Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for multi-state presence and response tracking and indication

Abstract

Systems and methods are described, and a method includes receiving data indicating a current presence status and a current response status of a subject person from a network, and based at least in part on the data, displaying an indicator image including a first area and a second area according to a relative spatial structure, while simultaneously displaying a first area having a first state appearance and a second area having a second state appearance, the first state appearance indicating a current presence status, and the second state appearance indicating a current response status.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to transmitting and viewing presence and response data, and more particularly, to hosting tracking of subject personnel and providing client display of presence and response via a multi-state single indicator. Background Art

[0002] It would be beneficial to obtain information about the presence or absence of other people at a given location. For example, when an unexpected need arises to meet with a visitor, it would often be helpful to quickly determine who is present and who is present and available. The benefits of such information, if available, would include reduced time lost in calling around, reduced stress, and the ability to choose groups more wisely. Similarly, it would be helpful to obtain information about other people's responses to remote communications, such as the quality of their respective connections, their available time slots.

[0003] However, there are technical problems in presenting such information. One of such problems is how to select, arrange and present information to meet the recipient's needs for information without overloading the recipient.

[0004] For example, one technique for updating the presence of a person and the responses of others is to construct a list of people and display a string of ON-OFF icons near each name. This technique may present various technical problems. For example, visually tracking multiple ON-OFF situations next to each name in a lengthy list may be tiring. Another technique is to display a list of subject people and arrange text or a dialogue block next to each name, and a text description of the person's presence and responses can be maintained in the text or dialogue block. Technical problems that may arise include the time required to read the text. Summary of the invention

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] An example of the disclosed system may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive data indicating a current presence status, data indicating a current response status, and information associating an object person identifier with the current presence status and the current response status from a network via a network interface coupled to the system, wherein the presence status is a state relative to a physical location of a given reference object, and the response status is a response status relative to a given communication resource group, and based at least in part on the data, display an indicator image including a first area and a second area according to a mutual spatial structure on a display coupled to the system, and simultaneously display a first area having a first state appearance and a second area having a second state appearance, the first state appearance indicating the current presence status, the second state appearance indicating the current response status, and one of the first area and the second area surrounding the other of the first area and the second area.

[0007] Examples of the disclosed method may include a method for visually tracking presence and response, which may include receiving data indicating a current presence status, data indicating a current response status, and information associating an object person identifier with a current presence status from a network; and displaying an indicator image on a display coupled to the system based at least in part on the data, the indicator image including a first area and a second area according to a relative spatial structure, and simultaneously displaying the first area having a first state appearance and the second area having a second state appearance, the first state appearance indicating a current presence status, the second state appearance indicating a current response status, the presence status being a physical location status relative to a given reference, and the response status being a response status relative to a given communication resource group.

[0008] An example of a disclosed non-transitory computer-readable medium may include stored instructions that, when executed, may cause a programmable device to receive data indicating a current presence status, data indicating a current response status, and information associating an object personnel identifier with the current presence status and the current response status; and based at least in part on the data, display on a display an indicator comprising a first area and a second area according to a relative spatial structure, and simultaneously display a first area having a first state appearance and a second area having a second state appearance, the first state appearance indicating the current presence status, and the second state appearance indicating the current response status. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings depict one or more implementations according to the present teachings, only as examples, not as limitations. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. In addition, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0010] Figure 1A functional block diagram of an example system is shown upon which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0011] Figure 2 An implementation of a client-side dashboard for a visual presence-response tracking system and method according to the present disclosure is shown, which includes a two-state single indicator of current presence-response, presenting a user-visible current presence status and current response status of each of a plurality of subject persons in each state.

[0012] Figures 3A-3I Shows Figure 2 Example of a two-state single indicator in a client-side dashboard Presence-Responsiveness Indicator state.

[0013] Figure 4 Another implementation of the client-side dashboard is shown, which includes a two-state single indicator of current presence-response, presenting Figure 2 An alternative user-visual indication of the current presence status and the current response status can be seen in the example.

[0014] Figure 5 Another implementation of a client-side dashboard is shown, which includes an example modified two-state single indicator of current presence-response, presenting an example current presence status and current response status. Figure 2 A variation of a visual indication to the user.

[0015] Figures 6A-6I Shows Figure 5 Example of a single indicator in a client-side dashboard Presence-Response indication status.

[0016] Figure 7 An implementation of a client-side dashboard in a system and method according to the present disclosure is shown, which includes a finer-grained two-state single indicator of current presence-response for visual tracking of subject personnel's presence and responsiveness status.

[0017] Figures 8A-8F Shows Figure 7 An example of a more fine-grained presence-responsiveness indicator state for a two-state single indicator in a client-side dashboard.

[0018] Figures 9A-9F Shows Figure 7 An example of a more fine-grained presence-responsiveness indicator state for a two-state single indicator in a client-side dashboard.

[0019] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B One implementation of a dual-state single indicator of current presence-response, with temporal response indication, for visual tracking of subject personnel's presence and response status in systems and methods according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figures 11A-11I An example of a temporal response indication of an example presence-response condition indication state with respect to a two-state single indicator according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figures 12A-12D Specific example values ​​for a temporal response indication for an example presence-response condition indication state formed by a two-state single indicator in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0022] Fig.13 An example triangle-circle configuration of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator for tracking, distributing, and visually presenting the presence-response status of a subject person according to the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0023] Fig.14 An example square-circle configuration of another implementation of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator according to the present disclosure is illustrated for tracking, distribution and visual presentation of the current presence-response status of subject personnel.

[0024] Fig.15 An example square-square configuration of an implementation of a polygon-polygon dual-state single indicator according to the present disclosure is illustrated for tracking, distributing, and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person.

[0025] Fig.16 An example circle-hexagon configuration of one implementation of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator according to the present disclosure is illustrated for tracking, distributing, and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person.

[0026] Fig.17 Illustrated are example circle and hexagon-circle configurations of one implementation of an ellipse with a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator for tracking, distribution, and visual presentation of the current presence-response status of subject personnel in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig.18A Another example square-square implementation of a polygon-polygon bi-state single indicator for tracking, distributing, and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person according to the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0028] Fig.18B Pictured Fig.18A Example segmented second region configuration for a square-square implementation.

[0029] Fig. 18C Illustrated is a diagram with example graphical reference marks superimposed according to the present disclosure Fig.18AAn exemplary further segmented second region configuration of an implementation illustrating various features of the mutual spatial configuration of the first region and the segmented second region.

[0030] Fig.18D and Fig.18E The first and second region appearances according to the present disclosure are illustrated, respectively, visually indicating two example presence-response conditions.

[0031] Fig.19A An example graphical reference mark superimposed on another two-state single indicator is illustrated, illustrating various features of the mutual spatial configuration of a first region and another segmented second region in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0032] Figures 19B-19E The diagram shows the Fig.19A The bi-state single indicator provides a visual indication of the presence-response condition in four respective first and second region appearances.

[0033] Figures 20A-20L Illustrated are eight respective first and second region appearances in an example of another implementation of a mutual spatial structured binary single indicator of current presence-response according to the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig.21 A functional block diagram showing an example flow in a process of updating a client dashboard of a two-state single indicator of the current presence and response status of a subject person on the client side during presence-response status tracking, distribution, and visual presentation according to the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 22 A functional block diagram showing an example flow in a server-side tracking and updating process of a subject person's presence-response status in a system process for presence-response status tracking and distribution according to the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig.23 A block diagram illustrating an example software architecture, portions of which may be used in conjunction with the various hardware architectures described herein, is shown.

[0037] Fig.24 A functional block diagram illustrating components of an example machine configured to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and perform any of the features described herein is shown.

[0038] Specific implementation method

[0039] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of example in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. After reading this specification, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various aspects may be practiced without these details. In other cases, known methods, procedures, components and / or circuits have been described at a relatively high level without detailed description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0040] As will be understood by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure, the benefits and advantages provided by the implementation may include, but are not limited to, solutions to the technical problem of not being able to provide a client with a visual, easy-to-understand update of the current presence status and current response status of each of multiple subject persons. The technical solutions and implementations provided herein improve the user experience of the user in receiving user-specifiable persons and presenting the current presence status and current response status of persons identified and listed to the user through demand-based automatic person list construction.

[0041] Figure 1 An example system 100 is shown on which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. The system 100 may include a backend server 102, which may be coupled to a presence-response status (PRS) database 104, which may store a presence status and a response status (in Figure 1 These persons will be referred to as “Target Personnel”.

[0042] It will be understood that the PRS database 104 is a logical resource and the graphical block 104 representation does not define hardware or architecture. The PRS database 104 may be implemented as a "cloud resource," for example. It will also be understood that presence status and response status are not necessarily stored together.

[0043] The system 100 may include a plurality of participant client devices, such as example office-based clients 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-N (collectively, "clients 106") and home office clients 108. Clients 106 may be connected to a network 110, such as the Internet, through a network interface server 112. Home office clients 108 may be connected to the network 100 through, for example, an Internet service provider (ISP) 114. Network 110 may be a wired or wireless network or a combination of wired and wireless networks that connects one or more elements of the system 100.

[0044] Client devices 106 and 108 may be personal or handheld computing devices having or connected to input and output elements. For example, client devices 106 and 108 may be one of the following: a mobile phone; a smart phone; a tablet computer; a phablet; a smart watch; a wearable computer; a personal computer; a desktop computer; a notebook computer; a gaming device / computer; a television; etc. This list is provided as an example only and is not intended to be any limitation on the scope of implementation of any client device 106 or 108.

[0045] Figure 2 A portion of an example client device 200, such as any of the client devices 106 or 108, is illustrated, which includes a user interface (UI) screen 202 having a general display area 204 and a single indicator presence-accessibility dashboard 206. The dashboard 206 may include a plurality of two-state single indicators, examples of which are shown in FIG. Figure 2 The functions and operations described may be performed, for example, by a processor included in or associated with the client device (in the Figure 2 The processor may be coupled to the UI screen 202 and a memory (not explicitly visible in FIG. 1 ) that may store executable instructions. Figure 2 ), which, when executed by a processor, can cause the processor to implement the described features and operations.

[0046] An expanded detailed view of an example implementation of the dashboard 206 and any example display status appearance of the implementation are on the left side of the UI screen 202. Referring to the expanded view, the dashboard 206 can include a first presence-response status block 208-1, a second presence-response status block 208-2, and a third presence-response status block 208-3 in any integer R instances, where the Rth presence-response status block 208-R is visible. Each of the first, second, and third to Rth presence-response status blocks 208-1, 208-2, 208-3, ..., 208-R (generally referred to as "PR status blocks 208") includes a presence-response status two-state single indicator 210 (hereinafter referred to as "DS single indicator 210"). Each PR status block 208 can include a subject person name field 212 and a subject person image 214. Figure 2 An example of common names of “person 1 name, person 2 name, . . . , person R name” in the target person name field 212 is shown.

[0047] Each PR DS single indicator 210 may include a first region 216 and a second region 218. In one implementation, the first region 216 and the second region 218 may be configured to have a mutual spatial structure.

[0048] The phrase "mutual spatial structure" as used herein in the context of any first area A and second area B means that: area A and area B are displayed simultaneously, area A has a first state appearance, area B has a second state appearance, the first state appearance indicates the current presence status, and the second state appearance indicates the current response status, with respective displayed geometric shapes, wherein: i) the geometric center of one of area A and area B is within the enclosing perimeter of the other of area A and area B, or ii) the geometric centroid of one of area A and area B is within the enclosing perimeter of the other of area A and area B, or iii) the enclosing perimeter of one of area A and area B is within the enclosing perimeter of the other of area A and area B, or iv) the geometric centroid of one of area A and area B is within the enclosing perimeter of the other of area A and area B, or v) one of area A and area B at least partially surrounds or at least partially surrounds the other of A and B, or vi) the first state appearance is directly adjacent to the second state appearance, or any combination or sub-combination of (i) to (vi).

[0049] The term "enclosing perimeter" as used herein in the context of a region (eg, a first region or a second region) refers to the smallest radius circular perimeter that encloses the region.

[0050] refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3A yes Figure 2 Block 208-1 is an enlarged view of the PR DS single indicator 210, and features of the first region 216 and the second region 218 according to the mutual spatial structure include, for example, the geometric center of the first region 216 (e.g., the example reference point marked as "GC" on the PR status block 208-1) is within the enclosing perimeter of the second region 218 (e.g., the example reference perimeter line marked as "EP2" on the PR status block 208-1). Since the example first region 216 has a circular perimeter, its geometric center of mass is the same as its geometric center GC. Therefore, another feature of the first and second regions 216 and 218 according to the mutual spatial structure includes the geometric center of mass of 216 being within the enclosing perimeter EP2 of 218. In addition, the enclosing perimeter (e.g., the example reference perimeter line marked as "EP1" on the PR status block 208-1) is located within the enclosing perimeter EP2 of 218. In addition, as shown Figure 2 As shown, the second region 218 at least partially surrounds or at least partially encloses the first region 218 .

[0051] Operations described in more detail in a later portion of the present disclosure may include setting or selecting the appearance of the first area 216 to one of a given set of different first area appearances, and setting the appearance of the second area 218 to one of a given set of different second area appearances. In one implementation, the given set of different first area appearances may be referred to as a first group, and the given set of different second area appearances may be referred to as a second group. Thus, in an example, the setting of the first area 216 and the second area 218 may then be implemented as setting the appearance of the first area 216 to a first color in a first set of colors, and setting the appearance of the second area 218 to a second color in a second set of colors. Alternatively, the setting of the first area 216 and the second area 218 may be implemented as setting the appearance of the first area 216 to a visible pattern in a first set of visible patterns, and setting the appearance of the second area 218 to a second visible pattern in a second set of visible patterns. The two examples described are not mutually exclusive. For example, the setting of the first area 216 and the second area 218 can be implemented by setting the appearance of the first area 216 to the first combined color pattern in the first set of combined color patterns, and setting the appearance of the second area 218 to the second combined color pattern in the second set of combined color patterns.

[0052] For purposes of description, an example set of three appearances of the first region 216 will be assumed, and these will be referred to as the first region first appearance A1, the first region second appearance A2, and the first region third appearance A3. Table 1 below presents example definitions of each of the example first, second, and third appearance states, referred to as A1, A2, and A3, respectively. Each of the example appearances A1, A2, and A3 is Figure 2 All are visible, as Figure 2 A specific color pattern in a group of three color patterns represented as pure white fill, pure black fill and specific cross hatching in the legend. It is understandable that pure black, pure white and cross hatching are not corresponding specifications of the actual appearance. On the contrary, pure black represents a specific color pattern fill, pure white represents another specific color pattern fill, and cross hatching represents another specific color pattern fill. In an example implementation, the color pattern represented by pure white fill can be pure green, the color pattern represented by pure black fill can be pure yellow, and the color pattern represented by cross hatching fill can be pure red. Any of the three can be pure white or pure black. Green, yellow and red are only used for illustrative purposes and should not be understood as limiting or preferred implementations.

[0053] Table 1

[0054] Appearance of the first area 216 PID presence status A1 Present, available for meeting. A2 Absent A3 Be present but not meet.

[0055] An example set of three appearances from which the appearance state of the second portion 218 can be selected can include a second region first appearance B1 , a second region second appearance B2 , and a second region third appearance B3 .

[0056] Table 2 below shows examples of corresponding meanings in terms of the response status of the tracked object person for each of the three, ie, B1, B2, and B3, second region 218 appearance states.

[0057] Table 2

[0058] Appearance of the second area 218 PID response status B1 Not Responding B2 Respond to phone calls only B3 Respond to IM only

[0059] Figure 2 Including fill legend (hereinafter referred to as " Figure 2 Example Legend"), which assigns a different fill from a given three different fill sets to each of the first area 216 appearance states A1, A2 and A3, and assigns a different fill from another given three different fill sets to each of the second area 218 appearance states B1, B2 and B3.

[0060] As described above with respect to A1, A2 and A3, it will be understood that in Figure 2 The visual appearance states corresponding to B1, B2 and B3 in the legend are not respective limitations or specifications for the actual visual appearance. Instead, each represents a specific color mode fill in a set of three color modes. This will be understood to apply to all representations of the form XY, where "X" is a letter and "Y" is a number.

[0061] refer to Figure 2 , including an enlarged detailed view on the left side of UI screen 202, and a reference Figure 2 Filling the legend, it can be seen that the example PR DS single indicator 210 of the first PR status block 208-1 is filled with A1 in its first area 216 and B1 in its second area 218. For the purpose of description, this combination can be referred to as "Al-B1". Looking at Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the presence-response status indicated by Al-B1 is "not present" and "not responding".

[0062] The above example number of three appearances for the first area 216 and three appearances for the second area 218 is for example purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, if it is desired to specify the presence status of the subject person with a finer granularity than just three conditions, the number of different appearances assigned for use in the first area 216 can be greater than three. As an illustration, if it is desired to distinguish "absent, confirmed" from "missing", one implementation may include additional padding, i.e., additional colors, patterns, or combined color patterns. Alternatively or additionally, higher-dimensional appearance states may be assigned for use in the first area 216 or the second area 218 or both. For example, one or both of the first area 216 appearance and the second area 218 appearance may be defined by a pattern, color, or combined color pattern in combination with a brightness level. For example, the brightness state may be binary "high" / "low". For example, applying this binary high / low brightness to the appearance of the first area 216 can then expand the given example set A1, A2, and A3 to a larger set ( Figure 2 In some embodiments, the present invention provides a technical solution for the problem of distinguishing between "not present, confirmed" and "missing", for example, the low brightness state "A1L" of A1 can represent "missing", and the high brightness state "A1B" can represent "not present, confirmed".

[0063] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 2 In the example diagram, it can be seen that the first area 216 of the PR DS single indicator 210 of the second PR status block 208-2 has a fill A1, and Figure 2 The second area 218 of the block 208-2 has a fill B2. Referring to Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the presence-response status binary single indicator 210 of the PR status block 208-2, with its appearance A1-B2, indicates that Person 2 is "not present" and "responding to calls only".

[0064] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 From the example legend and Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the corresponding PR DS single indicator 210 of the PR status block 208-3 indicates that person 3 is "present" and "only responds to IM" through its appearance A1-B2, and the PR DS indicator 210 of the PR status block 208-R indicates that person R is "present, not available for face-time" and "only responds to IM" through its appearance A3-B3.

[0065] will understand, Figure 2The illustrated position and scale of the dashboard 206 and the vertical top-down arrangement of its PR status blocks 208 are for exemplary purposes only and are not intended as any limitation to practice in accordance with the present disclosure. In addition, implementations may include user-selectable positioning of the dashboard 206, user-selectable scaling of the dashboard 206, or both. Implementations may also include selective scaling of portions of the dashboard 206, and selective full-screen view of the dashboard.

[0066] Figures 3A-3I Based on Table 1 and Table 2, it is shown that Figure 2 Each PR DS single indicator 210 in the client-side dashboard 206 indicates a range of presence-response indication conditions. For convenience, Figure 2 The legend is Figures 3A-3I Reproduced above.

[0067] Figure 3A Shows Figure 2 Block 208-1 is an enlarged view of PR DS single indicator 210. As described above and visible in the figure, PR status block 208-1 PR DS single indicator 210 has appearance states A1-B1, and referring to Tables 1 and 2, the presence-response states indicated by A1-B1 are "Absent" and "Not Responding". Figure 3B Shows Figure 2 PR Status Block 208-2 PR DS Single Indicator 210 and its above-described appearance states A1-B2, i.e., for this example, indicating "Not Present" and "Responding to Phone Only". Figure 2 Example legend, Figure 3C The appearance of the PRDS single indicator 210 is seen as A1-B3. Referring to example Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that this represents "absent" and "responsive to IM only". Figure 3D enlarge, Figure 3D The appearance states of the PR DS single indicator 210 are A2-B1, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, indicating "Present" and "Not Responding". Figure 3E and Figure 2 In the example, the visual appearance state of the PR DS single indicator 210 is A2-B2, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2, which indicates "Present" and "Only respond to phone calls". Figure 3F and Figure 2 Example illustration, FIG3 PR DS single indicator 210 appearance state is A2-B3, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2, which indicates "Present" and "Respond to IM Only". Figure 3G and Figure 2 Example legend, Figure 3G The appearance status of the PR DS single indicator 210 is A3-B1. Referring to Table 1 and Table 2, the appearance status A3-B1 is "present, but not available for meeting" and "not responding". Figure 3H and Fig. 3I and Figure 2 Example legend, Figure 3H The appearance state of the PR DS single indicator 210 is considered to be A3-B2, and Fig. 3I The appearance state of the PR DS single indicator 210 is considered to be A3-B3. Looking at Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that Figure 3H PR DS single indicator 210 indicates "present, but not available for meetings" and "only responding to phone calls", and Fig. 3I The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates "Present, but not available for meetings" and "Responding to IMs only."

[0068] Figure 4 An implementation of a client-side dashboard 402 is shown, which includes a PR DS single indicator of current presence-response for a first area and a second area having actually opposite roles. The dashboard 402 may include presence-response status blocks 404-1, 404-2, 404-3, ..., 404-N (collectively referred to as "presence-response status blocks 404" or "blocks 404"). Each of the blocks 404 may include a presence-response status two-state single indicator 406 ("hereinafter alternatively referred to as "PR DS single indicator 406"), a subject person name field 408, and a subject person image 410. Each PR DS single indicator 406 may include a first area 412 and a second area 414 having a relative spatial structure, displayed as the second area 414 surrounding the first area 412.

[0069] The PR DS single indicator 406 can generally be based on Figure 2 The PR binary indicator 2104 is constructed with the opposite functions of its constituent regions. More specifically, the appearance of the second region 414 indicates the current presence of the subject person, which is determined by Figure 2 The first area 216 performs the function. The first area 412 appearance indicates the current response status of the subject person, which is Figure 2 The indicating function performed by the second region 218. Table 3 below shows the mapping of the first region 412 appearance to the current response status of the subject person, and Table 4 shows the mapping of the second region 414 appearance to the current presence status of the subject person.

[0070] Table 3

[0071] Appearance of the first area 412 PID response status C1 Not Responding C2 Respond to phone calls only C3 Respond to IM only

[0072] Table 4

[0073] Appearance of the second area 414 PID presence status D1 Present, available for meeting. D2 Absent D3 Be present but not meet.

[0074] because Figure 4 The first region 412 and the second region 414 have Figure 2 The first region 216 and the second region 218 have comparable relative geometries, with regions 412 and 414 having their own characteristics based on the relative spatial configuration as described above with reference to 216 and 218.

[0075] Figure 5 Another implementation of the client-side dashboard 502 is shown, which may include a two-state single indicator of the current presence-response status with Figure 2 The first region 216 has the same function and structure as the first region 216. Figure 2 The second area 218 is a second area with the same function as the first area and a gap between the second area. The visual example dashboard 402 may include presence-response status blocks 504-1, 504-2, 504-3, ..., 504-R (collectively referred to as "presence-response status blocks 504" or "blocks 504"). Each block 504 may include a presence-response status two-state single indicator 506 (hereinafter alternatively referred to as "PR DS single indicator 506"), a subject person name field 508, and a subject person image 510. Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 5 , each presence-response status dual-state single indicator 506 may include a first region 512 that is arranged in a mutual spatial configuration with a second region 514. Figure 6B , described in more detail in the following part of this disclosure according to the mutual spatial structure Figure 5 Example features of the first region 512 and the second region 514. Figure 5 In the visual example in FIG. 5 , the first area 512 can be at least partially surrounded or enclosed by the second area 514, and the second area 514 can be separated from the first area 512 by a gap 516. In this case, one implementation of such a "gap" can be a solid fill. The solid fill can be configured as a specific color or, for example, white. The basis for selecting the fill of the gap 516 can include, for example, but not limited to, a contrast with the appearance of the first area 512 and the second area 514 during operation.

[0076] Fig. 6A Shows that Figure 5 An enlarged view of the PR DS single indicator 506 in the same display state as the PR DS single indicator 506 in block 504 - 1 . Fig. 6A The reference numerals on Figure 5 Consistent. Reference Fig. 6A , the example interval is numbered 516. Interval 516 is shown as an annular space formed between the outer perimeter of the first region 512 (visible but not separately numbered) and the inner perimeter of the second region 514 (visible but not separately numbered). It will be understood that Figure 5 The annular spacer 516 is only an example, and other forms may also be used. Figure 13-17 Non-limiting examples are described.

[0077] refer to Figure 6B , the features of the first region 512 and the second region 514 according to the mutual spatial structure include, for example, the geometric center of the first region 512, such as the example reference point labeled "GC1", which is within the enclosing perimeter, such as the example reference perimeter line labeled "EP3" of the second region 514. Since the example first region 512 has a circular perimeter, its geometric centroid is the same as its geometric center GC1, and therefore another feature of the first region 512 and the second region 514 according to the mutual spatial structure includes the geometric centroid of 512 being within the enclosing perimeter EP3 of 514. In addition, the enclosing perimeter of the first portion 512 (e.g., the example reference perimeter line labeled "EP4") is within the enclosing perimeter EP3 of 512. In addition, as Figure 6B As shown, the second region 514 at least partially surrounds or at least partially encloses the first region 512 .

[0078] Technical benefits of the above-described spacing 516 may include, but are not limited to, improved readability of the first region 512 and the second region 514, and benefits of available arrangements of 512 and 514 having the same appearance.

[0079] Table 5 below shows a set of example appearances that may be assigned to the first region 512 of the PR DS single indicator 506, and an example mapping of each appearance to a corresponding presence condition.

[0080] Table 5

[0081] Appearance of the first area 512 PID presence status E1 Present, available for meeting. E2 Absent E3 Be present but not meet.

[0082] Table 6 below shows a set of example appearances that may be assigned to the second region 514 of the PR DS single indicator 506, and an example mapping of each appearance to a corresponding response condition.

[0083] Table 6

[0084] Appearance of the second area 514 PID response status F1 Not Responding F2 Respond to phone calls only F3 Respond to IM only

[0085] Legend (hereinafter referred to as " Figure 5 Legend”) appears in Figure 5 on the upper part and Figures 6A-6I The upper part of each figure in . Figure 5 The legend will Figure 5 and Figures 6A-6I The appearance of the first region 512 is mapped to the values ​​E1, E2, E3 in Table 5, and the appearance of the second region 514 is mapped to the values ​​F1, F2, F3 in Table 6. As described above, it will be understood that the appearance in Figure 5The appearance states visible in the legend corresponding to E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, and F3 are not respective limitations or specifications of the actual visual appearance, as each legend represents a specific color pattern fill from a set of three color patterns.

[0086] Fig. 6A Combination Figure 6B-6I An example larger range of presence-response indication states is shown, which may be achieved through the mappings of Tables 5 and 6.

[0087] refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 5 Legend, the appearance state of the PR DS single indicator 506 in this figure is El-F1. Therefore, looking at Tables 5 and 6, Fig. 6A The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Figure 5 legend, Figure 6B The PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2. Therefore, referring to Table 5 and Table 6, Figure 6B The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Figure 5 legend, Figure 6C PRDS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Table 5 and Table 6, which show Figure 6C The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Fig.6D and Figure 5 legend, Fig.6D PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Tables 5 and 6, which show Fig.6D DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Fig. 6E and Figure 5 legend, Fig. 6E PR DS single indicator 506, Fig. 6E PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Table 5 and Table 6, which show Fig. 6E The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates a presence-response status of "present, available for meeting"-"not responding".

[0088] refer to Fig. 6F and Figure 5 Fill status to appearance status legend, Fig. 6E PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Tables 5 and 6, which show Fig. 6EThe PR DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Figure 6G and Figure 5 legend, Fig. 6E The PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2. Therefore, looking at Tables 5 and 6, Fig. 6E The PRDS single indicator 506 indicates a presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Figure 6H and Figure 5 legend, Figure 6H PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Table 5 and Table 6, which show Figure 6H The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates the presence-response status of "present, available for meeting" - "not responding". Fig.6I and Figure 5 legend, Figure 6H PR DS single indicator 506 has appearance states E1-F2, see Table 5 and Table 6, which show Fig.6I The PR DS single indicator 506 indicates a presence-response status of "present, available for meeting"-"not responding".

[0089] Figure 7 A client-side dashboard 702 is shown, which includes a more fine-grained two-state single indicator of the current presence-response status. As can be seen in the enlarged view on the left side of the figure, the example dashboard 702 may include presence-response status blocks 504-1, 704-2, 704-3, ..., 704-V (collectively referred to as "presence-response status blocks 704" or "blocks 704"). Each block 704 may include a presence-response status two-state single indicator 706 (hereinafter alternatively referred to as "PR DS single indicator 706"), a subject person name field 708, and a subject person image 710. Fig. 8A is an enlarged view of the PR DS single indicator 706 in block 704-1. Fig. 8A Describes the structure of the PR DS single indicator 706. Fig. 8A , each indicator 706 may include a first region 802 that is at least partially surrounded or enclosed by a second region (visible but separately numbered) that may include a first sub-region or ring 804 and a second sub-region or ring 806. It should be understood that as used herein, the term "ring" may refer to a continuous line or region extending along a circular path, or a segmented line or region extending along a circular path, or any combination or sub-combination thereof.

[0090] For the purpose of description, the first sub-region 804 and the second sub-region 806 will be collectively referred to as "second region 804 / 806". The second region 804 / 806 can be separated from the first region 802 by a first gap 808. In one implementation, the first sub-region 804 and the second sub-region 806 of the second region 804 / 806 can be separated by a second gap 810. The implementation of the first gap 806 and the second gap 810 can be, but is not limited to, solid fill.

[0091] Characteristics of the first region 802 and the second region 804 / 806 according to the mutual spatial structure may include, for example, a geometric center of the first region 802, such as an example reference point labeled "GC2", which is within an enclosing perimeter, such as an example reference perimeter line labeled "EP5" of the second region 804 / 806. Since the exemplary first region 802 has a circular perimeter whose geometric centroid is the same as its geometric center GC2, another characteristic of the first region 802 and the second region 804 / 806 according to the mutual spatial structure includes the geometric centroid of 802 being within the enclosing perimeter EP5 of 804 / 806. In addition, the enclosing perimeter of the first portion 802 (e.g., the example reference perimeter line labeled "EP6") is within the enclosing perimeter EP5 of 804 / 806. In addition, as Fig. 8A As shown, the second region 804 / 806 at least partially surrounds or at least partially encloses the first region 802 .

[0092] In one example configuration using the second region described above, the second state appearance may include a first sub-region of the second region 804 / 806 or a first specific appearance of the ring 804 in association with a current response status indicating a non-responsive communication resource. Figures 8A-8F As shown in the figure of FIG. 1 , associated with the current response status of the non-responsive communication resource, the second state appearance may include a first sub-area area 804 or a variation of 804 having an appearance H1.

[0093] In the same or another configuration, associated with a current response condition indicating responding to a communication resource other than a phone (e.g., IM) while not responding to the phone, the second state appearance may include a second specific appearance of the second area first sub-area or ring 804 appearing simultaneously with a first specific appearance of the second area second sub-area or ring 806. Referring again to the Figures 8A-8F As shown in the drawings of , implementations of this appearance may include displaying a first sub-region 804 or a variation of 804 having appearance H2, combined with displaying a second sub-region 806 or a variation of 806 having one of I1 and I2.

[0094] In the same or another configuration, the second state appearance may include a second specific appearance of the first ring concurrent with a second specific appearance of the second ring associated with indicating a current response status of the subject personnel responding to the telephone and other communication resources. Figures 8A-8F As shown in the drawings of , implementations of this appearance may include displaying a first sub-region 804 or a variation of 804 having appearance H2, combined with displaying a second sub-region 806 or a variation of 806 having the other of I1 and I2.

[0095] Table 7

[0096] Appearance of the first area 802 PID presence status G1 Present, available for meeting. G2 Absent G3 Be present but not meet.

[0097] Table 8

[0098]

[0099]

[0100] refer to Figures 8A-8F , and Tables 7 and 8, Fig. 8A A first region 802 having appearance G1 and a second region 804 / 806 having appearance H2, 12 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available, and not responding to phone calls, IMs, and emails. Figure 8B A first region 802 having appearance G1 and a second region 804 / 806 having appearance HI, I1 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available, and responds to phone calls, responds to IMs, and does not respond to emails. Figure 8C A first area 802 having an appearance G2 and a second area 804 / 806 having an appearance H2, I2 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is not present, unavailable for meeting, not responding to phone calls, not responding to IMs, and not responding to emails. Fig.8D A first region 802 having appearance G1 and a second region 804 / 806 having appearance H2, 11 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available for meeting, not responding to phone calls, responding to IMs, not responding to emails. Fig. 8E A first region 802 having appearance G3 and a second region 804 / 806 having appearance H1, I1 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, unavailable for meeting, responding to phone calls, responding to IMs, not responding to emails. Figure 8F A first area 802 having an appearance G2 and a second area 804 / 806 having an appearance H1, I2 are shown, indicating that the subject person is not present and is responding to a phone call, responding to an IM, responding to an email.

[0101] Figures 9A-9F An exemplary alternative structure for a finer-grained PR DS single indicator is shown. Figures 9A-9FThe structure of the example shown is largely similar to Figure 7 and Figures 8A-8F , with the first and second spacers 808 and 810 removed. The resulting structure includes a first region or inner region 902 surrounded by a second region or outer region (visible but not separately numbered), which can be formed by a first sub-region 904 surrounded by a second sub-region or outer sub-region 906. For purposes of illustration, the first sub-region 904 and the second sub-region 906 will be collectively referred to as "second region 904 / 906." Features of the first region 902 and the second region 904 / 906 according to their relative spatial structure can include, for example, a geometric center of the first region 902 within an enclosing perimeter, such as an example reference point labeled "GC3," and, for example, an example reference perimeter line of the second region 904 / 906 labeled "EP7." Since the exemplary first region 902 has a circular perimeter, its geometric centroid is the same as its geometric center GC3, and therefore another feature of the first and second regions 902 and 904 / 906 according to the mutual spatial structure includes that the geometric centroid of 902 is within the enclosing range EP7 of 904 / 906. In addition, the enclosing perimeter of the first region 902 (which can be regarded as the boundary between 902 and 904, but not separately numbered) is within the enclosing perimeter EP7 of 904 / 906. In addition, as Fig. 9A As shown, the second region 904 / 906 at least partially surrounds or at least partially encloses the first region 902 .

[0102] Tables 9 and 10 below, instead of Tables 7 and 8, define example mappings between the respective appearances of the first region 902 and the second region 904 / 906 and the presence-response conditions.

[0103] Table 9

[0104] Appearance of the first area 902 PID presence status J1 Present, available for meeting. J2 Absent J3 Be present but not meet.

[0105] Table 10

[0106]

[0107] References 9A-9F, and Tables 9 and 10, Fig. 9A A first area 902 having appearance J1 and a second area 904 / 906 having appearance K1, L2 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available for meeting, responding to phone calls, responding to IMs, and responding to emails. Fig. 9B A first area 902 having appearance J1 and a second area 904 / 906 having appearance K1, L1 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available for meeting, responding to phone calls, responding to IMs, not responding to emails. Fig. 9CA first area 902 having appearance J2 and a second area 904 / 906 having appearance K2, L2 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is not present, not responding to phone calls, not responding to IMs, not responding to emails. Fig.9D A first area 902 having appearance J1 and second areas 904, 906 having appearance K2, L1 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is not present, available for meeting, not responding to phone calls, not responding to IMs, and not responding to emails. Fig.9E A first area 902 having appearance J3 and a second area 904 / 906 having appearance K1, L1 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is present, available face to face, and responds to phone calls, responds to IMs, and does not respond to emails. Fig.9F A first area 902 having an appearance J2 and a second area 904 / 906 having an appearance K1, L2 are shown. This indicates that the subject person is not present, responding to a phone call, responding to an IM, responding to an email.

[0108] Fig. 10A and 10B One implementation of a PR DS single indicator 1000 is shown that provides a simultaneous indication of a subject person's current response status and a possible next-state response status. In this context, "possible" means, but is not limited to, the subject person's schedule data received at the backend server 102, and an estimated next response status that can be determined, for example, by an estimation process applied at the backend server 102.

[0109] refer to Fig. 10A , implementation 1000 may include a first region 1002, which may be formed, for example, as a circle or an asymmetric ellipse ( Fig. 10A 1004 and 1006). The first sub-region 1004 or the second sub-region 1006 or both may be formed as a circular ring. For the purpose of description, the first sub-region 1004 and the second sub-region 1006 will be collectively referred to as "second region 1004 / 1006." Alternatively, any one or more of the first region 1002, the first sub-region 1004 or the second sub-region 1006 of the second region 1004 / 1006 may be formed with a non-circular perimeter. The second region 1004 / 1006 may surround or partially surround (in Figures 10A-10B (not visible in the figure) first area 1002. Fig. 9A , 9B and 10A, it should be understood that the features of the first region 1002 and the second region 1004 / 1006 according to the relative spatial structure may also include other example features described above with reference to the first region 902 and the second region 904 / 906.

[0110] refer to Fig. 10B , the implementation 1000 may include a temporal presence indicator. The example temporal presence indicator of the figure is constructed as an overlay on the first region 1002 of the current presence status field 1008 and the upcoming next state presence status field 1010, for example.

[0111] Table 11

[0112]

[0113] Table 12

[0114]

[0115] Figures 11A-11I Shown according to Fig. 10A and 10B Example of a time response indication on a single indicator of a PR DS. Referring to Table 12 above, it can be seen that the four possible appearance states (N1, N2, N3, N4) of the second sub-area 1006 in the second area 1004 / 1006 include all three possible first sub-area 1004 appearance states (N1, N2, N3) and add N4. Appearance state N4 indicates that the next state response status of the subject person will be the same as the current response status, which is indicated by the appearance state of the first sub-area 1004 in the second area 1004 / 1006. Without the addition of N4, the joint appearance state of 1004, 1006 of such an instance where there is no change between the current state response status and the next state response status will be 1004 and 1006 with the same appearance state. Areas 1004 and 1006 with the same appearance may introduce technical problems, such as an increase in the time and effort required to scan the dashboard, and the resulting increase in user errors. The technical feature of adding N4 is a solution.

[0116] Fig.11A It shows M1 filling of the current presence status field 1008, M2 filling of the next state presence status field 1010, N1 filling of the second area first sub-area 1004, and N4 filling of the second area second sub-area 1006. Referring to Table 11 and Table 12 above, Fig.11A The state of the PR DS single indicator 1000 of the current presence-responsive status indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, but the upcoming next presence state is absent, and indicates that the subject person is currently unresponsive and will remain "unresponsive" while in the "absent" state.

[0117] Fig. 11BThe same field 1008 is shown with M1 filled and field 1010 with M2 filled, the first sub-area 1004 of the second area 1004 / 1006 with N1 filled, and the second sub-area 1006 with N2 filled. This state of the two-state single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, the upcoming next presence state is absent, currently not responding, and will respond to the phone after entering the absent state.

[0118] Fig. 11C Shows Fig. 11B M1 of field 1008 is filled, M2 of field 1010 is filled, N1 of second area first sub-area 1004 is filled, and N3 of second area second sub-area 1006 is filled. This state of PR DS single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, the next state to come is absent, the subject person is currently not responding, and will respond to IM after entering the absent state.

[0119] Fig.11D The same field 1008 is shown with M1 filled and field 1010 with M2 filled, second area first sub-area 1004 with N2 filled, and second area second sub-area 1006 with N4 filled. This state of the PR DS single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, an absence state is imminent, the subject person is currently responding to calls, and will remain responding to calls when absent.

[0120] Fig.11E Shows Fig.11E M1 of field 1008 is filled, M2 of field 1010 is filled, N2 of second area first sub-area 1004 is filled, and N1 of second area second sub-area 1006 is filled. This state of two-state single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, but an absence state is imminent, and that the subject person currently responds to calls and will not respond when not present.

[0121] Fig.11F It is shown that M2 of field 1008 is populated, M1 of field 1010 is populated, N1 of second area first sub-area 1004 is populated, and N3 of second area second sub-area 1006 is populated. This state of PR DS single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is not currently present, but will be present and will be available for meeting, and is not currently responding, but will respond to IM when present.

[0122] Fig.11GThe same field 1008 is shown with M2 filled, field 1010 with M1 filled, and second area first sub-area 1004 with N1 filled, second area second sub-area 1006 with N4 filled, and this state of the PR DS single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is not currently present, but will be present and will be available for meeting, and that the subject person is currently responding to IM and will remain responding to IM and phone calls when present.

[0123] Fig.11H M2 filling of field 1008 and M1 filling of field 1010, as well as N3 filling of second area first sub-area 1004 and N1 filling of second area second sub-area 1006 are shown, and this state of the two-state single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is currently not present, will be present and will be available for meeting, and that the subject person is currently responding to IM and will not respond when present.

[0124] Fig.11I Shows Fig.11H M2 of field 1008 is filled, M1 of field 1010 is filled, and N3 of the second area first sub-area 1004 is filled, N2 of the second area second sub-area 1006 is filled, and this state of the two-state single indicator 1000 indicates that the subject person is not currently present, will be present and will be available for meeting, and that the subject person currently responds to IM and will respond to calls when present.

[0125] Figures 12A-12D A two-state single indicator of presence-response status is illustrated, such as the one shown above with reference to Figures 10A-10B and 11A-11I, further incorporating features indicative of specific temporal attributes of the subject person's presence-response status. Fig. 12A A general example is shown, which includes Fig. 12A In the example, the time status change indicator "XPT" is inserted or superimposed on the current presence status field 1008. In operation, as shown in FIG. Fig. 12B , 12C As described in FIG. 12D , a specific time may be displayed at the XPT position. The specific time may indicate when the current presence status will change, as indicated by the corresponding appearance states of the current presence status field 1008 and the next presence status field 1010, along with whether the current response status changes or remains unchanged, as indicated by the corresponding appearance states of the first sub-region 1004 and the second sub-region 1006 of the second region 1004 / 1006. For example, the time may be configured as “hours, minutes, AM / PM” or a 24-hour time format.

[0126] Fig. 12A Shown superimposed on the above Fig.11AThe XPT on the display, as described, indicates that the subject person is currently present and available for meeting, the upcoming next state is absent, and indicates that the subject person is currently not responding, and will respond to IM after entering the absent state. The specific display time XPT is the time when the subject person will enter the absent state and respond to IM state.

[0127] Fig. 12B Shown superimposed on the above Fig.11D The specific XPT "4:00PM" on the . Reference 12B and Fig.11D As well as Table 11 and Table 12, it will be understood Fig. 12B Indicates that the subject person is currently present and available, will become absent at 4:00 PM, is currently responding to calls, and will remain responding to calls while absent.

[0128] Fig. 12C Shown superimposed on the above Fig.11D The specific XPT "8:00AM" on the . Reference 12B and Fig.11D , together with Table 11 and Table 12, will understand Fig. 12C Indicates that the subject person is currently absent, will become present at 8:00 AM, is currently responding to IMs, and will remain responding to IMs while present.

[0129] Fig.12D Shown superimposed on the above Fig.11I The same XPT as "8:00AM" on the same XPT. Fig. 12B and Fig.11I , together with Table 11 and Table 12, will understand Fig.12D Indicates that the subject person is not currently present, will be present and available for meeting at 8:00 AM, and that the subject person currently responds to IMs and will respond to phone calls when present.

[0130] The above description and Figures 10A-12D The corresponding visual example in shows an implementation of an overlay indication with a time attribute arranged on an inner area, such as fields 1008 and 1010 covering the first area 1002. It should be understood that such an implementation is for exemplary purposes only and is not intended as any limitation to practice according to the present disclosure. For example, it is contemplated that implementations may include overlays and other switchable appearance aspects of the first sub-area 1004 or the second sub-area 1006 or both of the second area 1004 / 1006.

[0131] The above implementation of the field-response status dual-state single indicator and its examples shows the first area as a circular perimeter inner area surrounded by one or more annular areas. It should be understood that the circular perimeter inner area is only an example, and alternative implementations can form a first area with any shape. For example, but not limited to, the first area can be a non-circular ellipse, or can be a polygon, such as a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon or octagon, or can be a trapezoid or any other asymmetric polygon. The perimeter can also have an irregular form.

[0132] It will also be understood that any described annular area can be replaced by a non-annular form. For example, any described annular area can be replaced by a rectangular, triangular, other polygonal or irregular frame-shaped area. In addition, the circular-annular configuration is only an example configuration and is not intended to be limiting. Various examples of such alternatives are described in more detail in the following sections of this disclosure.

[0133] In addition, the above examples illustrate that the first area is inside or surrounded by the second area of ​​the indicator. It will be understood that this is only an example configuration and is not intended to be limiting. Alternatives may include, but are not limited to, the first area of ​​the indicator is an outer area of ​​the indicator, and the second area of ​​the indicator is an inner area surrounded by the first area.

[0134] Fig.13 An example triangle-circle configuration of one implementation of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator 1300 (hereinafter referred to as "dual-state single indicator 1300") is illustrated for tracking and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person. The dual-state indicator 1300 may include a triangular first area 1302 surrounded by a second area 1304, the second area 1304 being able to be expanded from the perimeter of the triangular first area 1302 (in Fig.13 1304A (visible in FIG. 1304B but not separately numbered) extends to the elliptical outer perimeter 1304A (in FIG. Fig.13 1304). Features of the first and second regions 1302, 1304 according to the relative spatial structure may include, for example, the geometric center of the first region 1302, labeled "GC4", being within the bounding perimeter, for example, within the reference perimeter line of the second region 1304, labeled "EP8". Another feature is that the geometric centroid (not separately labeled) of the triangular first region 1302 is within the bounding perimeter EP8 of the second region 1304. In addition, the bounding perimeter EP9 of the triangular first region 1302 is within the bounding perimeter EP8 of 1304.

[0135] refer to Figure 2 and Fig.13, an example alternative to dashboard 206 can be implemented by replacing each bi-state single indicator 208 with a bi-state single indicator 1300, and its operation can include setting the appearance (e.g., color or pattern, or both) of triangular first area 1302 according to the assignment of first area 216 in Table 1, and setting the appearance of area 1304 according to the assignment of second area 218 in Table 2.

[0136] Fig.14 An example rectangular-circle configuration of another implementation of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator 1400 (hereinafter referred to as "dual-state single indicator 1400") is illustrated for tracking and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person. The dual-state indicator 1400 may include a rectangular first area 1402 surrounded by a second area 1404, the second area 1404 being able to be extended from the perimeter of the rectangular first area 1402 (in Fig.14 1404A) extends to the outer perimeter 1404A of the rectangular shape. Fig.13 and Fig.14 , it can be seen that the surrounding perimeter of the first area 1402 (not in Fig.14 ) relative to the enclosing perimeter of the second region 1404 (not shown in Fig.14 The above-mentioned enclosing perimeter EP9 is analogous to EP8. Fig.14 Features of first region 1402 and second region 1404 may include example features described above with reference to first region 1302 and second region 1304 .

[0137] refer to Figure 2 and Fig.14 Another alternative to dashboard 206 may be implemented by replacing each bi-state single indicator 208 with bi-state single indicator 1400 and setting the appearance of rectangular first region 1402 according to the assignment of first region 216 in Table 1 and setting the appearance of region 1404 according to the assignment of second region 218 in Table 2.

[0138] Fig.15 An example square-square configuration of an implementation of a polygon-polygon dual-state single indicator 1500 (hereinafter referred to as "dual-state single indicator 1500") is illustrated for tracking and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person. The dual-state indicator 1500 may include a rectangular first area 1502 surrounded by a second area 1504, the second area 1504 being able to be extended from the perimeter of the rectangular first area 1502 (in Fig.15 visible in the figure but not separately numbered) extends to the outer perimeter of the rectangle (in Fig.151502 and the second region 1504 according to the relative spatial structure may include, for example, the geometric center of the first region 1502, such as the example reference point labeled "GC5", being within the enclosing perimeter "EP10" of the second region 1504, and the geometric centroid (not separately labeled) of the rectangular first region 1502 being within EP10. Another feature is that the perimeter EP11 of the first region 1502 is within the enclosing perimeter EP10 of 1504.

[0139] refer to Figure 2 Another example alternative to dashboard 206 may be implemented by replacing each bi-state single indicator 208 with bi-state single indicator 1500 and setting the appearance of rectangular first region 1502 according to the assignment of first region 216 in Table 1 and setting the appearance of region 1504 according to the assignment of second region 218 in Table 2.

[0140] Fig.16 An example circle-hexagon configuration of one implementation of a polygon-ellipse dual-state single indicator 1600 (hereinafter referred to as "dual-state single indicator 1600") is shown for tracking and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person. The dual-state indicator 1600 may include a circular first region 1602 surrounded by a second region 1604, the second region 1604 extending from the perimeter of the region 1602 (at Fig.16 visible in the figure but not separately numbered) to the outer perimeter of the hexagon (in Fig.16 visible in the figure but not individually numbered). Figure 2 Another alternative to dashboard 206 may be implemented by replacing each dual-state single indicator 208 with dual-state single indicator 1600 and setting the appearance of circular first region 1602 according to the assignment of first region 216 in Table 1 and setting the appearance of region 1604 according to the assignment of second region 218 in Table 2.

[0141] Fig.17An example circle with a hexagonal-circle configuration of one implementation of an ellipse with a polygonal-ellipse dual-state single indicator (hereinafter referred to as "dual-state single indicator 1700") is illustrated for tracking, distribution, and visual presentation of the current presence-response status of a subject person. The dual-state indicator 1700 may include a circular first area 1702 surrounded by a second area (visible, but not separately numbered), which second area may be formed by a first sub-area 1704 and a surrounding second sub-area 1706. For the purpose of description, the first sub-area 1704 and the second sub-area 1706 will be collectively referred to as "second area 1704 / 1706". The first sub-area 1704 may extend from the circular perimeter of the first area 1702 (visible, but not separately numbered) to the hexagonal inner perimeter of the second sub-area 1706 (visible, but not separately numbered). Features of the first region 1702 and the second region 1704 / 1706 in terms of their spatial configuration relative to each other may include, for example, a geometric center of the first region 1702, such as an example reference point labeled "GC6," within an enclosing perimeter "EP12" of the second region 1704 / 1706, and a geometric centroid (not separately labeled) of the first region 1702 within EP12. Another feature is that the perimeter EP13 of the first region 1702 is within the enclosing perimeter EP12 of the second region 1704 / 1706.

[0142] refer to Figure 7 , Figures 9A-9F and Fig.17 , an alternative to the dashboard 702 can be implemented by replacing each bi-state single indicator 706 with a bi-state single indicator 1700, and setting the appearance of the circular first area 1702 according to the allocation of the first area 902 in Table 9 and setting the appearance of the first sub-area 1704 and the second sub-area 1706 according to the corresponding allocation of the first sub-area and the second sub-area 904 and 906 of the second area 904 / 906 in Table 10.

[0143] Fig.18A Another example rectangle-rectangle implementation 1800A of a polygon-polygon two-state single indicator for tracking, distributing, and visually presenting the current presence-response status of a subject person according to the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig.18A Superimposed reference lines and markings are shown, including the geometric centroid GC7 of the first area 1802, the enclosing perimeter "EP14" of the second area 1804, and the enclosing perimeter EP15 of the first area 1802. Features of the first area 1802 and the second area 1804 according to the mutual spatial structure include, but are not limited to, GC7 within the enclosing perimeter EP14 of the second area 1804, and the enclosing perimeter EP15 of the first area 1802 within the enclosing perimeter EP14 of the second area 1804.

[0144] Fig.18BVariation 1800B is illustrated which includes a segmented form of second region 1804 . Fig.18B The segmented form visible in the diagram consists of four segments or parts, all numbered 1804 and all running along the original Fig.18A The paths of the unsegmented second regions 1804 are aligned. The centroids of the four segmented second regions may be a weighted average of the centroids "CT" of the four regions. For example, the weighting may be based on relative areas. Fig.18B In the example of , the relative areas of the four segments 1804 are the same, so the weights are consistent. Therefore, the average centroid "ACT" can be equidistant from the four centroids CT. Fig.18B As shown, the first region 1802 and the four second regions 1804 are thus kept Fig.18A mutual spatial structure.

[0145] Fig. 18C A further segmented variation 1800C is illustrated that carries two of the four transverse segments 1804 (eg, a pair of segments 1804 that are horizontally separated by the first region 1802). Fig. 18C The second region of the pair has the same area, so the average centroid "ACT" is Fig.18B Same as ACT. Fig.18A The mutual spatial structure of the two is thus maintained.

[0146] Fig.18D and Fig.18E The first region 1802 and the second region 1804 appearance 1880D and 1800E are illustrated using the legend at the top of the figure, which are defined according to Tables 13 and 14 below. The example content of Table 13 copies Table 1, defining the rectangular first region 1802 instead of Figure 2 The example content of Table 14 replicates Table 2, which is modified to define the same as Fig. 22 The second region 216 is opposite to the segmented second region 1804 .

[0147] Table 13

[0148] Appearance of the first area 1802 PID presence status A1 Present, available for meeting. A2 Absent A3 Be present but not meet.

[0149] An example set of three appearances from which the appearance state of the second portion 218 may be selected may include a second region first appearance B1 , a second region second appearance B2 , and a second region third appearance B3 .

[0150] Table 2 below shows, for each of B1, B2, and B3, example corresponding meanings of the appearance state of the second region 218 in terms of the response status of the tracked object person.

[0151] Table 14

[0152] Appearance of the second segment area 1804 PID response status B1 Not Responding B2 Respond to phone calls only B3 Respond to IM only

[0153] refer to Fig.18D In Table 13 and Table 14, the appearance 1800D is A3 and B2, indicating that the presence status is present and available for meeting, and the response status is only responding to phone calls. Fig.18E , Table 13 and Table 14, the appearance 1800E is A1, B3, which indicates that the presence status is present and available for meeting, and the response status is only responding to IM.

[0154] Depend on Fig.18D and 18E The technical features shown include, for example, the indication of multiple different presence and response conditions using a single fixed width image, which is in contrast to the technology that displays such status as a string of icons. Technical advantages of the present technology include, but are not limited to, removing the requirement for a dedicated display area for a complete string of icons, and reducing user effort and user error rate when visually checking the subject person's response status.

[0155] Figures 18A-18E Two segments of the second region 1804 are shown to be displayed with the same appearance, which is for illustrative purposes only. For example, a more fine-grained indication of the response status can be provided by assigning different segments of the second region as sub-regions and then defining the second region appearance as different combinations of sub-region appearances. Fig.19A An example is shown, which may include a first region 1902 surrounded by a second region (not separately numbered) formed, for example, by a combination of a left sub-region 1904L and a right region 1904R. For descriptive purposes, the visible second region may be referred to as "second region 1904". Fig.19A Superimposed example graphic reference marks are shown, including the geometric centroid GC8 of the first area 1902, the enclosing perimeter "EP16" of the second area 1904, and the enclosing perimeter EP17 of the first area 1902. Features of the first area 1902 and the second area 1904 according to the mutual spatial structure include, but are not limited to, GC8 is within the enclosing perimeter EP16 of the second area 1904, and the enclosing perimeter EP17 of the first area 1902 is within the enclosing perimeter EP16 of the second area 1904.

[0156] Figures 19B-19E The appearance 1900B, 1900C, 1900D and 1900E of the first region 1902 and the second region 1904 are illustrated using the legend at the top of the figure, which are defined according to the following Tables 15 and 16. The example content of Table 15 replicates Table 9, which defines the rectangular first region 1902, instead of Figures 9A-9F A circular first area 1902 .

[0157] Table 15

[0158] Appearance of the first area 1902 PID presence status P1 Present, available for meeting. P2 Absent P3 Be present but not meet.

[0159] Table 16 is shown as a modification of Table 10, which defines the segmented second region 1904 according to four combinations of 1904L and 1904R, referred to as R1, R2, R3 and R4, which is different from the second region 904 / 906 in FIG. 9.

[0160] Table 16

[0161]

[0162] refer to Fig.19B , Table 15 and Table 16, the appearance 1900B is P1, R1, which indicates that the presence status is present, available for meeting, and the response status is responding to phone calls, responding to IM, and not responding to emails. Fig.19C , Table 15 and Table 16, the appearance 1900C is P3, R2, which indicates that the presence status is present, cannot meet, and the response status is responding to phone calls, responding to IM, and responding to emails. Fig.19D , Table 15 and Table 16, appearance 1900D is P2, R3, which indicates that the presence status is absent, and the response status is not responding to phone calls, responding to IM, and not responding to emails. Fig.19E , Tables 15 and 16, appearance 1900E is P1, R4, which indicates that the presence status is present, available for meeting, and the response status is not responding to phone calls, not responding to IMs, and not responding to emails.

[0163] Figures 20A-20L Illustrated are eight respective first region 2002 and second region 2004 appearances in an example of another implementation of a mutual spatial structured dual-state single indicator of current presence-response according to the present disclosure. Figures 20A-20L The legend at the top of the figure illustrates the first region 2002 and second region 2002 appearances 2000A to 2000L, which are defined according to Tables 17 and 18 below.

[0164] Table 17

[0165] First Area 2002 Appearance PID presence status S1 Present, available for meeting. S2 Absent S3 Be present but not meet.

[0166] An example set of three appearances from which the appearance state of the second portion 218 may be selected may include a second region first appearance B1 , a second region second appearance B2 , and a second region third appearance B3 .

[0167] Table 2 below shows example corresponding meanings of the second region 218 appearance state in terms of the response status of the tracked object person for each of B1, B2, and B3.

[0168] Table 18

[0169] Segment 2nd Area 2004 Appearance PID response status T1 Not Responding T2 Respond to phone calls only T3 Respond to IM only T4 Respond to phone calls, IMs, and emails.

[0170] refer to Fig. 20A , Table 17 and Table 18, the appearance 2000A is S1, T1, which indicates that the presence status is present, available for meeting, and the response status is not responsive. Continuing to refer to Table 17 and Table 18, Fig. 20B Appearance 2000B is S1, T2, which indicates that the presence status is present and available for meeting, and the response status is to respond to calls only; Fig. 20C Appearance 2000C is S1, T3, which indicates that the presence status is present and available for meeting, and the response status is only responding to IM; Fig.20D Appearance 2000D is S1, T4 indicating presence is present, available for meeting, and response status is responding to phone, IM and email. Fig.20E Appearance 2000E is S2, T1, which indicates that the presence status is absent and the response status is unresponsive; Fig.20F Appearance 2000E is S2, T2, which indicates that the presence status is absent and the response status is responding to calls only; Figure 20G Appearance 2000G is S2, T3, which indicates that the presence status is absent, and the response status is only responding to IM; Fig. 20H Appearance 2000H is S2, T4, which indicates that the presence status is absent and the response status is responding to phone calls, IMs, and emails. Continuing to refer to Tables 17 and 18, Fig.20I Appearance 2000I is S3, T1, which indicates that the presence status is present, unavailable for meeting, and the response status is unresponsive; Fig. 20J Appearance 2000J is S3, T2, which indicates that the presence status is present, unavailable for meeting, and the response status is responding to calls only; Figure 20K Appearance 2000G is S3, T3, which indicates that the presence status is present, unavailable for meeting, and the response status is only responding to IM; Figure 20L Appearance 2000L is S3, T4, which indicates that the presence status is present, unavailable for meeting, and the response status is responding to phone calls, IMs, and emails.

[0171] Figures 20A-20L The technical features shown include, for example, using a single fixed width image to indicate multiple different presence and response conditions, which is different from the technology that displays such status as a string of icons. Technical advantages of the present technology include, but are not limited to, removing the requirement for a dedicated display area for a complete string of icons, and reducing user effort and user error rate when visually checking the responsiveness status of the subject person.

[0172] Fig.21 Functional block diagram 2100 shows an example operation flow (hereinafter referred to as "flow 2100") in the process of constructing a client-side dashboard of a two-state single indicator of the presence status and response status of a subject person. Fig.21The illustrated operation example can be applied to field-response status tracking, distribution, and visual presentation. The operations in process 2100 can be performed, for example, by Figure 1 The system 100 client 106, or the client 108, or any one of the two is executed. It should be understood that different clients can present the presence-response status for different target personnel and perform their updates. Therefore, according to the process 2100, different clients can perform their respective update instances in an asynchronous manner.

[0173] It should be understood that Fig.21 The purpose of the ordering of blocks and the functional assignment of blocks is to describe in a linear fashion the related inputs received, the logical functions performed in response, and the outputs from those functions. Fig.21 The ordering of the blocks and the assignment of functions to the blocks are not intended to constrain the client processing resources to perform operations in the same order as the blocks, or in groupings corresponding to the assignment of functions to the blocks.

[0174] Operations according to flow 2100 may proceed from any start 2102 to 2104, for example, in response to initialization of a client-side presence-response status of a particular subject person. Operations at 2104 may include receiving data indicating a current presence status of the subject person and data indicating a current response status of the subject person. The data indicating a current presence status of the subject person received at 2104 will be generally referred to as "DPS data" in this description and may be referred to as "DPS data" in the context of the present embodiment of the present invention. Fig.21 The data indicating the current presence status of the subject person received at 2104 will generally be referred to as "RSR data" in this description, which appears in Fig.21 The data received at 2104 may include information indicating the identity of the subject person associated with the DPS and RSR data (in Fig.21 It should be understood that, as used herein, "DPS data" is a coined representation of the word string "data indicating the current presence of the subject person" and has no inherent meaning. It should be understood that "RSR data" is a coined representation of the word string "data indicating the current response of the subject person" for the present description and has no inherent meaning.

[0175] With respect to the DPS data and RSR data received at 2104, such data may be received from the backend server 102 as direct DPS or RSR updates or instructions. Such updates may be provided, for example, by a software module on the backend server 102 (in Fig.21 Such a module may, for example, receive various DPS and RSR data, and such data may be of varying reliability, and then input such data into a classification or estimation process ( Fig.21The operation at 2104 for receiving updates may include the client sending a request to the backend server 102 for DPS updates or RSR updates or both. In other words, the client may be configured to pull such updates from 102. Alternatively or additionally, the operation at 2104 may include receiving DPS or RSR updates or both pushed by the backend server 102. The operation at 2104 may include receiving explicit DPS data ( Fig.21 ) or explicit RSR data ( Fig.21 The subject person may receive DPS data or RSR data or both (not visible in the communication) or both. For example, a subject person input notification (e.g., via a graphical user interface) may be provided. Examples may include, but are not limited to, "I'm not there," "I'm present," or "I'm present, but currently unavailable for direct access," or "...unable to be directly face-to-face." In addition to, for example, serving as a backup for at least some DPS updates and / or RSR updates performed at the backend server 102, a peer-to-peer communication option may be provided. For example, with reference to the above example explicit notification of "I'm present," peer-to-peer communication of notifications may be performed, for example, in any event where the connection to the backend server 102 is lost.

[0176] According to the process of flow 2100, from 2104 to 2106, an operation of generating a client-side version or copy of the current presence-response status of the subject person is applied. For example, the version can be the initial current presence-response status of the subject person. The presence-response status at 2106 can include the content of the status described in the above reference table 1-12. Flow 2100 can proceed from 2106 to 2108, and an operation of generating or selecting a bi-state indicator appearance is applied, which visually presents the current presence-response status of the subject person. The output generated or selected can be a pair of appearance identifiers, such as appearing in the corresponding left column of table 1-12.

[0177] Apply the above operation from 2106 to 2108 to Figure 2DS single indicator 210 and example Tables 1-12, a high-level logic flow of such operations may be: Based on the presence-response status generated at 2106, two tables in Tables 1-12 are identified, such that one of the two has an entry for the current presence status and the other has an entry for the current response status. The two entries are the first state appearance identifier and the second state appearance identifier, respectively. Then, for example, in the appearance of the presence-response legend presented in the figure, a selection is performed for the legend including the first state appearance identifier and the second state appearance identifier found in the two tables. Then, video data is generated or retrieved that will cause a DA single indicator, such as one of the PR DS single indicators 210 in the instrument panel 206, to be displayed, having an appearance such as found by referencing the legend.

[0178] A specific example according to the above high-level logic flow can be as follows: Assume that 2106 generates the presence-response status of "present, not available for meeting" and "only responding to IM". Referring to Tables 1-12, Tables 1 and 2 are examples of two tables, and the two tables combined have entries for "present, not available for meeting" and "only responding to IM". Entries show A3-B3. Reference Figure 2 The top legend, the PR DS single indicator combination with the first state appearance identifier and the second state appearance identifier is Figure 2 A PR DS single indicator 210 is visible in block 208-R.

[0179] Operations in accordance with the process of flow 2100 may proceed from 2110 to 2112, where operations may be applied to display a PR DS single indicator having the appearance selected at 2108 on, for example, UI 202. Operations may proceed from 2112 to a logical wait or loop state, such as the example represented by branch logic 2114 and branch logic 2116. Fig.21 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , an exit condition from a logical wait or loop state may be, for example, receiving DPS update data at 2116 or receiving RSR update data at 2118. Upon the exit condition, the operation may return and repeat 2110 using updated DPS or RSR data or both, then proceed to 2112, then to 2114 / 2116.

[0180] refer to Fig.21 , a dashed path is shown extending from starting point 2102 to 2110. For example, in response to a direct DPS or RSR update from server 102, flow 2100 may continue on this path, since such an update may bypass 2104.

[0181] Fig. 22A functional block diagram 2200 of an example operational flow in a process of tracking and updating the presence-response status of a subject person on the server side in a system for presence-response status tracking and distribution according to the present disclosure is shown. The operations will be described assuming that the backend server 102 stores a previously generated server current presence status and a previously generated server current response status in association with a given subject person, and stores a previously generated client current presence status and a previously generated client current response status. This can enable the server to store a current presence status and a current response status in association with a given subject person, which can include information that is not normally sent to a client. It can also enable the server 102 to configure multiple client-specific versions of the current presence-response status of a given person as a subject person for multiple clients in association with the person.

[0182] According to the operation of process 2200, when receiving the presence status related data, it is possible to proceed to 2204 from any start 2202, apply the operation associated with such reception, and then proceed to 2206, where the operation can be applied to update the server current presence status. Start 2202 can be used as the above-mentioned start to 2204, and after receiving the response status related data, it can be a logical start to proceed to 2208 to apply the operation in such reception, and from 2208, it can proceed to 2210 and apply the operation for updating the server current response status. As described above, the server current presence status and the server current response status can be different from the client version of such status. Associated with the difference, the implementation can apply conditions or rules to determine whether one or both of the updates at 2206 and 2210 need to update the client version of the current presence status or the current response status. Fig. 22 Block branching logic 2212 may be an example of such a condition or rule. If the condition or rule does not qualify for updating at 2206 and 2210 when the client version needs to be updated, then process 2200 may return to a waiting state, which is Fig. 22 The position can be seen as starting at 2202 and between blocks 2204 and 2208.

[0183] When the condition or rule applied at logical branch 2212 qualifies for updating at 2206 or 2210 to update the client presence-response status of the subject person, the update can be applied and flow 2200 can proceed to 2214. At 2214, operations can be applied to select a two-state single indicator first state appearance corresponding to the updated client version of the current presence status and select a two-state single indicator second state appearance corresponding to the updated client version of the current response status. The operations at 2214 can be logically combined with applying the above Tables 1-12 and Figure 2-15 The corresponding legends at the upper part of one or more of are analogous.

[0184] In one implementation, after applying the operation at 2214, flow 2200 can proceed to 2216, where an operation can be applied to generate a two-state single indicator image according to the first state appearance and the second state appearance selected at 2214. For example, such an appearance can implement or modify Figures 3A-3I , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figures 6A-6I , Figure 7 or Figures 8A-8F In addition, the operation at or associated with 2216 may include generating a two-state single indicator image to include the above reference Figures 10A to 12D Any of the current state-next state characteristics described in one or more of . From 2216, process 2200 can return to start 2202.

[0185] Fig.23 is a block diagram 2300 illustrating an example software architecture 2302, portions of which may be used in conjunction with the various hardware architectures described herein that may implement any of the features described above. Fig.23 is a non-limiting example of a software architecture, and it should be understood that many other architectures can be implemented to facilitate the functionality described herein. The software architecture 2302 can be executed on hardware such as client devices, local application providers, network servers, server clusters, external services, and other servers.

[0186] The representative hardware layer 2304 includes a processing unit 2306 and associated executable instructions 2308. The executable instructions 2308 represent executable instructions of the software architecture 2302, including implementations of the methods, modules, etc. described herein. The hardware layer 2304 includes a memory / storage device 2310 that may include executable instructions 2308 and accompanying data. The hardware layer 2304 may also include other hardware modules 2312. The instructions 2308 held by the processing unit 2308 may be part of the instructions 2308 held by the memory / storage device 2310.

[0187] Example software architecture 2302 can be conceptualized as layers, each providing various functions. For example, software architecture 2302 may include operating system (OS) 2314, library 2316, framework 2318, application 2320, and presentation layer 2324. In operation, application 2320 and / or other components within a layer may invoke API calls 2324 to other layers and receive corresponding results 2326. The layers shown are representative, and other software architectures may include additional or different layers. For example, some mobile or dedicated operating systems may not provide framework / middleware 2318.

[0188] OS2314 can manage hardware resources and provide public services. OS2314 may include, for example, kernel 2328, service 2330, and driver 2332. Kernel 2328 may act as an abstraction layer between hardware layer 2304 and other software layers. For example, kernel 2328 may provide memory management, processor management (e.g., scheduling), component management, networking, security settings, etc. Service 2330 may provide other public services for other software layers. Driver 2332 may perform control or interface with underlying hardware layer 2304. For example, driver 2332 may include display driver, camera driver, memory / storage driver, peripheral device driver (e.g., via Universal Serial Bus (USB)), network and / or wireless communication driver, audio driver, etc., depending on the hardware and / or software configuration.

[0189] The library 2316 may provide a common infrastructure that may be used by the application 2320 and / or other components and / or layers. The library 2316 may provide functions for other software modules to use to perform tasks, rather than directly interacting with the OS 2314. The library 2316 may include functions that may provide functions such as memory allocation, string manipulation, and file operations. The library 2316 may include an API library 2336, such as a media library (e.g., supporting the presentation and manipulation of image, sound, and / or video data formats), a graphics library (e.g., an OpenGL library for rendering 2D and 3D graphics on a display), a database library (e.g., SQLite or other relational database functions), and a Web library (e.g., WebKit, which may provide Web browsing functionality). The library 2316 may include other libraries 2338 to provide functionality for the application 2320 and other software modules.

[0190] Framework 2318 (sometimes also referred to as middleware) can provide a higher level common infrastructure that can be used by application 2320 and / or other software modules. For example, framework 2318 can provide graphical user interface (GUI) functionality, advanced resource management, or advanced location services. Framework 2318 can provide a series of other APIs for application 2320 and / or other software modules.

[0191] Applications 2320 may include built-in applications 2320 and / or third-party applications 2322. Examples of built-in applications 2320 may include, but are not limited to, contact applications, browser applications, location applications, media applications, messaging applications, and / or game applications. Third-party applications 2322 may include any application developed by an entity other than the vendor of a particular system. Applications 2320 may use the functionality available via OS 2314, library 2316, framework 2318, and presentation layer 2324 to create a user interface to interact with a user.

[0192] The software architecture 2302 may include a virtual machine 2328. The virtual machine 2328 may provide, for example, an execution environment for an application / module to run as if it were on a hardware machine (such as, for example, Fig.23 The virtual machine 2328 may be hosted by a host OS (e.g., OS 2314) or a hypervisor and may have a virtual machine monitor 2326 that may manage the operation of the virtual machine 2328 and interoperation with the host operating system. Software architecture 2302 that may be different from software architecture 2302 outside the virtual machine may be executed within the virtual machine 2328, such as OS 2350, libraries 2352, frameworks 2354, applications 2356, and / or presentation layer 2358.

[0193] Fig.24 2400 is a block diagram showing components of an example machine 2400 that is configured to read instructions from a machine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) and perform any of the features described herein. The example machine 2400 is in the form of a computer system in which instructions 2416 (e.g., in the form of software components) for causing the machine 2400 to perform any of the features described herein can be executed. The instructions 2416 can therefore be used to implement the methods or components described herein. The instructions 2416 cause the unprogrammed and / or unconfigured machine 2400 to operate as a specific machine configured to perform the described features. The machine 2400 can be configured to operate as a standalone device or can be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 2400 can operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a node in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The machine 2400 may be implemented as, for example, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), a gaming and / or entertainment system, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch), and an Internet of Things (IoT) device. In addition, although only a single machine 2400 is shown, the term "machine" includes a collection of machines that individually or jointly execute instructions 2416.

[0194] The machine 2400 may include a processor 2410, a memory 2430, and I / O components 2450, which may be communicatively coupled via, for example, a bus 2402. The bus 2402 may include multiple buses that couple various elements of the machine 2400 via various bus technologies and protocols. In an example, the processor 2410 (including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, or a suitable combination thereof) may include one or more more processors 2412a to 2412n that may execute instructions 2416 and process data. In some examples, one or more processors 2410 may execute instructions provided or identified by one or more other processors 2410. The term "processor" includes a multi-core processor that includes cores that can execute instructions simultaneously. Although Fig.24 Multiple processors are shown, and machine 2400 may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors each with a single core, multiple processors each with multiple cores, or any combination thereof. In some examples, machine 2400 may include multiple processors distributed across multiple machines.

[0195] The memory / storage 2430 may include a main memory 2432, a static memory 2434 or other memory, and a storage unit 2436, both of which are accessible by the processor 2410, such as via the bus 2402. The storage unit 2436 and the memory 2432, 2434 store instructions 2416 that embody any one or more of the functions described herein. The memory / storage 2430 may also store temporary, intermediate, and / or long-term data for the processor 2410. During execution thereof, the instructions 2416 may also reside, in whole or in part, within the memory 2432, 2434, within the storage unit 2436, within at least one of the processors 2410 (e.g., within a command buffer or cache memory), within the memory at least one I / O component 2450, or any suitable combination thereof. Therefore, the memory 2432, 2434, the storage unit 2436, the memory in the processor 2410, and the memory in the I / O component 2450 are examples of machine-readable media.

[0196] As used herein, a "machine-readable medium" refers to a device that is capable of temporarily or permanently storing instructions and data that cause the machine 2400 to operate in a particular manner. The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein does not include transient electrical or electromagnetic signals per se (e.g., on a carrier wave propagating through the medium); thus, the term "machine-readable medium" may be considered to be both tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory tangible machine-readable media may include, but are not limited to, non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory or read-only memory (ROM)), volatile memory (e.g., static random access memory (RAM) or dynamic RAM), buffer memory, cache memory, optical storage media, magnetic storage media and devices, network accessible or cloud storage, other types of storage, and / or any suitable combination thereof. The term "machine-readable medium" applies to a single medium or a combination of multiple media used to store instructions (e.g., instructions 2416) executed by the machine 2400, such that the instructions, when executed by one or more processors 2410 of the machine 2400, cause the machine 2400 to perform one or more features described herein. Thus, a “machine-readable medium” may refer to a single storage device, as well as a “cloud-based” storage system or storage network that includes multiple storage devices or devices.

[0197] I / O components 2450 may include a variety of hardware components suitable for receiving input, providing output, generating output, transmitting information, exchanging information, capturing measurements, etc. The specific I / O components 2450 included in a particular machine will depend on the type and / or function of the machine. For example, a mobile device such as a mobile phone may include a touch input device, while a headless server or IoT device may not include such a touch input device. Fig.24 The specific examples of I / O components shown are by no means limiting, and other types of components may be included in the machine 2400. The grouping of I / O components 2450 is merely to simplify the discussion, and the grouping is by no means limiting. In various examples, the I / O components 2450 may include a user output component 2452 and a user input component 2454. The user output component 2452 may include, for example, a display component (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a projector) for displaying information, an acoustic component (e.g., a speaker), a tactile component (e.g., a vibration motor or a force feedback device), and / or other signal generators. The user input component 2454 may include, for example, an alphanumeric input component (e.g., a keyboard or a touch screen), a pointing component (e.g., a mouse device, a touch pad, or another pointing tool), and / or a tactile input component (e.g., a physical button or touch screen providing a position and / or a touch force or a touch gesture), configured to receive various user inputs, such as user commands and / or selections.

[0198] In some examples, I / O components 2450 may include biometric components 2456 and / or positioning components 2462, as well as a wide array of other environmental sensor components. Biometric components 2456 may include, for example, components for detecting body expressions (e.g., facial expressions, vocal expressions, hand or body gestures, or eye tracking), measuring biosignals (e.g., heart rate or brain waves), and identifying people (e.g., through voice-based, retinal and / or facial recognition). Positioning components 2462 may include, for example, position sensors (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) receivers), altitude sensors (e.g., barometric pressure sensors from which altitude can be derived), and / or orientation sensors (e.g., magnetometers).

[0199] I / O components 2450 may include communication components 2464 that implement a variety of technologies operable to couple machine 2400 to network 2470 and / or device 2480 via respective communication couplings 2472 and 2482. Communication components 2464 may include one or more network interface components or other suitable devices to interface with network 2470. Communication components 2464 may include, for example, components suitable for providing wired communication, wireless communication, cellular communication, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth communication, Wi-Fi, and / or communication by other means. Device 2480 may include other machines or various peripheral devices (e.g., coupled via USB).

[0200] In some examples, the communication component 2464 can detect the identifier or include a component suitable for detecting the identifier. For example, the communication component 664 can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, an NFC detector, an optical sensor (e.g., a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional barcode, or other optical code), and / or an acoustic detector (e.g., a microphone to identify an audio signal of a tag). In some examples, the location information can be determined based on information from the communication component 2462, such as, but not limited to, geographic location via an Internet Protocol (IP) address, location via Wi-Fi, cellular, NFC, Bluetooth, or other wireless station identification and / or signal triangulation.

[0201] refer to Figure 1 , 2, 3A-3I and 24, an example operation in a client-side process will be described. The description assumes that a processor machine, such as machine 2400, is associated with a client device (e.g., one of clients 106 or 108) (e.g., a component thereof), and stores specific instructions 2416 in its instruction memory 2432, 2434. Instructions 2416 may include instructions that, when executed by machine 2400, cause the machine to receive data indicating the current presence status of a subject person and data indicating the current response status of the person from a network (e.g., system 100 network 110) via a network interface (e.g., network interface server 112). Such data may be provided by the back-end server 102 through its access to the current presence / response database 104. The data may be provided, for example, as a push operation of the back-end server 102, or in response to a request from a client (106 or 108). The data from the back-end server 102 may include information associating the subject person with the received data indicating the current presence status and the current response status.

[0202] The subject person's presence may be relative to a reference, such as a specific cubicle or office within an office building housing client 106 (in Figure 1 Response conditions may be associated with a given plurality or group of communication resources (e.g., email, IM, and voice calls).

[0203] When executed by the machine 2400, the instructions 2416 may cause the machine to display an indicator image on the UI screen 202 having an appearance based at least in part on the status data received from the backend server 102. For example, the name and image of the subject person may have appeared in the name field 212 and the image field 214 of the second PR status block 208-2, respectively. In one example implementation, the backend server 102 may be configured to provide direct display data to the client as data indicating the current presence status and the current response status of the subject person. In other words, assuming that the area 216 implements the first area of ​​the indicator image and the area 218 implements the second area, the status data received from the backend server 102 may be the appearance information of these areas. In such an implementation, the server-side operation may determine the current presence status and the current response status of the subject person, and send the status information to the client as display-ready data. For example, the received status data may include a first state appearance of the first area 216 and a second state appearance of the second area 218, and the first and second state appearances respectively indicate the current presence status and the current response status determined by the server side.

[0204] In another example client-side implementation, the server-side functionality may include certain collection, pre-processing, and formatting of state-related data, and the client machine (e.g., an instance of machine 2400), in accordance with its instructions 2416, may select a first state appearance from the first set of appearances based at least in part on data received (from backend server 102) indicating a current presence status, and may select a second state appearance from the second set of appearances based at least in part on data received indicating a current responsiveness status. With respect to the content of the first and second sets, for the first set, an example representation of such content may be Figure 2 An example representation of such content may be the visual legend appearances A1, A2 and A3, and a second set may be the appearances B1, B2 and B3 of the same legend.

[0205] As described above, one or more client-side implementations in the client may include or provide a "pull" function in the client device for updating the appearance of the indicator image. For example, the instructions 2416 may include instructions that, when executed by the machine 2400, cause the machine to send a status update request to a server (e.g., the backend server 102) via a network interface to the network. The instructions 2416 may also include instructions that, upon receiving (e.g., from the backend server 102) presence update data in response to an earlier sent status update request, the instructions may cause the machine 2400 to determine whether to update the current presence status based at least in part on the received presence update data. The instructions 2416 may include instructions that, when the client machine determines that 2400 updates the current presence status, the instructions may cause the machine 2400 to select an updated first state appearance from the first set of appearances and update the display of the first area according to the selected update. Referring to the example assumption above, if the name and image of the subject person are in the second PR status block 208-2, the example operation may be to update the first state appearance of the area 216 in the block 208-2.

[0206] An implementation in a client device may include, for example, instructions 2416 associated with the above-mentioned "pull" function, which, when executed by machine 2400, may enable the machine to determine whether to update the current response status based at least in part on the received response update data when receiving (e.g., from the backend server 102) response update data in response to a client's request for a status update, and when determining to update the current response status, select an updated second state appearance from a second group of appearances (e.g., from B1, B2, and B3), and update the display according to the updated second state appearance to display a second area (e.g., the second area 218 of the second PR status block 208-2).

[0207] Various implementations and their respective features and operations are described above as including the determination of the presence and response status of the subject personnel, server side or client side, or both. Additional features may include manually setting, resetting and overriding the presence status, response status, or both. For example, one or more of the client devices 106 and 108 may include, for example, via a touch screen field, for manual input. An example of such a feature may include an "I am present, but not accessible for face-to-face meetings" button (not shown separately in the figure). An optional variation may include, for example, an administrator privilege override, which may be set for one or more personnel in the presence status or response status or both. Such a feature may include a communication of a manual override from a client device to, for example, a back-end server 102.

[0208] Although various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that more embodiments and implementations within the scope of these embodiments are possible. Although many possible feature combinations are shown in the drawings and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are also possible. Unless specifically limited, any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with any other feature or element in any other embodiment or replace any other feature or element. Therefore, it should be understood that any feature shown and / or discussed in this disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except according to the attached claims and their equivalents. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

[0209] Typically, the functionality described here (e.g., Figure 1-5 The features shown in (shown in) can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic, finite state machines, and / or other circuits), or a combination of these implementations. In the case of a software implementation, the program code performs specified tasks when executed on a processor (e.g., one or more CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or more machine-readable storage devices. The features of the techniques described herein are system-independent, meaning that these techniques can be implemented on a variety of computing systems with a variety of processors. For example, an implementation may include an entity (e.g., software) that causes hardware to perform operations, such as processor function blocks, etc. For example, a hardware device may include a machine-readable medium that may be configured to maintain instructions that cause a hardware device (including an operating system and associated hardware executed thereon) to perform operations. Thus, instructions can be used to configure an operating system and associated hardware to perform operations, thereby configuring or otherwise adapting the hardware device to perform the above-mentioned functions. Instructions may be provided to a hardware element that executes the instructions by a machine-readable medium through a variety of different configurations.

[0210] Although what is considered to be the best mode and / or other examples have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications may be made therein and the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied to many applications, only some of which are described herein. The following claims are intended to claim any and all applications, modifications, and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

[0211] Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, amplitudes, dimensions and other specifications set forth in this specification (including the claims that follow) are approximate and not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions to which they are related and with the customary practices in the art to which they belong.

[0212] The scope of protection is limited only by the claims that now follow. When interpreted in light of this specification and the subsequent prosecution history, the scope is intended and should be interpreted to be consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language used in the claims and to include all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no claims are intended to include subject matter that fails to meet the requirements of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a manner. Any unexpected inclusion of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

[0213] Except as stated immediately above, nothing stated or described is intended or should be construed as causing any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage or equivalent to be conferred to the public regardless of whether or not it is mentioned in the claims.

[0214] It should be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meanings accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study unless specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

[0215] Relational terms such as first and second, etc. may be used alone to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element beginning with "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0216] An abstract of the present disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly identify the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all of the disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of simplifying the present disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than the claim expressly recites. On the contrary, as reflected in the following claims, the inventive subject matter lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed example. Therefore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim independently serving as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A system for providing a visual indication of the presence and response status of personnel, comprising: a network interface configured to connect the system to a communications network; processor; as well as A memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the system to perform the following functions: Receiving presence and response data of a person from the communication network, the presence and response data comprising: a current presence status indicating the physical location of the person; indicating a current response status of the person relative to a response status of a group of communications resources; and an identifier of the person associated with the current presence status and the current response status; Based on the received presence and response data, displaying a single indicator image via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the system, the single indicator image indicating the current presence status and the current response status of the person in a non-textual manner, the single indicator having a geometric shape, the geometric shape comprising: a first area having a first visual appearance, the first visual appearance comprising a first color, a first visible pattern, or a first color-visible pattern combination representing the current presence of the person; and a second area having a second visual appearance, the second visual appearance comprising a second color, a second visually visible pattern, or a second color-visible pattern combination representing the current response status of the person; receiving updated presence and response data from the communications network, the updated presence and response data indicating an update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person; and In response to receiving the updated presence and response data, the first visual appearance or the second visual appearance is changed to reflect the update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first area and the second area are displayed according to at least one of a plurality of spatial arrangements, the plurality of spatial arrangements comprising: a first spatial arrangement such that a geometric center of one of the first region and the second region is within an enclosing perimeter of the other of the first region and the second region; a second spatial arrangement such that a geometric centroid of one of the first area and the second area is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first area and the second area; a third spatial arrangement such that a minimum enclosing perimeter of one of the first area and the second area is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first area and the second area; and A fourth spatial arrangement is provided so that a geometric centroid of one of the first region and the second region is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first region and the second region.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first region is directly adjacent to the second region.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to: selecting the first visual appearance from a first set of appearances based on the received presence data, the first set of appearances comprising a first set of colors, a first set of visible patterns, and a first set of color-visible pattern combinations; as well as The second visual appearance is selected from a second set of appearances based on the received response data, the second set of appearances comprising a second set of colors, a second set of visually visible patterns, and a second set of color-visibly visible pattern combinations.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein: the second region includes a first ring and a second ring, the second ring at least partially surrounding the first ring, and the second visual appearance includes a combination of a third visual appearance of the first ring and a fourth visual appearance of the second ring, and The instructions, when executed by the processor, also cause the processor to control the system to perform the following operations: select a pair of mutually different appearances from the second group of appearances, including: (i) a first color, a first visible pattern, or a first color-visible pattern combination for the first ring and (ii) a second color, a second visible pattern, or a second color-visible pattern combination for the second ring.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein: The first region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region, and, The executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: receiving, from a server via the communication network, next presence status data indicating a next presence status of the person; selecting a third visual appearance from the first set of appearances based on the received next presence status data, displaying, via the GUI, the first visual appearance of the first sub-region for the first region of the single indicator image; as well as The third visual appearance for the second sub-region of the first region of the single indicator image is displayed via the GUI.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein: The second area includes a first ring and a second ring, the second ring at least partially surrounding the first ring, and the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to perform the following operations: receiving, from a server via the communication network, next response status data indicating a next response status of the person; selecting a third visual appearance from the second set of appearances based on the received next response status data, displaying, via the GUI, the first visual appearance of the first ring for the second area of ​​the single indicator image; as well as The third visual appearance of the second ring for the second area of ​​the single indicator image is displayed via the GUI.

8. A method of operating a data processing system for providing a visual indication of the presence and responsiveness of personnel, comprising: Receiving presence and response data of a person from a communication network, the presence and response data comprising: a current presence status indicating the physical location of the person; indicating a current response status of the person relative to a response status of a group of communications resources; and an identifier of the person associated with the current presence status and the current response status; Based on the received presence and response data, displaying a single indicator image via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the data processing system, the single indicator image indicating the current presence status and the current response status of the person in a non-textual manner, the single indicator having a geometric shape, the geometric shape comprising: a first area having a first visual appearance, the first visual appearance comprising a first color, a first visible pattern, or a first color-visible pattern combination representing the current presence of the person; and a second area having a second visual appearance, the second visual appearance comprising a second color, a second visually visible pattern, or a second color-visible pattern combination representing the current response status of the person; receiving updated presence and response data from the communications network, the updated presence and response data indicating an update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person; and In response to receiving the updated presence and response data, the first visual appearance or the second visual appearance is changed to reflect the update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: The first area and the second area are displayed according to at least one of a plurality of spatial arrangements, the plurality of spatial arrangements comprising: a first spatial arrangement such that a geometric center of one of the first region and the second region is within an enclosing perimeter of the other of the first region and the second region; a second spatial arrangement such that a geometric centroid of one of the first area and the second area is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first area and the second area; a third spatial arrangement such that a minimum enclosing perimeter of one of the first area and the second area is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first area and the second area; and A fourth spatial arrangement is provided so that a geometric centroid of one of the first region and the second region is within a minimum enclosing perimeter of the other of the first region and the second region.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein: The first region is directly adjacent to the second region.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: selecting the first visual appearance from a first set of appearances based on the received presence data, the first set of appearances comprising a first set of colors, a first set of visible patterns, and a first set of color-visible pattern combinations; as well as The second visual appearance is selected from a second set of appearances based on the received response data, the second set of appearances comprising a second set of colors, a second set of visually visible patterns, and a second set of color-visibly visible pattern combinations.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the second region includes a first ring and a second ring, the second ring at least partially surrounding the first ring, and the second visual appearance includes a combination of a third visual appearance of the first ring and a fourth visual appearance of the second ring, The method also includes: selecting a pair of mutually different appearances from the second group of appearances, including: (i) a first color, a first visible pattern, or a first color-visible pattern combination for the first ring and (ii) a second color, a second visible pattern, or a second color-visible pattern combination for the second ring.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein: The first region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region, and, The method further comprises: receiving, from a server via the communication network, next presence status data indicating a next presence status of the person; selecting a third visual appearance from the first set of appearances based on the received next presence status data, displaying, via the GUI, the first visual appearance of the first sub-region for the first region of the single indicator image; and The third visual appearance of the second sub-region of the first region for the single indicator image is displayed via the GUI.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: The second region includes a first ring and a second ring, the second ring at least partially surrounding the first ring, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, from a server via the communication network, next response status data indicating a next response status of the person; selecting a third visual appearance from the second set of appearances based on the received next response status data, displaying, via the GUI, the first visual appearance of the first ring for the second area of ​​the single indicator image; and The third visual appearance of the second ring for the second area of ​​the single indicator image is displayed via the GUI.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a data processing system to: Receiving presence and response data of a person from a communication network, the presence and response data comprising: a current presence status indicating the physical location of the person; indicating a current response status of the person relative to a response status of a group of communication resources; as well as an identifier of the person associated with the current presence status and the current response status; Based on the received presence and response data, displaying a single indicator image via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the data processing system, the single indicator image indicating the current presence status and the current response status of the person in a non-textual manner, the single indicator having a geometric shape, the geometric shape comprising: a first area having a first visual appearance, the first visual appearance comprising a first color, a first visible pattern, or a first color-visible pattern combination representing the current presence of the person; and a second area having a second visual appearance, the second visual appearance comprising a second color, a second visually visible pattern, or a second color-visible pattern combination representing the current response status of the person; receiving updated presence and response data from the communication network, the updated presence and response data indicating an update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person; as well as In response to receiving the updated presence and response data, the first visual appearance or the second visual appearance is changed to reflect the update to the current presence status or the current response status of the person.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein: The instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to control the data processing system to perform the following operations: selecting the first visual appearance from a first set of appearances based on the received presence data, the first set of appearances comprising a first set of colors, a first set of visible patterns, and a first set of color-visible pattern combinations; as well as The second visual appearance is selected from a second set of appearances based on the received response data, the second set of appearances comprising a second set of colors, a second set of visually visible patterns, and a second set of color-visibly visible pattern combinations.

Images