CALENDAR BASED TASK AND TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20120239451A1
• Filed: 03/15/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dan Caligor
• Original Assignee: Dan Caligor
• Inventors: Caligor, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 9,659,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A software solution for managing, sorting and ranking lists of tasks and integrating task and time management, such that tasks can be automatically or manually assigned to specified time blocks. Users can monitor the relationship between volume of tasks and available time in which to complete them. The solution and method can be applied to individual task lists as well as to the management of time across multiple projects and can be employed either by individuals or by collaborative groups. The solution and method employ multiple filters, sorts and handling rules to embody users'"'"' personal planning preferences. It can be used to manage task lists both with and without employing a scheduling component. The solution can interoperate with existing computer- and web-based calendar software and can use third-party calendar clients to display its output and to accept input from users.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for organizing task records comprising:

storing a superset of said task records on a database, wherein said task records include task attributes;

defining queries, said queries parsing said task records in said superset based on said task attributes;

configuring at least one processor(s) to perform steps of;

producing a first task subset, said first task subset including said tasks where said task attributes fulfill said queries; and

producing a first remainder task subset, said first remainder task subset including all said task records where said task attributes do not fulfill said queries.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first task subset is arranged into a sequence based on said task attributes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said queries are applied at a time, said time including regular intervals, specific times and upon occurrence of an event.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said queries are applied to said first remainder task subset producing a second task subset and a second remainder task subset.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said queries can be stored, recalled, modified and deleted.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more said queries can be stored, recalled, modified and deleted as a unified sequence.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising said queries parsing said task records based on exogenous factors, said exogenous factors including any attribute not encoded in said database, time of day, day of week, and date, geographic information and location information, weather conditions, existence of news alerts and existence of third party alerts and economic indicators.

8. A computer implemented method of organizing records representing tasks and task attributes of said tasks comprising:

configuring at least one processor(s) to perform steps of;

defining handling rules, said handling rules being if-then statements;

applying said handling rules to said task records, said handling rules being logical tests performed on said task attributes; and

undertaking actions based on the outcome of said logical tests.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said action includes associating said task with a time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein time includes calendar time slot, calendar event, and user defined available time.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said action includes associating said task with a list.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said action includes modifying said task attributes.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said action includes creating, modifying, deleting a time.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said action includes creating, modifying, deleting a list.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising defining restrictions on a time such that said tasks which otherwise might qualify for inclusion in said time are excluded based on said task attributes.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing a user to override placement of a Task into a time.

17. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing a user to override an exclusion of said task from a time.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising producing a catchall containing a compilation of all said tasks intended for scheduling in a specific hour, day, week or other period but not placed within a time.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein said logical tests consider exogenous factors.

20. A method of using a calendar event record as a container to convey non-event information between applications comprising:

creating said calendar event record in a first application;

placing said non-event information into said calendar event record in a first application;

transmitting the calendar event record to a second application; and

presenting said non-event information in the second application.

21. A method of claim 20, wherein said non-event information includes payload material.

22. A method of claim 20, wherein said non-event information is conveyed by context of said creation of the calendar event file.

23. A method of claim 20, wherein said non-event information is conveyed by context of modification of the calendar event file.

24. A method of claim 20, wherein said presenting includes displaying said non-event information in said second application.

25. A method of claim 20, wherein said presenting includes retrieving and processing said non-event information in said second application.

26. A computer implemented method for creating custom task attributes, comprising:

defining characteristics of said custom task attributes;

defining a range of values of said custom task attributes;

modifying a task database to accommodate said characteristics and said range of values; and

enabling application of said custom task attributes to tasks, times, and handling rules over a user interface utilizing task attributes.

27. The method in claim 26, wherein said custom task attributes provide basis for inclusions into times, exclusions from times and handling rules.

28. The method in claim 26, wherein custom task attributes are calculated using user-defined formula referencing at least one said task attribute in a database.

29. The method in claim 26, wherein exogenous factors are used to calculate said range of values.