Information sharing system for personal electronic time management systems

• US 6,396,512 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1999
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Nickerson, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/384,322
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10,200,201,203 709/217,223,204 345/751,753
• US Class Current: 715/751
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method for sharing action information between a plurality of personal electronic time management systems through a multi-user personal computer and a second personal computer is disclosed. The method involving first entering into the personal time management system time information for an action and entering into the personal time management system action description information for the time entered. Then, dynamically entering into the personal time management system circle of interest member information from a list of predetermined circle of interest members, the circle of interest member information designating a breadth of sharing of the action such each action previously entered can be programmed dynamically to have a circle of interest member information which is composed of any combination of the predetermined circle of interest members. Dynamically entering into the personal time management system designation information from a list of predetermined designations, the designation information designating a breadth of sharing of the action such each action previously entered can be programmed dynamically to have a designation information which is composed of any combination of the predetermined designations, the designation information enabling the user to control what information is shared depending on what type of device is in communication with the personal electronic time management system during downloading.

Claims

1. A method for sharing action information between a plurality of personal electronic time management systems through a multi-user personal computer and a second personal computer, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering into the personal time management system time information for an action;

(b) entering into the personal time management system action description information for the time entered in said step (a);

(c) dynamically entering into the personal time management system circle of interest member information from a list of predetermined circle of interest members, the circle of interest member information designating a breadth of sharing of the action such each action entered in said steps (a) and (b) can be programmed dynamically to have a circle of interest member information which is composed of any combination of the predetermined circle of interest members;

(d) dynamically entering into the personal time management system designation information from a list of predetermined designations, the designation information designating a breadth of sharing of the action such each action entered in said steps (a) and (b) can be programmed dynamically to have a designation information which is composed of any combination of the predetermined designations, the designation information enabling the user to control what information is shared depending on what type of device is in communication with the personal electronic time management system during downloading;

(e) downloading only the entered action information having associated therewith from the personal time management system designation information corresponding to the multi-user personal computer;

(f) downloading only the entered action information having associated therewith from the personal time management system designation information corresponding to the second personal computer;

(g) distributing download action information to a proper database residing on the multi-user personal computer and storing the action information in the proper database, the proper database being associated with at least one of the circle of interest member attached with the action information;

(h) distributing download action information to a proper database residing on the multi-user personal computer and storing the action information in the proper database, the proper database being associated with at least one of the circle of interest member attached with the action information; and

(i) uploading the action information in a database to a proper personal time management system, the proper personal time management system being associated with the database.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (c) dynamically enters the circle of interest member information through a drop down menu which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined circle of interest members.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (c) dynamically enters the circle of interest member information through an activatable area on a display device such that activation of the activatable area causes an entry window to launch which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined circle of interest members or to select one or more personal groups, each personal group having preselected circle of interest members associated therewith.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (c) dynamically enters the circle of interest member information through an activatable area on a display device such that activation of the activatable area causes an entry window to launch which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined circle of interest members and one or more personal groups, each personal group having preselected circle of interest members associated therewith.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (d) dynamically enters the designation information through a drop down menu which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined designations.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (d) dynamically enters the designation information through an activatable area on a display device such that activation of the activatable area causes an entry window to launch which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined designations or to select one or more designation groups, each designation group having preselected designations associated therewith.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step (d) dynamically enters the designation information through an activatable area on a display device such that activation of the activatable area causes an entry window to launch which enables a user to select any combination of predetermined designations and one or more designation groups, each designation group having preselected designations associated therewith.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action is a calendar event.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action is a to do item.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action is a memo.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action is a telephone number.