US6034683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time line for desktop metaphor
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
•
Filing: 1997-06-19
•
Granted: 2000-03-07
•
Expires: 2017-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An interface for scheduling temporal events is provided in the form of a time line associated with a desktop metaphor. The interface comprises a clock representation in any of several formats that is associated with a display, where the clock has a first display configuration that is integrated into an electronic desktop in a seamless and consistent fashion, and that represents a most minimized state of the scheduling interface. The clock also has one or more additional display configurations that represent expanded states to provide a time line representation of such items scheduled events, related documentation, participant identity, and resource management tools.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven F. Mansour
- 👤 German W. Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/963
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An interface for scheduling, comprising: a clock associated with a display, said clock having a first display configuration representing a most minimized state of said scheduling interface; said clock having at least a second display configuration representing an expanded state to provide a time line; wherein moving a cursor over any particular event line displays event information for that event in the foreground; and wherein said time line itself moves in accordance with the passage of time to present current time in a most prominent location along said time line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An interface for scheduling, comprising: a clock associated with a display, said clock having a first display configuration representing a most minimized state of said scheduling interface; said clock having at least a second display configuration representing an expanded state to provide a time line; wherein moving a cursor over any particular event line displays event information for that event in the foreground; and wherein said time line itself moves in accordance with the passage of time to present current time in a most prominent location along said time line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interface of claim 1, further comprising: an indicator on said time line that registers current time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface of claim 1, further comprising: highlighted bars that convey information about upcoming events.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interface of claim 3, wherein additional information associated with a particular event may be entered for display in the foreground when the time for an upcoming event arrives.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein the complete schedule for a day can be opened, revealing detail information for all meetings in that time frame, if said user inquires about all the events for said day.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein a photograph of each attendee of a meeting is displayed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein a time interval is selected, creating a new event by selecting a "from" time and a "to" time by using a selection marquee.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein a click on said time line selects a particular time point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein schedules of various individuals are compared side-by-side to identify scheduling conflicts when setting up meetings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein a second time line is provided that shows a time zone offset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein said time line displays schedule information for a current day by default; and wherein schedule information for any preceding or subsequent day can be displayed by clicking on a header in said time line which represents said preceding or subsequent day.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein month and year displays are provided, wherein weeks and months are shown respectively instead of days.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein said time line provides means for date stamping an event or an associated document upon any of creation and modification, and optionally for identifying said event or document creator and modifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein said time line is readily built into any GUI in any of a horizontal or vertical configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interface of claim 1, wherein said time line comprises one or more events that, when selected, provide detailed information in one or more information fields.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface of claim 1, further comprising: at least one encapsulation that represents resources which can be applied to said time line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interface of claim 16, said encapsulation including one or more of an electronic address; an on-line calendar; a facsimile number; a voice number; or a surface mail address.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The interface of claim 16, wherein said at least one encapsulation is dragged and dropped onto said time line to create a time based activity involving said at least one encapsulation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interface of claim 16, wherein said encapsulation comprises a document resource.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interface of claim 16, wherein people and resource encapsulations interact with a mail user interface to forward or receive messages.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5129057A
Cited
US5307086A
Cited
US5365360A
Cited
US5428736A
Cited
US5323314A
Cited
US5491626A
Cited
US5500938A
Cited
US5528745A
Cited
US5664063A
Cited
US5874965A
Cited
US5748927A
Cited
US5877759A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |