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:
 a display; and   a controller operable to identify multiple prospectively scheduled events for an individual over a period of time, to identify multiple retrospectively determined events that were performed by the individual during the period of time, to generate a timeline representing the period of time, to populate the timeline with the prospectively scheduled events in a first layer, to further populate the timeline with the retrospectively determined events in a second layer that is visually distinct from the first layer, and to present both layers of the timeline via the display, thereby visually representing discrepancies between prospectively scheduled events and retrospectively determined events of the individual.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is operable to determine events that were performed by the individual based on an input stream received from input sources in real time. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the controller is operable to update the timeline at the display in real time based on the input stream. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is operable to identify a discrepancy between a prospectively scheduled event and a corresponding retrospectively determined event, and to generate a report presented via the display that indicates the discrepancy. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is operable to assign a priority value to an event on the timeline that indicates an importance of the event with respect to other events. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is operable to correlate each event with one of multiple predefined categories, and to identify a category of events that occupies a largest portion of the period of time. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller is operable to generate a recommendation to the individual that suggests a change in behavior based on the discrepancies. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 identifying multiple prospectively scheduled events for an individual over a period of time;   identifying multiple retrospectively determined events that were performed by the individual during the period of time;   generating a timeline representing the period of time;   populating the timeline with the prospectively scheduled events in a first layer;   further populating the timeline with the retrospectively determined events in a second layer that is visually distinct from the first layer; and   presenting both layers of the timeline via a display, thereby visually representing discrepancies between prospectively scheduled events and retrospectively determined events of the individual.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 determining events that were performed by the individual based on an input stream received from multiple input sources in real time. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 updating the timeline at the display in real time based on the input stream. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 identifying a discrepancy between a prospectively scheduled event and a corresponding retrospectively determined event; and 
 generating a report presented via the display that indicates the discrepancy. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 assigning a priority value to an event on the timeline that indicates an importance of the event with respect to other events. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 correlating each event with one of multiple predefined categories; and 
 identifying a category of events that occupies a largest portion of the period of time. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 generating a recommendation to the individual that suggests a change in behavior based on the discrepancies. 
 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method comprising:
 identifying multiple prospectively scheduled events for an individual over a period of time;   identifying multiple retrospectively determined events that were performed by the individual during the period of time;   generating a timeline representing the period of time;   populating the timeline with the prospectively scheduled events in a first layer;   further populating the timeline with the retrospectively determined events in a second layer that is visually distinct from the first layer; and   presenting both layers of the timeline via a display, thereby visually representing discrepancies between prospectively scheduled events and retrospectively determined events of the individual.   
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 determining events that were performed by the individual based on an input stream received from multiple input sources in real time. 
 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the method further comprises:
 updating the timeline in real time based on the input stream. 
 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 identifying a discrepancy between a prospectively scheduled event and a corresponding retrospectively determined event; and 
 generating a report presented via the display that indicates the discrepancy. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 assigning a priority value to an event on the timeline that indicates an importance of the event with respect to other events. 
 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 correlating each event with one of multiple predefined categories; and 
 identifying a category of events that occupies a largest portion of the period of time.