System and method for providing a dynamic expanded timeline

• US 8,232,997 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Schorr, Janet L., Gilbert, Brent, Iverson, Mark Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Amini, Javid A
• Application Number:
  US13/312,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20120079403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

Generating a child timeline on a drawing sheet of a diagramming program such that the child timeline is dynamically linked to a parent timeline. An automated method allows for the automatic placing of information on the child timeline that was on the parent timeline when the child timeline is created. Parent and child timelines can be modified and a child timeline can be automatically updated when changes are made to the parent timeline and these changes affect the time interval corresponding to the child timeline.

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for identifying a portion of a parent timeline to display as a child timeline that is an expanded view of that portion of the parent timeline, the method comprising:

displaying a parent timeline that includes indications of events;

receiving an indication to overlay the parent timeline with an expanded timeline shape with one or more manipulatable handles;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying the expanded timeline shape to overlay a portion of the parent timeline;

receiving a manipulation of a handle;

in response to receiving the manipulation of the handle, adjusting the length of the displayed expanded timeline shape;

displaying a child timeline that is an expansion of the portion of the parent timeline overlaid by the expanded timeline shape, the child timeline including indications of events not displayed on the parent timeline, the child timeline and the parent timeline being displayed simultaneously;

receiving an indication to overlay the child timeline with a second expanded timeline shape with one or more manipulatable handles;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying the second expanded timeline shape to overlay a portion of the child timeline;

receiving a manipulation of a handle of the second expanded timeline shape;

in response to receiving the manipulation of the handle of the second expanded timeline shape, adjusting the length of the displayed second expanded timeline shape; and

displaying a grandchild timeline that is an expansion of the portion of the child timeline overlaid by the second expanded timeline shape.

2. A method in a computer system for identifying a portion of a parent timeline to display as a child timeline that is an expanded view of that portion of the parent timeline, the method comprising:

displaying a parent timeline that includes indications of events;

receiving an indication to overlay the parent timeline with an expanded timeline shape with one or more manipulatable handles;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying the expanded timeline shape to overlay a portion of the parent timeline;

receiving a manipulation of a handle;

in response to receiving the manipulation of the handle, adjusting the length of the displayed expanded timeline shape;

displaying a child timeline that is an expansion of the portion of the parent timeline overlaid by the expanded timeline shape, the child timeline including indications of events not displayed on the parent timeline, the child timeline and the parent timeline being displayed simultaneously;

receiving a second manipulation of a handle; and

in response to receiving the second manipulation of the handle,

adjusting the length of the displayed expanded timeline shape; and

adjusting the child timeline to represent the time corresponding to the adjusted length of the displayed expanded timeline.

3. The method of claim 2 including updating an event of the parent timeline within a time interval corresponding to the child timeline, automatically updating the child timeline.

4. The method of claim 2 including upon updating an event of the child timeline, automatically updating the parent timeline.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein one of the manipulatable handles is located at each end of the expanded timeline shape.

6. The method of claim 2 including displaying lines to connect ends of the expanded timeline shape to ends of the child timeline.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein events are milestones of a project.

8. A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions for controlling a computer system to display a child timeline that is an expanded view of a portion of a parent timeline, by a method comprising:

displaying the parent timeline;

receiving an indication to overlay the parent timeline with an expanded timeline shape;

in response to receiving the indication, displaying the expanded timeline shape to overlay a portion of the parent timeline;

receiving a manipulation of the expanded timeline shape;

in response to receiving the manipulation of the expanded timeline shape, adjusting the length of the displayed expanded timeline shape; and

displaying a child timeline that is an expansion of the portion of the parent timeline overlaid by the adjusted expanded timeline shape, the child timeline and the parent timeline being displayed simultaneously

wherein the displayed parent timeline and the displayed child timeline display include indications of events, the displayed child timeline including an indication of an event that is not included on the displayed parent timeline.

9. The computer-readable storage device of claim 8 wherein the expanded timeline shape includes a manipulatable handle.

10. The computer-readable storage device of claim 8 including upon updating an event of the parent timeline within a time interval corresponding to the child timeline, automatically updating the child timeline.

11. The computer-readable storage device of claim 8 including upon updating an event of the child timeline, automatically updating the parent timeline.

12. The computer-readable storage device of claim 8 wherein a handle is located at each end of the expanded timeline shape.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 8 including displaying lines to connect ends expanded timeline shape to ends of the child timeline.

14. A computer system for displaying a child timeline that is an expanded view of a portion of a parent timeline, comprising:

a memory storing computer-executable instructions of;

a component that displays the parent timeline;

a component that displays an expanded timeline shape to overlay a portion of the parent timeline;

a component that adjusts the length of the displayed expanded timeline shape based on user input; and

a component that displays a child timeline that is an expansion of the portion of the parent timeline overlaid by the adjusted expanded timeline shape, the child timeline and the parent timeline being displayed simultaneously

wherein the displayed parent timeline and the displayed child timeline display include indications of events, the displayed child timeline including an indication of an event that is not included on the displayed parent timeline; and

a processor that executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory.

15. The computer system of claim 14 wherein the expanded timeline shape includes a manipulatable handle for adjusting the length of the expanded timeline shape.

16. The computer system of 14 including a component that, upon updating an event of the parent timeline within a time interval corresponding to the child timeline, updates the child timeline.

17. The computer system of 14 including a component that upon updating an event of the child timeline, updates the parent timeline.