a view of the interface presenting a
plurality of arrays of documents 200.6, 200.7, 200.8, 200.12,
200.1, 200.2, 200.3. Arrays of documents 200.6, 200.7, 200.8 are
using a non-linear timescale to display the documents along their
time line 202. Conversely, arrays of documents 200.12, 200.1,
200.2, 200.3 are using a linear timescale to display the documents
along their timeline 202.
[0084] Documents on the arrays of documents 200.6, 200.7 are
smaller than the documents on arrays of documents 200.12, for
instance, because it was desired to show more documents 10 on these
arrays of documents despite the documents 10 are smaller. Arrays of
documents 200.6 also illustrates a cut in the timeline 202
illustrated by the invisible unit of time mark 30 where a unit of
time 222 is invisible.
[0085] The time marks 204 on arrays of documents 200.6, 200.7,
200.8 are not aligned because, as explained earlier, they are not
sharing the same linear timescale thus they have different unit of
time 222 lengths.
[0086] Turning now to arrays of documents 200.12, 200.1, 200.2,
200.3 using a linear timescale. The units of time length 212.1 of
the array 200.12 are longer than the unit of time length 212.3 used
by the arrays 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 therefore less units of time will
be displayed on the same display for array 200.12 and the time
marks 204 cannot be aligned 262 or shared. However, arrays of
documents 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 are using a common linear timescale
210 and can therefore share time marks 204 between them. The arrays
can also be moved 250, 252, 254, 258, 260, individually, in groups
or collectively 260, along the timeline 202. Arrays of documents
200.1, 200.2, 200.3 also illustrate a cut in the timeline 202
illustrated by the invisible unit of time mark 30 where one or many
units of time 212.3 are invisible in accordance with the desire of
an hypothetical user.
[0087] All the arrays of documents illustrated on FIG. 13 can be
reordered (i.e. vertically) to meet one's preferences. Spaces can
be left between two arrays although they are all presented sharing
no space therebetween on the illustrative FIG. 13.
[0088] All the arrays of documents can be displayed on the same
"combined" time-space. Although, it might be desirable to separate
each arrays of documents using a distinct timescale, for ease of
use of the interface or for programming purpose, to group arrays of
documents either using similar linear timescale or non-linear
timescale. This grouping can also be made on the basis of the
timescale used to distribute the documents 10 on the arrays of
documents. Each group of arrays of documents will define a
time-space because they all commonly share either the linearity of
the timeline or they share the same unit of time length and can
therefore share the time marks 204. This also allows a user to
change the strength of the zoom (zoom-in/zoom-out) on only one
time-space at the time, change the size of the documents, navigate
through time 202 on a single time-space while the other time-spaces
(or a single array of documents defining its own time-space) are
kept still.
[0089] The use of various time-space can be made on a single
display or on a plurality of displays. For example, each display
could present a single time-space and navigate the arrays of
documents more consistently. In the case where more than one
time-space is displayed on a single display then they can appear
with a gap therebetween, in different windows or simply using
alternate views where each view display one time-space at the time
and the switch between the views is made by actuating an icon or a
predetermined set of keys on a keyboard.
[0090] The description and the drawings that are presented above
are meant to be illustrative of the present invention. They are not
meant to be limiting of the scope of the present invention.
Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without
departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined
by the following claims:
* * * * *
References