Dual timeline

• US 10,642,471 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2014
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Robertson, Mark, Chow, Chadwick, Turner, Jay, van den Broek, Hendrik
• Primary Examiner(s): Ell, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Linda
• Application Number:
  US14/532,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20150379097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,009 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/26 Visual data mining; Browsing structured data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

Dual timeline visualizations include a detail timescale shown along two item regions. Display objects shown in an item region may represent events, activities, or multiple stacked events and activities from a set of chronological data items. Display objects have positions and sizes representing those of the corresponding events and activities, and may include data-related or user-selected colors and/or hashing. The detail timescale, in unison with the item regions, may be scrollable and resizable in the direction of time. The item regions may be separately scrollable and resizable in another direction. A visualization may also include an overview panel representing a summary view of both sets of chronological data items, with its own timescale, and a lens showing the position of the detail timescale and item regions.

Claims

1. A method of generating a timeline visualization for comparing two datasets of chronologically ordered data, the method comprising:

retrieving first and second datasets from a data storage system, wherein the first dataset includes at least a first data item associated with a first time value and a first duration value and the second dataset includes at least a second data item associated with a second time value;

generating for display a first detail timescale including at least the first time value, wherein the first detail timescale covers a first time period and displays time units in a first direction;

generating for display a first item region, wherein the first item region is aligned with the first detail timescale;

generating for display a second detail timescale including at least the second time value, wherein the second detail timescale covers a second time period not a function of the first time period, and displays time units in the first direction;

generating for display a second item region, wherein the second item region is aligned with the second detail timescale;

generating for display in the first item region a first display object corresponding with the first data item, wherein the first display object includes a first display object position with respect to the first detail timescale based on the first time value and a size based on the first duration value, wherein the first display object extends from the first detailed timescale in a first direction perpendicular to a first axis of the first detailed timescale;

generating for display in the second item region a second display object corresponding with the second data item, wherein the second display object includes a second display object position with respect to the second detail timescale based on the second time value, wherein the second display object extends from the second detailed timescale in a second direction perpendicular to a second axis of the second detailed timescale;

forwarding the first and second detail timescales, the first and second item regions, and the first and second display objects to a user device adapted to display the timeline visualization;

generating for display an overview panel, including an overview timescale formed by collapsing the first data set and the second data set together, wherein the overview timescale is different than the first detail timescale and different than the second detail timescale, wherein the overview panel is responsive to a user scroll/resize input in the first direction, such that the overview panel is scrolled in the first direction without affecting display of the first and second detail timescales and the first and second item regions;

generating a lens portion of the overview panel whose duration matches a duration of at least the first detail timescale, wherein the lens portion is configured such that increasing and decreasing a size of the lens portion controls an increase or decrease of the level of detail within the first item region and the second item region;

removing detail from the first display object and the second display object to form a first marker and a second marker representing the first data item and second data item respectively;

displaying the first marker and the second marker within the overview panel, wherein;

a first marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the first time value;

a first marker size is based on the first duration value;

a second marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the second time value;

forwarding the overview panel to the user device adapted to display the overview panel;

retrieving a third dataset from the data storage system, wherein the third dataset includes at least a third data item associated with a third time value and a third duration value at least partially overlapping with the first time value and the first duration value, wherein the first display object corresponds with both the first and the third data item, and the first display object includes a visual indicator to show that it represents multiple data items; and

receiving a user input unstack command to unstack the multiple data items represented by the first display object;

in response to receiving the user input unstack command performing the following acts;

reducing a contrast of the at least partially displayed first and second detail timescales, first and second item regions, and first and second display objects;

generating individual display objects corresponding to at least part of the multiple data items;

forwarding the individual display objects to the user device; and

displaying the individual display objects with controls that allow navigation to any of the individual display objects.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first item region and the first detail timescale are responsive to a user scroll input in the first direction, such that the first item region and the first detail timescale scroll in unison in the first direction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first item region and the first detail timescale are responsive to a user resize input in the first direction, such that the first item region and the first detail timescale resize in unison in the first direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first detail timescale is oriented horizontally.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first detail timescale is oriented vertically.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first item region is responsive to a user scroll input in a second direction, not aligned with the first detail timescale, such that the first item region scrolls in the second direction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second item region is not responsive to the user scroll input in the second direction.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the user scroll input in the second direction includes a selection of a user interface control associated with the first item region.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the user scroll input in the second direction includes a touchscreen input gesture inside the first item region.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first display object includes a first color and the second display object includes a second color.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first display object is responsive to a user change color input, such that the first color can be set by the user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first color is based on information included in the first dataset and the second color is based on information included in the second dataset.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device excludes the data storage system.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device includes the data storage system.

15. A system comprising the following hardware components ((a) through (d)):

(a) an application server coupled with (b) a data storage device and adapted to receive requests from (c) a user device via (d) at least one network, wherein the application server is programmed to perform a method comprising;

retrieving first and second datasets from the data storage system, wherein the first and second datasets each include chronologically ordered data, the first dataset includes at least a first data item associated with a first time value and a first duration value, and the second dataset includes at least a second data item associated with a second time value;

generating for display a first detail timescale including at least the first time value, wherein the first detail timescale covers a first time period and displays time units in a first direction;

generating for display a first item region, wherein the first item region is aligned with the first detail timescale;

generating for display a second detail timescale including at least the second time value, wherein the second detail timescale covers a second time period not a function of the first time period, and displays time units in the first direction;

generating for display a second item region, wherein the second item region is aligned with the second detail timescale;

generating for display in the first item region a first display object corresponding with the first data item, wherein the first display object includes a first display object position with respect to the first detail timescale based on the first time value and a size based on the first duration value, wherein the first display object extends from the first detailed timescale in a first direction perpendicular to a first axis of the first detailed timescale;

generating for display in the second item region a second display object corresponding with the second data item, wherein the second display object includes a second display object position with respect to the second detail timescale based on the second time value, wherein the second display object extends from the second detailed timescale in a second direction perpendicular to a second axis of the second detailed timescale;

forwarding the first and second detail timescales, the first and second item regions, and the first and second display objects to the user device to display as a timeline visualization;

generating for display an overview panel, including an overview timescale formed by collapsing the first data set and the second data set together, wherein the overview timescale is different than the first detail timescale and different than the second detail timescale, wherein the overview panel is responsive to a user scroll/resize input in the first direction, such that the overview panel is scrolled in the first direction without affecting display of the first and second detail timescales and the first and second item regions;

generating a lens portion of the overview panel whose duration matches a duration of at least the first detail timescale, wherein the lens portion is configured such that increasing and decreasing a size of the lens portion generates an increase or decrease of a level of detail within the first item region and the second item region;

removing detail from the first display object and the second display object to form a first marker and a second marker representing the first data item and second data item respectively, wherein;

a first marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the first time value;

a first marker size is based on the first duration value;

a second marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the second time value;

forwarding the overview panel to the user device adapted to display the overview panel;

retrieving a third dataset from the data storage system, wherein the third dataset includes at least a third data item associated with a third time value and a third duration value at least partially overlapping with the first time value and the first duration value, wherein

the first display object corresponds with both the first and the third data item and

the first display object includes a visual indicator to show that it represents multiple data items; and

receiving a user input unstack command to unstack the multiple data items represented by the first display object;

in response to receiving the user input unstack command performing the following acts;

reducing a contrast of the at least partially displayed first and second detail timescales, first and second item regions, and first and second display objects;

generating individual display objects corresponding to at least part of the multiple data items;

forwarding the individual display objects to the user device; and

displaying the individual display objects with controls that allow navigation to any of the individual display objects.

16. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable information storage medium including instructions adapted to direct a processor to perform a series of operations, the operations comprising:

retrieving first and second datasets from a data storage system, wherein the first dataset includes at least a first data item associated with a first time value and a first duration value and the second dataset includes at least a second data item associated with a second time value;

generating for display a first detail timescale including at least the first time value, wherein the first detail timescale covers a first time period and displays time units in a first direction;

generating for display a first item region, wherein the first item region is aligned with the first detail timescale;

generating for display a second detail timescale including at least the second time value, wherein the second detail timescale covers a second time period not a function of the first time period, and displays time units in the first direction;

generating for display a second item region, wherein the second item region is aligned with the second detail timescale;

generating for display in the first item region a first display object corresponding with the first data item, wherein the first display object includes a first display object position with respect to the first detail timescale based on the first time value and a size based on the first duration value, wherein the first display object extends from the first detailed timescale in a first direction perpendicular to a first axis of the first detailed timescale;

generating for display in the second item region a second display object corresponding with the second data item, wherein the second display object includes a second display object position with respect to the second detail timescale based on the second time value, wherein the second display object extends from the second detailed timescale in a second direction perpendicular to a second axis of the second detailed timescale;

forwarding the first and second detail timescales, the first and second item regions, and the first and second display objects to a user device to display as a timeline visualization;

generating for display an overview panel, including an overview timescale formed by collapsing the first data set and the second data set together, wherein the overview timescale is different than the first detail timescale and different than the second detail timescale, wherein the overview panel is responsive to a user scroll/resize input in the first direction, such that the overview panel is scrolled in the first direction without affecting display of the first and second detail timescales and the first and second item regions;

generating a lens portion of the overview panel whose duration matches a duration the first detail timescale, wherein the lens portion is configured such that increasing and decreasing a size of the lens portion controls an increase or decrease of a level of detail within the first item region and the second item region;

removing detail from the first display object and the second display object to form a first marker and a second marker representing the first data item and second data item respectively;

displaying the first marker and the second marker within the overview panel, wherein;

a first marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the first time value;

a first marker size is based on the first duration value;

a second marker position with respect to the overview timescale is based on the second time value;

forwarding the overview panel to the user device adapted to display the overview panel;

retrieving a third dataset from the data storage system, wherein the third dataset includes at least a third data item associated with a third time value and a third duration value at least partially overlapping with the first time value and the first duration value, wherein;

the first display object corresponds with both the first and the third data item and

the first display object includes a visual indicator to show that it represents multiple data items; and

receiving a user input unstack command to unstack the multiple data items represented by the first display object;

in response to receiving the user input unstack command performing the following acts;

reducing a contrast of the at least partially displayed first and second detail timescales, first and second item regions, and first and second display objects;

generating individual display objects corresponding to at least part of the multiple data items;

forwarding the individual display objects to the user device; and

displaying the individual display objects with controls that allow navigation to any of the individual display objects.