GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DYNAMIC TIME STRIP FOR DISPLAYING USER-ACCESSIBLE TIME-DEPENDANT DATA OBJECTS
First Claim
1. A computer readable media having computer executable instructions stored thereon for displaying time-dependant data objects on a computer display device, said computer executable instructions comprising:
- providing a dynamic display area represented by a dynamic time strip, said dynamic time strip including one or more indications of time along the length of the dynamic time strip;
populating the dynamic time strip with one or more graphically represented data objects, wherein each of the data objects is positioned along the dynamic time strip relative to at least one associated time;
providing a user interface for scrolling the dynamic time strip to cover a desired period of time in response to a user input;
updating the population and position of the data objects within the time strip to correspond to the desired period of time; and
wherein the dynamic time strip remains visible on the computer display device from within whatever application is currently active on the computer display device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides graphically representing time dependent information or data objects in a sequential manner using a dynamic time strip having implicit or explicit indications of time. The dynamic time strip is a linear graphical strip comprising graphical representations of time dependent information elements or data objects which may or may not include text or markers to indicate the time (i.e. second, minute, hour, day and/or date) along the length of the strip. As time passes, and data objects are changed, added or removed from the time strip, the time strip is automatically and dynamically updated to reflect these changes along with showing the passage of time. The period of time represented by the dynamic time strip is preferably one day, with the dynamic time strip automatically scrolling forward as time passes. However, in one embodiment, the period of time represented by the dynamic time strip is user configurable.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer readable media having computer executable instructions stored thereon for displaying time-dependant data objects on a computer display device, said computer executable instructions comprising:
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providing a dynamic display area represented by a dynamic time strip, said dynamic time strip including one or more indications of time along the length of the dynamic time strip; populating the dynamic time strip with one or more graphically represented data objects, wherein each of the data objects is positioned along the dynamic time strip relative to at least one associated time; providing a user interface for scrolling the dynamic time strip to cover a desired period of time in response to a user input; updating the population and position of the data objects within the time strip to correspond to the desired period of time; and wherein the dynamic time strip remains visible on the computer display device from within whatever application is currently active on the computer display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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5. The computer readable media of claim 5 wherein the curved dynamic time strip forms a closed curve.
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10. A computer readable media having computer executable instructions stored thereon for displaying time-dependant data objects on a computer display device, said computer executable instructions comprising:
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providing a dynamic display area represented by a dynamic time strip, said dynamic time strip including one or more indications of time along the length of the dynamic time strip; populating the dynamic time strip with one or more graphically represented data objects, wherein each of the data objects is positioned along the dynamic time strip relative to at least one associated time; providing a user interface for scrolling the dynamic time strip to cover a desired period of time in response to a user input; updating the population and position of the data objects within the time strip to correspond to the desired period of time; and wherein the user interface further comprises a capability for moving a position of the dynamic time strip to any desired location within the computer display device.
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- 11. The computer readable media of claim 11 wherein the user interface further comprises a capability for opening and displaying the contents of at least one database of graphically represented data objects which are selectable by the user for addition to the dynamic time strip.
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16. A method for displaying time-dependant data objects on a computer display device, comprising:
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providing a dynamic display area represented by a dynamic time strip, said dynamic time strip including one or more indications of time along the length of the dynamic time strip; populating the dynamic time strip with one or more graphically represented data objects, wherein each of the data objects is positioned along the dynamic time strip relative to at least one associated time; providing a user interface for scrolling the dynamic time strip to cover a desired period of time in response to a user input; updating the population and position of the data objects within the time strip to correspond to the desired period of time; and wherein the dynamic time strip remains visible on the computer display device from within whatever application is currently active on the computer display device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification