JOURNALING ON MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20110252057A1
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Huang, Ronald K., Piemonte, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,316,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/770
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2322 using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A journaling subsystem on a mobile device stores event data related to applications or other subsystems running on the mobile device. The event data can be stored and indexed in a journal database so that a timeline of past events can be reconstructed in response to search queries. In some implementations, a timeline can be reconstructed with markers on a map display based on search results. When the user interacts with a marker on the map display, the event data collected by the mobile device is made available to the user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method performed by a mobile device, the method comprising:

configuring a processor of the mobile device to collect journal event data over a time span;

storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in a database;

receiving a request for journal event data;

responsive to the request, retrieving the requested journal event data from the database; and

providing the journal event data for display on the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, where configuring the processor to collect journal event data includes configuring the processor to automatically collect at least one of network connection event data, radio broadcast event data, power event data, accessory attachment event data, communication event data, web browsing event data, transaction event data, and download event data.

3. The method of claim 2, where configuring the processor to collect journal event data includes configuring the processor to automatically record a timestamp and location information of each event, the timestamp corresponding to a time the event occurred, the location information corresponding to a location at which the event occurred.

4. The method of claim 2, where configuring the processor to collect journal event data includes configuring the processor to automatically record events at different locations when the locations are a specified distance apart, at specified time intervals, when a threshold number of events occur, or when the mobile device is located at a specific location.

5. The method of claim 4, where storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in the database includes storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in association with the location information.

6. The method of claim 5, where retrieving the requested journal event data from the database includes retrieving the requested journal event data in response to at least one of a specified location or a specified time, the specified location and specified time being associated with the request.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising associating a point of interest with the event, the point of interest being located within a threshold distance of the location.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising personalizing the database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving annotation information to annotate the journal event data; and

annotating the journal event data using the annotation information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising aggregating events logged at different locations and times when the different locations are located within a specified distance to each other.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising associating a marker with the aggregated events, the marker being configured to receive an input selecting the aggregated events.

12. The method of claim 1, where providing the journal event data for display includes providing for display one or more events in association with a location upon a user selection of the location.

13. A computer program product stored on a mobile device and configured to cause the mobile device to perform operations comprising:

configuring a processor of the mobile device to collect journal event data over a time span;

storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in a database;

receiving a request for journal event data;

responsive to the request, retrieving the requested journal event data from the database; and

providing the journal event data for display on the mobile device.

14. The product of claim 13, where configuring the processor to collect journal event data includes configuring the processor to automatically collect at least one of network connection event data, radio broadcast event data, power event data, accessory attachment event data, communication event data, web browsing event data, transaction event data, and download event data.

15. The product of claim 14, where configuring the processor to collect journal event data includes configuring the processor to automatically record a timestamp and location information of each event, the timestamp corresponding to a time the event occurred, the location information corresponding to a location at which the event occurred.

16. The product of claim 15, where storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in the database includes storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in association with the location information.

17. The product of claim 16, where retrieving the requested journal event data from the database includes retrieving the requested journal event data in response to at least one of a specified location or a specified time, the specified location and specified time being associated with the request.

18. The product of claim 16, the operations further comprising associating a point of interest with the event, the point of interest being located within a threshold distance of the location.

19. A system implemented on a mobile device comprising:

an interface;

a database;

a processor coupled to the interface and the database, the processor configured for;

automatically collecting journal event data through the mobile device over a time span;

storing the journal event data and corresponding timestamps in the database;

receiving a request for journal event data through the interface;

responsive to the request, retrieving the requested journal event data from the database; and

providing the journal event data for display on the mobile device.

20. The system of claim 19, where the processor is configured to automatically collect at least one of network connection event data, radio broadcast event data, power event data, accessory attachment event data, communication event data, web browsing event data, transaction event data, and download event data.

21. The system of claim 19, where the processor automatically collects the journal event data at different locations and times when the different locations are located within a specified distance to each other, when the locations are a specified distance apart, at specified time intervals, when a threshold number of events occur, or when the mobile device is located at a specific location.