Activity recording module

Abstract

The invention refers to a system of recording the activities carried out by an individual person during specific time intervals. This system will normally be on an electronic device, but the initial method of recording may be paper-based. This system involves recording activity and associated attributes as a function of time on a grid, using lines to define the activity recorded in each grid interval. The invention is an intuitive data entry system, principally but not exclusively via touchscreen. The system will preferably be deployed on a handheld digital device with touchscreen entry capability. The activity recording system may also record values, attributes or files associated with specific time intervals. It may generate charts, tables, alerts and reminders. It may synchronize with other devices and applications and may import or export data from them.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An activity recorder comprising:
 a data entry system; 
 a storage system for receiving and storing activity data; and 
 a display system, wherein the display system is in communication with the storage system and wherein the display system is configured for:
 displaying a grid comprising: 
 time cells along a first axis, wherein each time cell has a same first axis coordinate representing a predetermined time segment; and 
 group cells along a second axis, wherein each group cell has a same second axis coordinate representing an activity group; 
 accepting input from the data entry system to display a graphical representation of a new time interval associated with an the activity group, wherein the new time interval comprises a start time and an end time; 
 sending new activity data to the storage system for storage, where the new activity data comprises the new time interval associated with the activity group; and 
 signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with an the activity group exceed a preset amount; 
 
 a rules engine, wherein the storage system comprises the new activity data and stored activity data and wherein the rules engine comprises instructions for:
 determining whether the new time interval of the new activity data intersects a stored time interval of the stored activity data, wherein the stored time interval comprises a stored start time and a stored end time; and 
 applying a conflicts rule if new time interval of the new activity data intersects the stored time interval of the stored activity data; 
 if the start time of new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, then setting the start time of the new time interval to the stored end time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, setting the stop time of the new time interval to the stored start time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, the deleting the stored time interval; and 
 if the start time of the new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, then: 
 setting a first revised stored start time to the stored start time; 
 setting a first revised stored end time to start time of the new time interval; 
 setting a second revised stored start time to the end time of the new time interval; 
 and setting a second revised stored end time to the stored end time. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein each group cell is associated with a short code. 
     
     
       3. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein a predetermined template is used to obtain data entries specific to a medical condition of a patient associated with a user. 
     
     
       4. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein a predetermined template is used to obtain data entries specific to providing disaster relief. 
     
     
       5. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein a predetermined template is used to obtain data entries specific to law enforcement or military action. 
     
     
       6. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein the data entry system is selected from the group consisting of a touch screen and a stylus for contacting the touch screen, a cursor responsive to a keypad, a cursor responsive to joystick, and a cursor responsive to a mouse. 
     
     
       7. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representation of the new time interval associated with the activity group comprises a bar extending from the start time to the end time of the new time interval. 
     
     
       8. The activity recorder of  claim 7 , wherein the activity group is associated with a group color and wherein the bar is displayed in the group color. 
     
     
       9. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein the activity group comprises activity categories. 
     
     
       10. The activity recorder of  claim 9 , wherein the activity group is associated with a group color and wherein an activity category of that activity group is associated with a hue of the group color. 
     
     
       11. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein the storage system is configured for exporting stored activity data. 
     
     
       12. The activity recorder of  claim 1 , wherein the storage system is configured for importing other stored activity data. 
     
     
       13. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein a template created in a separate application is imported and used to obtain data entries. 
     
     
       14. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein at least part of the activity recorder functions are integrated with a computing device selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant, an electronic organizer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a converged device. 
     
     
       15. The activity recorder of claim 14, wherein the computing device includes a keyboard. 
     
     
       16. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the data entry system is selected from the group consisting of a touchscreen, a stylus, a keyboard, a keypad, a voice command system, a digital pen, a joystick, a jog dial, a toggle, a pointing/clicking device, a health monitor, a sports training monitor, an exercise monitor, and a medication monitor. 
     
     
       17. The activity recorder of claim 16, wherein input from the data entry system comprises a measurement selected from the group consisting of blood pressure, blood glucose level, heart rate, and body temperature. 
     
     
       18. The activity recorder of claim 16, wherein input from the data entry system comprises data from a sensor selected from the group consisting of a pedometer, a GPS receiver, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
       19. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation of the new time interval associated with the activity group comprises an icon. 
     
     
       20. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein each time cell has a shape selected from the group consisting of a square shape, a rectangular shape, a square-rectangular shape in a vertical orientation, and a square-rectangular shape in a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
       21. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the aggregated time intervals associated with an activity group comprises the time intervals associated with one or more category of the activity group. 
     
     
       22. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the alert is selected from the group consisting of an audible alert and a visual alert. 
     
     
       23. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with an activity group exceed a preset amount comprises:
 signaling an alert when a ratio of the aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group to aggregated time intervals associated with a different activity group exceeds the preset amount.   
     
     
       24. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein displaying a grid comprises displaying a plurality of grids that enable a user to record multiple activities. 
     
     
       25. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the stop time of the new interval is on a different date than the start time of the new interval. 
     
     
       26. The activity recording module of claim 1, further comprising aggregating activity data of multiple ARM users. 
     
     
       27. The activity recording module of claim 1, further comprising annotating the new activity data, wherein an annotation is selected from the group consisting of a note, an email, a message, an image, a music recording, and a video. 
     
     
       28. The activity recording module of claim 1, wherein the activity recording module is operated in combination with a collaboration tool selected from the group consisting of a phone, a website community, an instant messenger, a RSS feed, and a MS Sharepoint portal. 
     
     
       29. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein a template is used populate data entries specific to a user's routine. 
     
     
       30. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group differs from a preset amount comprises signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group exceeds the preset amount. 
     
     
       31. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group differs from a preset amount comprises signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group is less than the preset amount. 
     
     
       32. The activity recorder of claim 1, wherein the activity is selected from the group consisting of obtaining information pertinent to a medical condition, obtaining information pertinent to a mental state, obtaining observations of a research project, obtaining information pertinent to providing disaster relief, and obtaining information pertinent to a law enforcement or military action. 
     
     
       33. An activity recorder comprising:
 a data entry system;   a storage system for receiving and storing activity data; and   a display system, wherein the display system is in communication with the storage system and wherein the display system is configured for:
 displaying a grid comprising:
 time cells along a first axis, wherein each time cell has a same first axis coordinate representing a predetermined time segment; and 
 group cells along a second axis, wherein each group cell has a same second axis coordinate representing an activity group; 
 accepting input from the data entry system to display a graphical representation of a new time interval associated with the activity group, wherein the new time interval comprises a start time and an end time; 
 sending new activity data to the storage system for storage, where the new activity data comprises the new time interval associated with the activity group; and 
 signaling an alert when aggregated time intervals associated with the activity group differ from a preset amount; 
 
   a rules engine, wherein the storage system comprises the new activity data and stored activity data and wherein the rules engine comprises instructions for:
 determining whether the new time interval of the new activity data intersects a stored time interval of the stored activity data, wherein the stored time interval comprises a stored start time and a stored end time; 
 applying a conflicts rule if new time interval of the new activity data intersects the stored time interval of the stored activity data; 
 if the start time of new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, then setting the start time of the new time interval to the stored end time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, setting the stop time of the new time interval to the stored start time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, the deleting the stored time interval; and 
 if the start time of the new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, then:
 setting a first revised stored start time to the stored start time; 
 setting a first revised stored end time to start time of the new time interval; 
 setting a second revised stored start time to the end time of the new time interval; and 
 setting a second revised stored end time to the stored end time. 
 
   
     
     
       34. The activity recorder of claim 33, wherein the activity is selected from the group consisting of obtaining information pertinent to a medical condition, obtaining information pertinent to a mental state, obtaining observations of a research project, obtaining information pertinent to providing disaster relief, and obtaining information pertinent to a law enforcement or military action. 
     
     
       35. An activity recorder comprising:
 a data entry system, wherein the data entry system is selected from the group consisting of a touchscreen, a stylus, a keyboard, a keypad, a voice command system, a digital pen, a joystick, a jog dial, a toggle, a pointing/clicking device, a health monitor, a sports training monitor, an exercise monitor, and a medication monitor;   a storage system for receiving and storing activity data; and   a display system, wherein the display system is in communication with the storage system and wherein the display system is configured for:
 displaying a grid comprising:
 time cells along a first axis, wherein each time cell has a same first axis coordinate representing a pre-determined time segment; and 
 group cells along a second axis, wherein each group cell has a same second axis coordinate representing an activity group; 
 
 accepting input from the data entry system to display a graphical representation of a new time interval associated with the activity group, wherein the new time interval comprises a start time and an end time; and 
 sending new activity data to the storage system for storage, where the new activity data comprises the new time interval associated with the activity group, wherein each group cell is associated with a short code; 
   a rules engine, wherein the storage system comprises the new activity data and stored activity data and wherein the rules engine comprises instructions for:
 determining whether the new time interval of the new activity data intersects a stored time interval of the stored activity data, wherein the stored time interval comprises a stored start time and a stored end time; 
 applying a conflicts rule if new time interval of the new activity data intersects the stored time interval of the stored activity data; 
 if the start time of new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, then setting the start time of the new time interval to the stored end time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, setting the stop time of the new time interval to the stored start time; 
 if the start time of the new time interval is before the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is after the stored end time, then deleting the stored time interval; and 
 if the start time of the new time interval is after the stored start time and if the end time of the new time interval is before the stored end time, then:
 setting a first revised stored start time to the stored start time; 
 setting a first revised stored end time to start time of the new time interval; 
 setting a second revised stored start time to the end time of the new time interval; and 
 setting a second revised stored end time to the stored end time. 
 
   
     
     
       36. The activity recorder of claim 35, wherein the activity is selected from the group consisting of obtaining information pertinent to a medical condition, obtaining information pertinent to a mental state, obtaining observations of a research project, obtaining information pertinent to providing disaster relief, and obtaining information pertinent to a law enforcement or military action.