MULTIMEDIA CALENDAR

• US 20080319818A1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Roseway, Asta, Kikin-Gil, Erez, Gurdin, Boaz
• Granted Patent: US 10,956,874 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• 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 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06314 Calendaring for a resource
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method for creating events for use by an electronic calendar application. A computer device running a calendar application displays a GUI having a representation of a calendar. A first widget on the GUI initiates a software routine for defining an event. The routine generates an interface window having a plurality of event detail widgets which allow the user to interactively define details of the event. Once the details are entered, the event is saved as a multimedia object, and the multimedia object is placed onto the calendar representation. Further, details of the event may include additional multimedia content. Also, the calendar representation itself may include multimedia content. The event may be defined with an approximate time frame rather than a specific time frame. For example, an event may be linked to another event rather than to a specific time frame.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for representing information in an electronic calendar application, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface having a representation of a calendar; and

incorporating a multimedia object having a temporal characteristic onto the calendar representation at a specified calendar location that corresponds to the temporal characteristic.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incorporating step comprises:

identifying at least one detail of a scheduled event on the calendar representation; and

selecting the multimedia object based on its correspondence to the detail.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting step comprises:

receiving the multimedia object via a user upload.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting step comprises:

automatically generating the multimedia object based on search criteria related to the detail.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving content from a source; and

incorporating the content as part of the multimedia object.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the source is a subscription information feed.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the incorporating step further comprises:

providing a first user interface having a plurality of widgets, including a first set of widgets each adapted for receiving input from a user regarding event details; and

receiving data via one of the widgets that defines an approximate time frame for the scheduled event,

wherein the multimedia object is located at the specified location on the calendar representation in correspondence with the approximate time frame.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

saving the calendar representation as a multimedia object.

9. A method for creating an event adapted for use in an electronic calendar application, comprising:

providing a user interface having a plurality of widgets, including a first set of widgets each adapted to receive input regarding a unique detail of the event;

receiving user input via the first set of widgets including at least a title for the event and a time frame for the event;

storing received user input as event data in temporary storage;

receiving a request to save the event;

defining a multimedia object that includes the event data;

identifying a calendar location associated with the time frame; and

rendering the multimedia object at the calendar location.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the defining step further comprises:

providing at least one subsection as part of the multimedia object, said subsection including at least one additional multimedia object.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

defining at least one detail of the event that includes a link to at least a second multimedia object.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

defining at least one detail of the event that includes a link to associate at least one other event with the event.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing at least one widget in the first set of widgets that is adapted to receive input that defines the time frame for the event in approximate terms; and

receiving input via the at least one widget.

14. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display showing a representation of a calendar, a method of defining an event for display on the calendar representation, comprising:

providing a first interface window having a first set of widgets each adapted to receive data defining details of the event;

receiving data via the first set of widgets including an approximate time frame;

saving the event and corresponding details of the event; and

incorporating the event onto the calendar representation using an event representation having a non-rectangular shape.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the event representation is not closely aligned with specific times on the calendar representation.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the event representation is a first multimedia object.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving data includes receiving at least one datum having a second multimedia object associated therewith.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving data further comprises:

providing a second interface window having a second set of widgets each adapted for defining details of the approximate time frame; and

receiving data via the second set of widgets.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving data from a first one of the second set of widgets of a relational operator; and

receiving data from a second one of the second set of widgets of an item to associate with the relational operator to thereby define the approximate time frame.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second one of the second set of widgets is adapted to receive user-defined input.