Categorized Calendar Event Visual Distinction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current calendar applications overwhelm users with multiple events, making it difficult to distinguish between different types of events and inefficiently utilize time, leading to sub-optimal user experience and increased computing resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allows users to visualize categorized calendar events by selecting a category, adjusting the appearance of associated events to distinguish them from others, and providing panels for event types, including scheduled and proposed meetings, deadlines, and uninterrupted time blocks, enabling efficient time management without switching tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple calendar events are displayed together, then comprehensive calendar information is provided, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between different types of events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to differentiate calendar event categories. Each event type (e.g., meetings, deadlines, personal appointments) is assigned a distinct color or visual style, allowing users to quickly distinguish between different event types without having to read event details. This visual differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining comprehensive event display while improving event type distinguishability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements visual customization where different regions or aspects of event display have different properties. Specific event categories can be individually styled with different colors, icons, or transparency levels, allowing users to highlight important events while maintaining a comprehensive view of all events. This local differentiation solves the distinction problem without reducing the quantity of displayed events.
2Loss of information
If users select multiple events individually to view details, then comprehensive event information can be accessed, but time efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to view essential event information (such as title, time, and category) directly in the calendar view without selecting each event individually. This partial viewing capability provides sufficient information for most users while eliminating the time-consuming process of individual event selection. Users can then choose to view full details only for specific events of interest, reducing overall time loss while maintaining information accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional calendar applications are used, then basic scheduling functions are provided, but computing resources are inefficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic event categorization and visual styling that occurs without requiring extensive user input or manual configuration. The system automatically analyzes event properties, assigns appropriate categories and colors, and generates optimized visual representations. This self-service approach reduces the computational overhead of manual event management while maintaining comprehensive calendar functionality, thereby improving resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes presenting, in a user interface of an electronic calendar application, a plurality of calendar events and a plurality of calendar event categories, wherein each calendar event of the plurality of calendar events is associated with one or more of the plurality of categories; receiving, via the user interface of the electronic calendar application, a user selection of a first calendar event category of the plurality of calendar event categories; identifying among the plurality of calendar events, one or more calendar events associated with the first calendar event category; and adjusting an appearance of each the identified calendar events associated with the first calendar event category to distinguish the identified calendar events from other calendar events presented in the user interface of the electronic calendar application.