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.

1 . A system comprising:
 a controller that receives input from a user defining a goal of engaging in an activity, identifies times for performing the activity in the absence of user input specifying the times, acquires permission from the user to automatically schedule events onto a calendar of the user, and automatically prepopulates the calendar with events for engaging in the activity in response to acquiring permission; and   a memory storing the calendar.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller identifies a timing conflict between a prepopulated event and an event scheduled by the user, and automatically reschedules the prepopulated event to a new time in order to resolve the conflict without moving the event scheduled by the user. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein:
 the control unit determines that the prepopulated event has a lower priority than the event scheduled by the user, and reschedules the prepopulated event in response to determining that the prepopulated event has the lower priority. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller receives input from the user requesting a change to a time for a prepopulated event, and alters the time for the prepopulated event based on the user input. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller analyzes a behavioral pattern of the user over a period of time, identifies times for performing the activity based on the behavioral pattern of the user, and schedules the prepopulated events at the identified times. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller determines that the user is unable to attend a prepopulated activity, and dynamically reschedules the prepopulated activity to a later time. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller receives input from the user defining multiple goals of engaging in multiple activities, acquires permission from the user to automatically schedule events onto a calendar of the user, and prepopulates the calendar with events for engaging in the multiple activities in response to acquiring permission. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 receiving input from a user defining a goal of engaging in an activity;   acquiring permission from the user to automatically schedule events onto a calendar of the user;   identifying times for performing the activity in the absence of user input specifying the times; and   automatically prepopulating the calendar with events for engaging in the activity in response to acquiring permission, wherein time slots in the calendar are chosen for the prepopulated events.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 identifying a timing conflict between a prepopulated event and an event scheduled by the user; and 
 automatically rescheduling the prepopulated event to a new time in order to resolve the conflict without moving the event scheduled by the user. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 determining that the prepopulated event has a lower priority than the event scheduled by the user; and 
 rescheduling the prepopulated event in response to determining that the prepopulated event has the lower priority. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 receiving input from the user requesting a change to a time for a prepopulated event; and altering the time for the prepopulated event based on the user input. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 analyzing a behavioral pattern of the user over a period of time; 
 identifying times for performing the activity based on the behavioral pattern of the user; and 
 scheduling the prepopulated events at the identified times. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 determining that the user is unable to attend a prepopulated activity; and 
 dynamically rescheduling the prepopulated activity to a later time. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 receiving input from the user defining multiple goals of engaging in multiple activities; 
 acquiring permission from the user to automatically schedule events onto a calendar of the user; and 
 prepopulating the calendar with events for engaging in the multiple activities in response to acquiring permission. 
 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for directing the processor to perform a method comprising:
 receiving input from a user defining a goal of engaging in an activity;   identifying times for performing the activity in the absence of user input specifying the times; and   acquiring permission from the user to automatically schedule events onto a calendar of the user; and   automatically prepopulating the calendar with events for engaging in the activity in response to acquiring permission.   
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 identifying a timing conflict between a prepopulated event and an event scheduled by the user; and 
 automatically rescheduling the prepopulated event to a new time in order to resolve the conflict without moving the event scheduled by the user. 
 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the method further comprises:
 determining that the prepopulated event has a lower priority than the event scheduled by the user; and 
 rescheduling the prepopulated event in response to determining that the prepopulated event has the lower priority. 
 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving input from the user requesting a change to a time for a prepopulated event; and altering the time for the prepopulated event based on the user input. 
 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 analyzing a behavioral pattern of the user over a period of time; 
 identifying times for performing the activity based on the behavioral pattern of the user; and 
 scheduling the prepopulated events at the identified times. 
 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 determining that the user is unable to attend a prepopulated activity; and 
 dynamically rescheduling the prepopulated activity to a later time.