US6169534B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Graphical user interface for customer information management
Assignee: LATERN TECHNOLOGY Corp
•
Filing: 1997-06-26
•
Granted: 2001-01-02
•
Expires: 2017-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for displaying information regarding an event are provided. The method and apparatus meets objectives of increasing sales and marketing efficiency and efficiency of technical and customer support by providing a multi-dimensional display of event information to a user. As such, a radar screen-like presentation of data is generated that allows the user to see a visual representation of the best prospective opportunities based on the strategic business importance of an event. The method and apparatus functions by determining at least one event to be displayed and generating for graphical display an event object and label corresponding to the event. The radial location of the event object on the display is related to the stage of the particular corresponding event. The location of the event object on the display can also be indicative of other characteristics of the corresponding event. Each event object has variable size, color, and shape, all of which are indicative of characteristics of the corresponding event. In addition, a displayed event object may have an object tail which is indicative of characteristics of the corresponding event. The radar screen-like display may be comprised of sectors, and the location of an event object in a particular sector is indicative of a characteristic of the corresponding event. Each event object provides an electronic link to detailed information about the corresponding event.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Raffel
- 👤 Robert M. Schulman
- 👤 Dixie Ellen Baker
- 👤 Robert E. Currie
- 👤 Christine Currie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 120
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for displaying information regarding at least one event, comprising the steps of: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for displaying information regarding at least one event, comprising the steps of: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of stages are temporally related.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event reflects a sales deal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event reflects a service to be performed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event reflects a product defect.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event reflects a call by a representative.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said corresponding event is a sales deal, said central point representative of completion, the distance the event object is displayed from the central point indicative of time to completion of the deal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the distance is a number of predefined stages away from completion of the deal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the distance is an estimated time period away from the completion of the deal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the distance is a time a call has been open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the distance is a time a defect issue has been open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of a measure of importance of said corresponding event.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said measure of importance of said event is the amount of money involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said measure of importance is determined by comparing the expected value of events, said expected value of an event being equal to the probability of completing an event multiplied by the monetary value of the event.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said corresponding event is a sales deal, and wherein said measure of importance is the monetary value of said sales deal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said measure of importance is the number of interactions related to an event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said measure of importance is the relative magnitude of a problem corresponding to an event.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of the personnel involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object represents a level of priority of said corresponding event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object represents the geographical area in which said corresponding event is located.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object represents the strategic importance of said corresponding event.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object represents a product line that is the subject of said corresponding event.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object indicates the corresponding event that has the highest probability of completion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object indicates the probability of completion of said corresponding event.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object indicates the stage of an event.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object indicates a level of severity of an issue associated with said corresponding event.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the color of said event object is red for an event having a highest level of severity with regards to a particular characteristic, wherein the color of said event object is blue for an event having a medium level of severity with regards to the particular characteristic, wherein the color of said event object is yellow for an event having a lowest level of severity with regards to the particular characteristic.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of the personnel involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object represents a level of priority of said corresponding event.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object represents the geographical area in which said corresponding event is located.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object represents the strategic importance of said corresponding event.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object represents the product line that is the subject of said corresponding event.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object indicates the corresponding event that has the highest probability of completion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object indicates the probability of completion of said corresponding event.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object indicates the stage of an event.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object indicates a level of severity of an issue associated with said corresponding event.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the shape of said event object represents a type of event.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said displayed event object further comprises an object tail, the length of said object tail indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the length of said object tail represents a speed at which said corresponding event is progressing or regressing relative to completion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the length of said object tail represents a speed at which said corresponding event is progressing or regressing relative to resolution.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the direction of said object tail is indicative of another characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein the direction of said object tail represents the progression or regression of the corresponding event relative to completion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said display is divided into a plurality of sectors, the location of said event object in a particular sector representative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located identifies the geographical area in which said corresponding event is located.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located identifies the personnel involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located represents a level of priority of said corresponding event.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located represents the product line that is the subject of said corresponding event.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located indicates the probability of completion of said corresponding event.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located indicates the stage of an event.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located indicates a level of severity of an issue associated with said corresponding event.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 46 , wherein said sector in which said event object is located represents a type of event.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said event object is labeled.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said event object provides an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said corresponding event.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 57 , wherein an event object has a hollow center, said hollow center indicative of a failed event.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer system comprising: a display device; a processor coupled to said display device, said processor, configured to determine said at least one event to be displayed; configured to generate for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; configured to display said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer system comprising: a display device; a processor coupled to said display device, said processor, configured to determine said at least one event to be displayed; configured to generate for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; configured to display said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein the plurality of stages are temporally related.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein an event is a sales deal, said central point representative of completion, the distance the event object is displayed from the central point indicative of time to completion of the deal.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of a measure of importance of said corresponding event.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 63 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of the personnel involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 63 , wherein the color of said event object represents a level of priority of said corresponding event.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 66 , wherein the shape of said event object represents the geographical area in which said corresponding event is located.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 66 , wherein the shape of said event object represents the product line that is the subject of said corresponding event.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 66 , wherein the shape of said event object indicates the corresponding event that has the highest probability of completion.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein said displayed event object further comprises an object tail, the length of said object tail indicative at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 71 , wherein the direction of said object tail is indicative of another characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein said display is divided into a plurality of sectors, the location of said event object in a particular sector representative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein said event object is labeled, and wherein said event object provides an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said corresponding event.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system of claim 59 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for presenting information, comprising: at least one event; an event object corresponding to said at least one event; a display for presentation of said event object a determined distance from a specific point on said display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said specific point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for presenting information, comprising: at least one event; an event object corresponding to said at least one event; a display for presentation of said event object a determined distance from a specific point on said display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said specific point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein said event object is displayed in a graphical manner comprising a plurality of display sectors.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 76 , providing an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said event.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 76 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for displaying information regarding at least one event comprising: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; and displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for displaying information regarding at least one event comprising: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; and displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a central point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said central point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein said plurality of stages are temporally related.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein said event object is displayed in a graphical manner comprising a plurality of display sectors.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , providing an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said corresponding event.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable medium of claim 84 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for displaying information regarding at least one event, comprising the steps of: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a reference point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said reference point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for displaying information regarding at least one event, comprising the steps of: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a reference point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said reference point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein the plurality of stages are temporally related.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein said corresponding event is a sales deal, said reference point representative of completion, the distance the event object is displayed from the reference point indicative of time to completion of the deal.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 95 , wherein the distance is a number of predefined stages away from completion of the deal.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of a measure of importance of said corresponding event.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 97 , wherein said measure of importance of said event is the amount of money involved in said corresponding event.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein said displayed event object further comprises an object tail, the length of said object tail indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein said display is divided into a plurality of sectors, the location of said event object in a particular sector representative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein said event object provides an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said corresponding event.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 93 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for displaying information regarding at least one event comprising: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; and displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a reference point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said reference point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for displaying information regarding at least one event comprising: determining said at least one event to be displayed; generating for display an event object corresponding to said at least one event; and displaying said corresponding event object a determined distance from a reference point on the display, wherein said determined distance of said event object represents a related stage of a plurality of stages of said event, said reference point representing a final stage of the plurality of stages of the event.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein said plurality of stages are temporally related.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein the size of said event object is indicative of characteristics at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein the shape of said event object is indicative of characteristics at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein the color of said event object is indicative of characteristics at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein said at least one event is displayed as a corresponding animated event object, said animation of said corresponding event object showing the progression and regression of said corresponding event over a specified period of time.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein said event object is displayed in a graphical manner comprising a plurality of display sectors.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , providing an electronic link to a detail page, said detail page containing information relating to said corresponding event.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable medium of claim 106 , wherein the fill pattern of said event object is indicative of characteristics at least one characteristic of said corresponding event.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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