JPH05233634A - Method for visually displaying organization schedule table and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily know an individual schedule and the situation of the idle time of conference, etc., by graphically displaying the event of each member of an organization corresponding to the time of an event on the display of a data processing system. CONSTITUTION: A data processing system 40 is provided with CPU 44, a memory 46 and a processor 42. The processor 42 is connected with a storage device consisting of a hard disk storage device 48 and a disk device 50 to receive a diskette 52 with a recorded computer program code. The system 40 is provided with a mouse 54 and a keyboard 56 for user input to the processor 42 and a user interface such as a display 58 displaying visual data to a user, as the whole organization schedule is shown like this, the members of the organization easily judge whether there is time convenient for each other by means of the visual group schedule table in order to make the schedule of a conference, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to computer programs, and more particularly to a method of visually presenting a group calendar.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional schedules are usually
Includes time scale and event data entry area. This time scale and input event data is generally in text format. These time scales and input event data are typically not electronically interconnected, so that one activity has little or no effect on another. For example, if a user changes the start time of an event in that event region, there is no correspondence to that time scale.

In an object-oriented / direct manipulation system, event information is entered by selecting an icon and opening a window. Then start time, end time,
Information such as a general description of the event is entered in that window. For example, information such as time and a brief description of the event would be displayed as text in the event area. If multiple events exist, they should be listed in order with earliest start time. There is no cross-reference to the time scale and no indication of event duplication.

There is some difficulty in visualizing free time or duplication when a user tries to determine if they can convene some particular individuals. In addition, a user may often have to search multiple calendars in text format to find free time, or to request a free time search by text. Such methods are time consuming and do not provide a graphical display. Therefore, there is a need for a method to visually represent a group calendar.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a visual group calendar that significantly improves the problems in prior art group calendars. The present invention enables the display of the organizational calendar using a graphical format rather than a text format.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for visually displaying an organizational calendar. Events are displayed graphically for each member of the organization that corresponds to the time of the event. Graphically displaying an event would involve the placement of graphic symbols that indicate the start and end times of each event adjacent to a time frame. In one example, a first axis and a second axis are generated. The reference of each member of the organization is
Aligned along one of those axes, the time indications are aligned along the other axis. In one example, the names of each member of the organization are arranged along the horizontal axis and the time bar is along the vertical axis. The graphic symbol can include a straight line running from the start time to the end time and is placed under the name of the applicable member. Thus, the organization will have a graphical representation of the calendar of all its members presented in an easily understandable visual format.

[0007]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1 will be described. An example of an organizational chart used in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by reference numeral 10. The organization chart 10 is, for example, a manager (B
ob) 12, and three subordinates, John 14,
Includes Harry 16 and Sue 18. Although not shown, it should be understood that organizational chart 10 is only one example of an organization, and the present invention is equally applicable to more complex organizations.

Next, FIG. 2 will be described. The visual group calendar of the organization of organization chart 10 of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 20. The visual group schedule 20 is displayed on the display screen of the data processing system (see FIG. 3). As shown, the itinerary 20 is shown with a first axis X and a second axis Y. For example, the first axis X is used to place the names of the members of the organization along it. Axis Y
May include a timetable having a preselected range of time divisions. For example, this timeline along axis Y can have one hour increments for normal workdays. Therefore, for example, the manager (Bob) 12, J
own 14, Harry 16 and Sue 18
Events (not shown) found in the timetable relating to each individual member are graphically represented by the instructions shown in the timetable 20. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the graphical representation comprises a straight line starting at the start time of an event and continuing to the end time of the event. By referring to the timetable on the second axis Y, the user can know what the schedule of each individual member is, and therefore the schedule of the organization.

In this way, the schedule of the entire organization is shown in one easy-to-understand display, and any free time is quickly identified. Visual Group Timetable 20
As a result, one would be able to determine if the members of organization 10 have a mutually convenient time to schedule a meeting or other event.
Within region 22, the user can indicate which organization's schedule to display. Area 22 may be populated therein or the organization name may be dragged therein.

Referring to FIG. A data processing system according to the present invention is indicated generally in block diagram form by the reference numeral 40. The system 40 has a processor 42 that includes a central processing unit (CPU) 44 and memory 46. The processor 42 includes a hard disk storage device 48 and a disk device 50 (the disk device 50 includes a floppy disk device, as shown, but it is understood that the disk device need not be a "floppy" disk device. ), An additional storage device is connected. Disk device 50 receives a diskette 52 having computer program code recorded thereon, which embodies the invention in system 40. System 40 includes user interface hardware such as, for example, a mouse 54 and a keyboard 56 to enable user input to processor 42, a display 58 to display visual data to a user. The system 40 may also include a printer 60.

Referring to FIG. A flowchart illustrating the present invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 70. After system initialization, calendar data is accessed,
The calendar window opens. At block 72, user input is monitored. User input at block 72 is Group View at decision block 74, Visual View at decision block 76, A at decision block 78.
It may include dd an Event, or Drag an Event of decision block 80.

At decision block 74, Group Vi
If ew is selected, the Group subroutine is called. The Group subroutine 75 is shown in detail in FIG. At decision block 84, it is determined if the group is already defined. If the group is defined, the subroutine 75 proceeds at block 86 with the procedure for retrieving data for the group. At block 88, the subroutine 75 fetches and initializes the memory for the group data. The group data is formatted for the current itinerary data in block 90, followed by updating the calendar window in the display buffer with the group itinerary data in block 92. At block 94, the display is updated with the refreshed display buffer. Subroutine 75 may then return to monitoring user input at block 72 (see FIG. 4).

At decision block 84, if the group is not defined, subroutine 75 proceeds at block 96 with the procedure for monitoring user input. At block 98, the group definition window is displayed. Decision block 10
At 0, the input is either keyed in from another source or dragged. If the input is not a key input at decision block 100, the input is dragged from another source at block 102. At block 104, the name is added to the group regardless of whether the name was dragged from another source at block 102 or keyed at decision block 100. At decision block 106, it is determined whether to end the group definition. If the response to decision block 106 is negative, the subroutine 75 returns to monitoring user input at block 96 to repeat the procedure described above. If the answer to decision block 106 is affirmative, then the subroutine 75 goes to block 86 to proceed with the procedure described above.

At decision block 76, the Visual Vi
If ew is selected, Visual subroutine 77
Is called. The Visual subroutine 77 is illustrated in detail by FIG. At block 110,
The memory for the visual display is fetched. At block 114, a pointer to the current view calendar data is set. At block 116, the duration of the current event is determined. A visual presentation of the event is generated at block 118, followed by a decision block 120 to determine if there are conflicting events. Decision block 12
If the response to 0 is affirmative, then at block 122 the presentation offset is determined. Regardless of the response of decision block 120, at block 124 the visual event is written to the visual display memory. Decision block 128
At, it is determined whether the final event has occurred. If the answer to decision block 128 is no, then the data pointer is updated at block 126 and subsequently returned at block 116 to determine the duration of the current event. If the response to decision block 128 is positive,
The visual display memory is written to the display buffer at block 130. The display is updated at block 130, after which subroutine 77 returns to monitoring user input at block 72 (see FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. Decision block 78
If the event is added (see FIG. 4), the ADD subroutine 79 is called. At block 140, dragging is initiated. At block 142, a visual representation of the start time is generated. At block 144, the visual event image is generated with the drag. At decision block 146, it is determined whether the drag is complete. Decision block 1
If the response at 46 is negative, the subroutine 79 returns to block 144. If the response to decision block 146 is affirmative, subroutine 79 returns to block 14
At step 8 the procedure for generating a visual representation of the end time is proceeded.
At block 150, a pop-up window is created and visual event data, start time and end time are inserted. At block 152, an event pop-up is displayed to enter other information. Subroutine 79 then returns to monitoring user input at block 72 (FIG. 4).
reference).

At decision block 80, Drag Event
Occurs, the Drag subroutine 81 is called. The DRAG subroutine 81 is illustrated in detail in FIG. At decision block 160, it is determined whether the event is duplicated. If the answer to decision block 160 is affirmative, then subroutine 81 proceeds at block 162 with the procedure for generating a visual representation. The event is block 1
64, followed by the event representation in block 16
Inputs are monitored until dropped at 6. Block 1
At 68, the current position in the itinerary is evaluated and new data values are determined. The event data is updated at block 170 and the display buffer for the event is updated at block 172. The display is updated at block 174 and then returns to block 72 (see FIG. 4).

If the response to decision block 160 is negative, subroutine 81 proceeds to decision block 176 to determine if the event is to be moved. If the event is moved, the subroutine 81 proceeds to block 166 as described above. If the response to decision block 176 is negative, the subroutine 81 proceeds to decision block 178 to determine if the event has changed. If the answer to decision block 178 is no, block 1
Another operation is performed at 80, followed by a return to block 72 (see FIG. 4). If the response to decision block 178 is affirmative (positive means start or stop of drag), then at block 182 user input is monitored. As the event end point moves, block 182 produces a visual image. At decision block 186, it is determined whether the drag will stop. If the answer to decision block 186 is no, then subroutine 81 returns to block 182. If the answer to decision block 186 is affirmative, then subroutine 81 proceeds to block 186 as described above.

In summary, the present invention provides a visual group calendar that significantly improves the problems with prior art group calendars. The present invention enables the display of the organizational calendar using a graphical format rather than a text format.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for visually displaying an organizational calendar. Events are displayed graphically for each member of the organization that corresponds to the time of the event. Graphically displaying an event would involve the placement of graphic symbols that indicate the start and end times of each event adjacent to a time frame. In one example, a first axis and a second axis are generated. The reference of each member of the organization is
Aligned along one of those axes, the time indications are aligned along the other axis. In one example, the names of each member of the organization are arranged along the horizontal axis and the time bar is along the vertical axis. The graphic symbol can include a straight line running from the start time to the end time and is placed under the name of the applicable member. Thus, all members of the organization will get a graphical representation of their timeline presented in an easily understandable format.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating an organization chart according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a visual group timetable configured according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a data processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow chart of the present invention.

5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow chart of a GROUP subroutine of FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow chart of a VISUAL subroutine of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a flow chart of the ADD subroutine of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a flow chart of the DRAG subroutine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Organization Chart 20 Visual Group Schedule 40 System 42 Processor 44 CPU 46 Memory 48 Hard Disk Storage 50 Disk Storage 52 Diskette 54 Mouse 56 Keyboard 58 Display 60 Printer

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A method of visually presenting a tissue calendar on a display of a data processing system, comprising graphically displaying events of each member of the organization corresponding to the time of said event. And how to. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of graphically displaying comprises locating a graphical symbol connecting time frames indicating respective start and end times of said event. .. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of generating first and second axes, arranging respective instructions of the member along one of the axes. Arranging a time indication along the other of the. 4. A method of forming and displaying an organization timetable, electronically obtaining a timetable for each member of an organization, and any event from the timetable opposite the list of members. And graphically displaying. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising arranging the list of members along a first axis, and along a second axis generally intersecting the first axis. And arranging the timetable according to the present invention. 6. A method of visually presenting an organizational calendar by displaying the calendar on a computer, the method comprising: providing a function for displaying a framework of a calendar; Providing a function for graphically displaying an event of each member of the organization corresponding to the time of said event. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of giving a graphic display function gives a function of arranging a graphic symbol connecting the time frames of the frame, which displays a start time and an end time of the event. A method comprising: 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the frame display function imparting step imparts a function of generating first and second axes, and each of the members along one of the axes. Providing a function of arranging an indication, and providing a function of arranging an indication of time along the other of the axes. 9. A computer system for generating a visual group timetable for graphically displaying on a display screen an event of each member of an organization corresponding to the time of the event. A computer system including means. 10. The computer system according to claim 9, wherein the display means includes means for arranging a graphic symbol connecting a time frame displaying a start time and an end time of each of the events. Computer system. 11. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising means for generating first and second axes, and arranging respective instructions of the member along one of the axes. A computer system comprising means and means for arranging an indication of time along the other of said axes. 12. An apparatus recorded on a computer-readable medium for generating a visual group timetable in a computer system having a display screen, wherein an event of each member of the organization corresponding to the time of the event is graphically depicted. A device characterized in that it comprises means for displaying the information. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the graphic display means includes means for arranging a graphic symbol connecting a time frame displaying a start time and an end time of each of the events. Device to do. 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for generating first and second axes and means for arranging respective instructions of the member along one of the axes. And a means for arranging an indication of time along the other of said axes.