Dynamic Time Rebase for Calendar Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional calendar systems require frequent manual adjustments for DST and time zone changes, leading to interruptions in user productivity and calendar inaccuracies due to static timezone persistence.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic rebasing of persisted time information, where the calendar system calculates and updates local times based on up-to-date timezone information each time a calendar item is accessed, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and ensuring accurate display of meeting times across different time zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static timezone persistence is used in calendar meeting items, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the calendar system requires frequent manual adjustments for DST and time zone changes, leading to interruptions in user productivity and calendar inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static timezone persistence mechanism into a dynamic one. Instead of storing fixed timezone information, the system now dynamically calculates local times by retrieving base time for each calendar item and applying the current timezone offset at the moment of display. This ensures the calendar automatically adapts to DST and timezone changes without requiring manual adjustments, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of timezone information from static stored values to dynamic calculated values. The system stores only the base time (UTC or reference time) and retrieves the current timezone offset parameter at the time of display. This parameter change allows the system to automatically reflect timezone and DST changes without requiring updates to stored calendar items, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment processes are run regularly for every time zone change, then calendar accuracy can be maintained, but user productivity is interrupted and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the calendar system to automatically adjust itself without human intervention. When a user views a calendar item, the system automatically retrieves the base time, identifies the current timezone offset, and calculates the correct local time for display. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for administrators or users to manually run adjustment processes, thereby maintaining calendar accuracy while preserving user productivity and reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the base time for each calendar item when it is created, rather than storing the complete localized time. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly and automatically calculate the correct display time whenever needed, without requiring manual intervention during timezone changes. The base time acts as a pre-computed foundation that enables rapid, accurate local time calculation at the moment of display.
3Device complexity
If static timezone information is stored in calendar items, then data storage is simple, but the system cannot automatically adapt to DST and time zone changes without frequent manual updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static storage approach into a dynamic calculation approach. Instead of storing complete timezone-specific times, the system stores a timezone-independent base time and dynamically calculates the local time by applying the current timezone offset at the moment of display. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity in data storage while significantly improving adaptability to DST and timezone changes, as the system automatically adapts without requiring manual updates to stored calendar items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a time conversion layer between the stored base time and the displayed local time. This intermediary calculates the correct local time by combining the base time with the current timezone offset information. The intermediary acts as a mediator that translates the timezone-independent stored data into timezone-specific display data, enabling automatic adaptation to DST and timezone changes while keeping the underlying storage structure simple and unchanged.
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic time rebasing may be provided. After receiving a request to view a calendar item, a base time associated with the calendar item may be retrieved. A local bias associated with the request to view the calendar item may be identified. The base time may be converted to a local time according to the local bias. The calendar item may then be displayed according to the converted local time.