Personal information manager information entry allowing for intermingling of items belonging to different categories within a single unified view

• US 5,873,108 A
• Filed: 10/19/1996
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jai Goyal, Jean Tze-Yin Pang Goyal
• Original Assignee: FUGA Corporation
• Inventors: Goyal, Jean Tze-Yin Pang, Goyal, Jai
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US08/728,178
• Time in Patent Office: 850 Days
• Field of Search: 395/766, 395/767, 395/768, 395/773, 395/792, 395/793, 395/796, 395/804, 395/339, 395/340, 395/347, 395/348, 395/349, 395/350, 345/146, 345/173, 345/339, 345/340, 345/345, 345/347, 345/348, 345/349, 345/350, 707/505, 707/506, 707/507, 707/512, 707/530, 707/531, 707/534, 707/541
• US Class Current: 715/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A personal information manager is based on a different paradigm than the conventional paper/pencil paradigm, resulting in a personal information manager that is dramatically simpler and easier to use. The personal information manager is based on what may be referred to as a tag paradigm, which allows different types of information to be entered from a single screen display in a consistent manner, and likewise allows different types of information to be retrieved from a single screen display in a consistent manner. The operational modes characteristic of prior art personal information managers are largely eliminated, greatly increasing ease of use.

Claims

1. A user interface method for an electronic daily planner/organizer in which a user classifies an information item into a category selected from a group of categories of information consisting of appointments, expense items, log items, to-do items and items of a user-definable type, and in which information items of different categories are entered line-upon-line, regardless of category, within a single unified view corresponding to a single day, the single unified view presenting a series of lines each having multiple data fields including a time data field, a tag data field and a text data field, wherein data entered within the text data field is not required to be of a predefined category, the method comprising the steps of:

a user classifying a first piece of information into one of the group of categories of information;

within a line, entering for the first piece of information one of a plurality of tags corresponding to said one of the plurality of categories of information; and

entering the first piece of information within the line;

storing the tag for the first piece of information along with the first piece of information;

the user classifying a second piece of information into one of the group of categories of information;

within a subsequent line, entering for the second piece of information one of a plurality of tags corresponding to said one of the plurality of categories of information; and

entering the second piece of information within the line;

storing the tag for the second piece of information along with the second piece of information;

wherein, when the user classifies the second piece of information into a same one of the plurality of categories of information as the first piece of information, the user enters a tag for the second piece of information that is the same as the tag for the first piece of information, an identical tag entry being used each time a piece of information of a particular category is entered;

wherein, when the user classifies the second piece of information into a different one of the plurality of categories of information than the first piece of information, the user enters a tag for the second piece of information that is different than the tag for the first piece of information; and

in response to a user query specifying one or more tags, retrieving like pieces of information based at least in part on said tags.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each line further includes a time field, said method comprising the further step of:

prior to inputting at least one of said first tag entry and said second tag entry, said user inputting a time entry relating to a corresponding one of said first text entry and said second text entry.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of:

displaying said lines in ascending time order according to time entries, if any, within respective time fields of said groups of information fields.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising the further steps of:

said user entering a search command;

said user specifying at least one of a range of times, a desired tag, and a desired text string; and

retrieving and displaying a plurality of said groups of information fields in which a time in each time field is within said range of times, if specified, and a tag in each tag field is the same as said desired tag, if specified, and text in each text field is the same as same text string, if specified.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each line further includes a status field, said method comprising the further steps of:

said user inputting in a status field a status entry relating to a corresponding text entry; and

within said status field, displaying a symbol indicating to said user that said corresponding text entry does not require further action.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting an information field within including a time field having a time entry;

said user entering a reminder command;

said user specifying a time preceding said time entry; and

producing one of a visible indication and an audible indication at said time.

7. The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of:

said user entering a calculator command;

displaying a calculator display on said display screen; and

performing calculations and displaying calculation results in response to inputs from said user.

8. The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting an information field within a line;

said user entering a notation command;

said user entering further text relating to a text entry within a text field of said line;

storing said further text; and

when said line is displayed, displaying a visible indication that said further text has been entered.

9. The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting an information field within a line to be repeated, said line including a time field having a time entry;

said user entering a repeat command;

said user specifying a later time by specifying a time interval at least one day in length; and

at said later time, displaying a line having as a time entry said later time and having tag and text entries identical to tag and text entries of said line to be repeated.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein said input device is a touch screen, said method comprising the further step of:

displaying in a sub-area of aid first screen display an array of times for a single day, prompting said user to select a block of time within said day;

wherein the step of said user inputting a time entry comprises touching said touch screen at a first point corresponding to a beginning time and dragging to a second point corresponding to an ending time.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising the further step of:

immediately following said user inputting a time entry, displaying in said sub-area of said first screen display a collection of buttons, each button corresponding to a different tag entry;

wherein the step of inputting a tag entry comprises touching said touch screen within one of said buttons.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising the further step of:

immediately following said user inputting a particular tag entry, displaying in said sub-area of said first screen display a list including a plurality of text entries for said particular tag entry;

wherein, if a desired text entry is listed in said list, the step of inputting a text entry comprises touching said touch screen within said list.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising the further steps of:

displaying in said list of text entries for said particular tag entry a field corresponding to a new text entry; and

displaying a keyboard with different touch areas corresponding to various alphanumeric characters;

wherein, if a desired text entry is not listed in said list, the step of inputting a text entry comprises touching a sequence of said touch areas corresponding to various alphanumeric characters.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising the further steps of:

displaying as part of said first screen display a calendar month including text identifying a month and a year of said calendar month;

said user selecting a day within said calendar month;

displaying lines; and

said user, within said line, inputting a tag entry specifying a particular type of information, and inputting a text entry describing an information item of said particular type.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting a day within said calendar month; and

retrieving and displaying lines entered at a previous time when said day within said calendar month was selected.

16. The method of claim 14, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting part of said text identifying a month and a year of said calendar month;

displaying a list of months and years;

said user selecting at least one of a month and a year from said list of months and years; and

displaying as said calendar month a selected month within a selected year.

17. The method of claim 14, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting from a display of said calendar month a plurality of days within a week;

retrieving said beginning time and said ending time, if any, from lines entered at a previous time when a day within said week was selected; and

displaying said week, indicating said beginning time and said ending time, if any, from said lines.

18. The method of claim 4, comprising the further steps of:

displaying as part of said first screen display first graphic information representative of a telephone list facility;

said user selecting said telephone list facility by touching or pointing to said first graphic information; and

displaying a second screen display having a second group of information fields including a name field and at least one of the following information fields;

address, zip code, telephone number, fax number, electronic mail address, employer, and notes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said second screen display includes a keyboard with different touch areas corresponding to various alphanumeric characters and includes a Find button, said method comprising the further steps of:

said user inputting specified information in at least one of said information fields by touching a sequence of said touch areas corresponding to various alphanumeric characters;

said user selecting said Find button; and

retrieving and displaying a group of information fields in which said specified information appears.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising the further steps of:

displaying as part of said second screen display second graphic information representative of a calendar/datebook facility;

said user selecting said calendar/datebook facility by touching or pointing to said second graphic information; and

displaying said first screen display.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting within said first screen display a name within a text field to said lines;

said user selecting said first graphic information representative of said telephone list facility;

retrieving a second line having said name in a name field thereof.

22. The method of claim 19, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting within said second screen display a name within said name field;

said user selecting said second graphic information representing said calendar/datebook facility;

displaying said first screen display;

said user entering a search command;

displaying said name within a name field associated with said search command; and

retrieving and displaying a plurality of said lines in which text in each text field includes said name.

23. The method of claim 18, comprising the further steps of:

displaying as part of said first screen display third graphic information representative of a general list facility;

said user selecting said general list facility by touching or pointing to said third graphic information; and

displaying a third screen display having a list of lists.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising the further steps of:

said user selecting a list from said list of lists; and

displaying a fourth screen display having a list of items.

25. A method of entering personal information items into a personal information manager, comprising the steps of:

entering and displaying within a single unified view personal information items belonging to a plurality of different categories of personal information items such that personal information items belonging to different categories are intermingled within said single unified view; and

entering and displaying tags for a plurality of said personal information items, enabling retrieval of said personal information items by category, each tag corresponding to a single personal information item and being displayed so as to be visually associated with the single personal information item;

wherein personal information items belonging to the same category are tagged with the same tag, said categories including a plurality of the following;

APPOINTMENTS, EXPENSE ITEMS, LOG ITEMS, TO-DO ITEMS AND ITEMS OF A USER-DEFINABLE TYPE.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said single unified view corresponds to a predetermined period of time.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said predetermined period of time is a single day.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said personal information items are entered into fields not predefined to receive data of a certain category.

29. A method of entering personal information items into a personal information manager, comprising the steps of:

entering and displaying within a single unified view personal information items belonging to a plurality of different categories of personal information items such that personal information items belonging to different categories are intermingled within said single unified view; and

entering and displaying tags for a plurality of said personal information items, enabling retrieval of said personal information items by category, each tag corresponding to a single personal information item and being displayed so as to be visually associated with the single personal information item;

wherein personal information items belonging to the same category are tagged with the same tag, said categories including LOG ITEMS and a least one of the following;

APPOINTMENTS, EXPENSE ITEMS, TO-DO ITEMS AND ITEMS OF A USER-DEFINABLE TYPE.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said personal information items are entered into fields not predefined to receive data of a certain category.

31. A method of entering personal information items into a personal information manager, comprising the steps of:

entering and displaying within a single unified view personal information items belonging to a plurality of different categories of personal information items such that personal information items belonging to different categories are intermingled within said single unified view; and

entering and displaying tags for a plurality of said personal information items, enabling retrieval of said personal information items by category, each tag corresponding to a single personal information item and being displayed so as to be visually associated with the single personal information item;

wherein personal information items belonging to the same category are tagged with the same tag, said categories including ITEMS OF A USER-DEFINABLE TYPE and at least one of the following;

APPOINTMENTS, EXPENSE ITEMS LOG ITEMS AND TO-DO ITEMS.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said personal information items are entered into fields not predefined to receive data of a certain category.