Visualization and analysis of scheduling data

Abstract

Methods and structure for presenting and analyzing schedule data. One exemplary embodiment is a system that includes an interface and a controller. The controller is able to identify a schedule comprising multiple events occurring over a length of time, to select a cyclic period within the length of time, and to generate a representation of the length of time as a view of a three dimensional (3D) helix wherein each revolution of the 3D helix corresponds with an iteration of the cyclic period. The controller is also able to determine an event location for each of the events along a path defined by the 3D helix, and to direct the interface to transmit instructions for presenting the 3D helix and the event locations via a display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an interface; and   a controller operable to acquire an input stream from input sources in real time via the interface in accordance with an Application Programming Interface (API), the input stream indicating events that are being performed by the same individual in real time, and to generate entries in a database that describe the indicated events, each entry including a timestamp and input source name for a corresponding event,   wherein the controller is further operable to assign a layer to each event based on location information corresponding with the timestamp for that event, to create a retrospective timeline that represents events in the database, wherein the retrospective timeline visually distinguishes between events that are assigned to different layers, and to update the retrospective timeline in memory in real time as the input stream is received.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input sources include at least one input source selected from the group consisting of: a social network for the individual, a call history of a mobile device of the individual, a text messaging history of the individual, an email application for the individual, a calendar for the individual, and a fitness band worn by the individual.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the location information comprises Global Positioning System (GPS) data indicating movements of a mobile device of the user, and the controller is further operable to correlate GPS data with events in the input stream to determine locations corresponding to the events. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is further operable to classify unknown events in the database by querying the user. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 each of the layers is associated with one of multiple categories, and the categories comprise work, family, fitness, networking, and social. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is further operable to accumulate multiple individual inputs from an input source into a single overarching event. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller comprises a component of a mobile device. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 receiving an input stream from input sources in real time via an interface in accordance with an Application Programming Interface (API), the input stream indicating events that are being performed by the same individual in real time;   generating entries in a database that describe the indicated events, each entry including a timestamp and input source name for a corresponding event;   assigning a layer to each event based on location information corresponding with the timestamp for that event;   populating a retrospective timeline that visually represents events in the database wherein the retrospective timeline visually distinguishes between events that are assigned to different layers; and   updating the retrospective timeline in memory in real time as the input stream is received.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 the input sources include at least one input source selected from the group consisting of: a social network for the individual, a call history of a mobile device of the individual, a text messaging history of the individual, an email application for the individual, a calendar for the individual, and a fitness band worn by the individual. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 the location information comprises Global Positioning System (GPS) data indicating movements of a mobile device of the user, and the method further comprises correlating GPS data with events in the input stream to determine locations corresponding to the events. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 classifying unknown events in the database by querying the user. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 each of the layers is associated with one of multiple categories, and the categories comprise work, family, fitness, networking, and social. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 accumulating multiple individual inputs from an input source into a single overarching event. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 presenting the retrospective timeline via a display of a mobile device. 
 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method comprising:
 receiving an input stream from input sources in real time via an interface in accordance with an Application Programming Interface (API), the input stream indicating events that are being performed by the same individual in real time;   generating entries in a database that describe the indicated events, each entry including a timestamp and input source name for a corresponding event;   assigning a layer to each event based on location information corresponding with the timestamp for that event;   populating a retrospective timeline that visually represents events in the database wherein the retrospective timeline visually distinguishes between events that are assigned to different layers; and   updating the retrospective timeline in memory in real time as the input stream is received.   
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein:
 the input sources include at least one input source selected from the group consisting of: a social network for the individual, a call history of a mobile device of the individual, a text messaging history of the individual, an email application for the individual, a calendar for the individual, and a fitness band worn by the individual. 
 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein:
 the location information comprises Global Positioning System (GPS) data indicating movements of a mobile device of the user, and the method further comprises correlating GPS data with events in the input stream to determine locations corresponding to the events. 
 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 classifying unknown events in the database by querying the user. 
 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein:
 each of the layers is associated with one of multiple categories, and the categories comprise work, family, fitness, networking, and social. 
 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 accumulating multiple individual inputs from an input source into a single overarching event.