Gesture-Based Time Magnification for Micro-Task Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing task planning applications require significant user input and are not user-friendly for planning micro-tasks, as they treat macro-tasks and micro-tasks at the same level, making it inefficient to plan tasks that take only a few minutes or seconds, and are tedious due to the need for extensive data entry.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for planning tasks using a graphical representation of time, allowing users to manipulate magnification levels and shapes through gestures to select task durations, generate tasks, and set reminders, with the ability to plan and organize tasks intuitively without extensive input, using a display unit and processor-driven modules for graphical representation modification, duration selection, and reminder generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional task planning applications are used, then users can plan macro-tasks, but the planning process itself takes time equal to or more than the task completion time for micro-tasks, making it inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of time representation from fixed granular units to a flexible graphical continuum that can be magnified and manipulated. Users can visually select task durations by manipulating the graphical time representation, eliminating the need to input each parameter separately and dramatically reducing planning time for micro-tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically generates task entries based on visual selection from the graphical time representation. Once users select a time duration graphically, the system automatically creates the task with appropriate timing, eliminating the need for users to manually input multiple parameters and reducing planning effort.
2Loss of information
If users provide detailed input data for task planning, then comprehensive task information is captured, but the process becomes tedious and user-unfriendly due to extensive data entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential time selection function from the complex data entry process. By representing time as a manipulable graphical element, users can select durations visually without needing to input start times, end times, and duration values separately, reducing user effort while preserving task information.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical time representation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the time scale, allows duration selection through manipulation, provides visual feedback, and enables both macro-task and micro-task planning with the same interface, eliminating the need for different input procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional applications treat macro-tasks and micro-tasks at the same level, then a unified interface is provided, but the interface is not suited for planning micro-tasks that require precision at a different time scale
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical time representation is dynamic and can be magnified or manipulated to different levels. Users can zoom into specific time periods to plan micro-tasks with precision or view broader time spans for macro-tasks, allowing the same interface to adapt to different task sizes and time scales effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for planning a task based on a graphical representation of time is provided. The method includes (i) displaying at a display unit a first graphical representation of time at a first magnification level, (ii) processing a first input including a gesture on the first graphical representation of time, and (iii) displaying, at the display unit, a second graphical representation of time of a different shape at a second magnification level based on the gesture, (iv) processing a second input including a gesture on the second graphical representation of time to select a third duration from the second graphical representation of time, (v) processing a third input including content associated with the task, and (vi) generating the task associated with the third duration. The first graphical representation of time represents a first duration, and the second graphical representation of time represents a second duration.