Calendar Event Object Edge Continuation for Off-Screen Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of calendar applications often miss important events that are not visible within the current screen viewable range, as existing solutions provide limited information about events outside this range, such as the number and calendars of off-screen events.
Innovation Solution
The calendar application displays a part of an event object at the edge of the window when it is no longer within the selected viewable time range, using a reusable event object to indicate the existence and provide additional information about off-screen events, and allows seamless navigation by keeping the current day prominent when scrolling through weeks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple arrow indicator is used to show off-screen events, then the interface remains simple, but the information provided about off-screen events is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The event object is segmented into visible and hidden portions. When an event extends beyond the visible time range, the portion within the visible range remains displayed while the extended portion is rendered as a continuation at the edge, visually indicating the event's presence without displaying its full details. This segmentation allows the interface to maintain simplicity while conveying information about off-screen events.
2Area of stationary object
If the visible time range is limited to fit the screen, then the interface remains clean and focused, but events outside this range may be missed by users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by extending event objects to the edge of the visible time range before the user even scrolls or navigates. This allows users to anticipate upcoming or previous events that are currently off-screen, enabling them to proactively adjust their view to ensure they don't miss important appointments. The event continuation acts as a preview or warning mechanism.
3Area of stationary object
If event objects are completely hidden when outside the viewable time range, then the display remains uncluttered, but users cannot know that events exist outside the current view
Solution Approach 1:
The event object acts as an intermediary between the hidden off-screen event data and the user's visual perception. Instead of completely hiding events that extend beyond the visible time range, the system renders a continuation of the event object at the edge of the visible area, serving as a visual mediator that communicates the presence and timing of off-screen events without cluttering the main display area.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces are provided for showing calendar events that are not visible on screen. Event objects are shown when an event is within a viewable time range, but the event object is partially drawn on screen (e.g. clipped) when the event is not within a viewable time range. The displayed parts of event objects indicating off-screen event can stack on top of each other to provide information about a number of off-screen events for a particular day. With the events clipped and stacked, a user has a visual indicator that there are events off screen for a particular day. As a user scrolls to the time of the event, the event can completely reveals itself.