Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-20
2001-07-03
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2776)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C705S007380, C705S002000, C705S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256651
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principle embodiment of the present invention introduces a workflow software wherein data input by a user into a spreadsheet is computer generated into a bar chart. The invention makes available to a user a graphical display of a priority time management system.
There are two windows available to a user. The first window, referred to as the “spreadsheet window”, is primarily used for inputting data. The second window, referred to as the “bar chart window”, is primarily an output window. The output is determined by the criteria of the “spreadsheet window”.
The “spreadsheet window” contains a spreadsheet which is divided into multiple rows and columns. The first five columns are labeled as follows: “To-do” item, Priority, Time, Continuous, Deadline. A user inputs into the cells of each column the required data.
The “To-do” item column is a list of all of the tasks a user must execute. The Priority column is a rating of importance of each “To-do” item. The Time column is the time required to complete each “To-do” item. The Continuous column designates whether a “To-do” item must be completed in one continuous period of time, or if it may be broken down into various discrete segments of time. The Deadline column is the date by which each “To-do” item must be completed. A user may add data or modify existing data in the spreadsheet at any time. The computer application will re-generate the bar graph according to the new input.
The “bar chart” window contains a bar graph. The bar graph consists of a y-axis and an x-axis. The “To-do” items are listed vertically along the y-axis, and the x-axis is time. The x-axis is divided into blocks representing days; each block is further divided into equal segments representing the hours of a typical work day.
The bars are plotted according to the variables Priority, Time, and Deadline from the spreadsheet. The bars indicate when a user is to begin and to finish the corresponding task. Tasks which are “discontinuous”, are divided into various segments of time, and spread over the days leading up to the deadline. The bars are color coded such that each “To-do” item has a distinct color based upon its priority.
A user may reposition any of the bars of the graph by using a mouse and standard drag and drop methods, if the computer generated graph is not suitable for the user.
It is also possible to click with a mouse on a bar to input to the computer whether or not a task has been completed or not.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, multiple users are connected via a computer network. A user is classified as either a secondary user, which may be an employee, or as a primary user, which may be a manager.
A secondary user has access to the two windows as described in the principle embodiment, i.e. the “spreadsheet window” and the “bar chart window”. A secondary user inputs data into the spreadsheet, and the computer application generates the bar graph, in an identical manner as in the principle embodiment. A primary user has access to all of the spreadsheets and the bar charts of the secondary users. A primary user has access to two windows. In the first window, all of the spreadsheets are partially displayed. Scrolling arrows permit a primary user view a secondary user's entire spreadsheet. In this window, a primary user is able to modify data or add data to the spreadsheets of the secondary users. As in the principle embodiment, the computer application regenerates the bar graphs accordingly.
All of the bar charts of the secondary users are displayed in a second window. The bar charts are vertically presented, such that a primary user can evaluate the workflow of tasks divided between multiple secondary users. The present invention makes available to a primary user an actual workflow line which connects tasks which are contingent upon one another. Thus, the synchronization of a project or assignment, that requires multiple secondary users (employees) is obvious.
The prior art describes simple workflow applications for the time management of a particular project. Examples of these applications are: MacProject, Delegator (Madrigal Software) and Maverick (Maverick Development). These applications enable a user to organize the timetable for a project, assignment, or task, however they do not take into account the schedules of the people involved. People perform many tasks at the same time that may or may not be involved with any specific project, yet this is not factored into these applications. The present invention makes available to a user all of the tasks, assignments and projects that must be completed, by displaying them in a graphical format. A user is presented with a timetable of when to begin and when to finish all tasks, and is therefore able to modify the schedule as necessary. The essence of the present invention is to organize the time of users, such that the result is the synchronization of projects.
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Hong Stephen S.
Paula Cesar B.
Raja Tuli
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