US20230078487A1 - Providing task assistance to a user - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent task assistant program can identify tasks associated with a user over a reporting period based on an analysis of, and inferences drawn from, data associated with one or more personal information programs, such as an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic collaborative application, and/or an electronic communication application. The task assistant may also prioritize the identified tasks based on content associated with the tasks. Some or all of the prioritized tasks can be provided to an output device for perception by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/516,073, filed Jul. 18, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• Many professionals have a variety of tasks to manage and complete in a given period of time, such as a day, a week, or a month. The tasks can include attending meetings, sending and responding to electronic communications, and completing assignments. Additionally, a professional often has to filter or prioritize his pending and new tasks on a daily basis. In some instances, the professional monitors and prioritizes his or her tasks manually, such as through to-do lists.
• These actions can be more significant or relevant when the professional will be out of the office for a period of time. For example, the professional may be on vacation or attending a business function. Typically, prior to being out of office, the professional can be under additional stress as he attempts to complete as many tasks as possible and delegate and reschedule other tasks. While the professional is out of the office, new tasks can be assigned to him or the priority of pending tasks may change. Consequently, the professional may check his electronic communications, or call the office, several times a day to ensure he does not miss anything. And once the professional returns to the office after being away for a while, he typically has to manually determine the tasks he or she still needs to complete, identify new tasks that have been assigned to him, and follow up on the tasks that were delegated or rescheduled before the professional went away.
• It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background.
SUMMARY
• Embodiments disclosed herein provide techniques for identifying tasks associated with a user over a reporting period based on an analysis of, and inferences drawn from, data associated with one or more personal information programs. Additionally, in some instances, a priority for each identified task may be determined. Some or all of the tasks or the prioritized tasks can be provided to an output device for perception by the user.
• In one aspect, a method includes determining tasks associated with a user in a reporting period based on personal information program (PIP) data. The PIP data can be associated with a personal information program, such as, for example, an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, a collaborative application, and/or an electronic communication application. A priority of each task is determined based on the reporting period and content associated with the task to produce prioritized tasks. At least a portion of the prioritized tasks is provided, or is caused to be provided to an output device. For example, at least a portion of the prioritized tasks may be displayed at a display screen. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a computing device that includes a processing device executing instructions comprising one or more machine learning algorithms.
• In another aspect, a system includes a processing device and a memory. The memory stores instructions, that when executed by the processing device, cause the system to perform operations. The operations include determining tasks associated with a user in a reporting period based on personal information program (PIP) data. The PIP data can be associated with a personal information program, such as, for example, an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, a collaborative application, and/or an electronic communication application. A priority of each task is determined based on the reporting period and content associated with the task to produce prioritized tasks. At least a portion of the prioritized tasks are provided, or are caused to be provided, to an output device.
• In yet another aspect, a method includes determining a plurality of tasks associated with a user in a reporting period based on PIP data. As previously described, the PIP data can be associated with an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, or an electronic communication application. A priority of each task in the plurality of tasks is determined based on the reporting period and content associated with the task to produce a plurality of prioritized tasks. A portion of the plurality of prioritized tasks can be displayed, or caused to be displayed in a user interface, where at least one of the prioritized tasks comprises an interactive notification that includes one or more control elements. Each control element enables the user to perform an operation on the task, such as, for example, rescheduling the task, delegating the task, canceling the task, and indicating the task is completed. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a machine learning processing device.
• 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following Figures. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures.
• FIG.1 depicts a block diagram of a distributed computing system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced;
• FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of a system operable to provide assistance in task completion;
• FIG.3 is an example relationship graph that can be used to determine one or more people associated with a user;
• FIG.4 is a flowchart of an example method of providing task assistance;
• FIG.5 depicts an urgent-important matrix that can be used to determine priority;
• FIG.6 illustrates an example graphical user interface showing prioritized tasks;
• FIG.7 is a flowchart of a method of delegating a task;
• FIG.8 depicts an example graphical user interface for delegating a task;
• FIG.9 is a flowchart of a method of rescheduling a task;
• FIG.10 illustrates an example graphical user interface that may be presented when a task is rescheduled;
• FIG.11 is a flowchart of a method of deferring a task;
• FIG.12 is a flowchart of a method of canceling a task;
• FIG.13 is a flowchart of a method of providing a summary report at the end of a reporting period;
• FIG.14 depicts an example graphical user interface that may present a summary report;
• FIG.15 is a flowchart of an example first method of operating a task assistant;
• FIG.16 is a flowchart of an example second method of operating a task assistant;
• FIG.17 is a block diagram depicting example physical components of a computing device with which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced;
• FIGS.18A-18B are simplified block diagrams illustrating a mobile computing device with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced; and
• FIG.19 is a block diagram depicting a distributed computing system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These aspects may be combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the present disclosure. Embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems or devices. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of a hardware implementation, an entirely software implementation, or an implementation combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
• Personal information programs (PIP) are widely used by individuals on their personal computing devices as well as throughout businesses, organizations, venture, and other entities (hereinafter “enterprise”). PIPs are software applications that provide and/or manage electronic communications, electronic calendars, electronic lists or entries of contacts, electronic reminders, electronic to-do lists, and other data. The data associated with the PIPs (“PIP data”) is stored as computer-generated and computer-readable data at each user's computing device and/or at a cloud or enterprise storage device or memory that is accessible over a network.
• Embodiments disclosed herein provide an intelligent task assistant program (hereinafter “task assistant”) that can identify tasks associated with a user over a given period of time (“reporting period”) based on an analysis of, and inferences drawn from, the user's PIP data. Once activated, the task assistant determines one or more tasks associated with the user based on some or all of the PIP data accessible by the task assistant. As used herein, a “task” refers to an action the user is to perform. For example, a task may be sending an electronic communication or working on or completing a job, and/or attending a meeting, an appointment, or an event (e.g., a concert, a trade show, an educational event, and the like). The term “event” refers to a meeting, appointment, or event on a calendar.
• The task assistant may also prioritize the identified tasks to inform the user of his or her most important tasks. The importance of a task can be based on a due date, a person or the people associated with the task, the subject of the task, and the like. Some or all of the prioritized tasks can be provided to an output device for perception by the user. For example, the task assistant can cause the prioritized tasks to be displayed on a display screen. Alternatively, the task assistant may cause the top N tasks to be displayed on the display screen, where N is a number equal to or greater than zero. In an example embodiment, the task assistant may present the top five tasks to the user.
• In some embodiments, the task assistant prioritizes the tasks in the context of a reporting period. The reporting period may be set by the user. For example, a user may want the task assistant to provide his or her tasks every day or every Monday (e.g., the start of the work week). In another example, the reporting period can cover a time period before and/or after a period when the user will be unavailable (e.g., out of the office).
• Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant prioritizes the tasks based on the circumstance(s) associated with the reporting period. In an example embodiment, the task assistant can detect the user will be on a week-long vacation. Prior to the start of the vacation, the task assistant may identify and prioritize the user's tasks for the week the user will be on vacation, and provide the tasks to an output device. Thus, the circumstance associated with the reporting period (e.g., the week) is the vacation.
• In some embodiments, the task assistant can further assist the user in completing a task by performing one or more operations on the tasks. For example, the user can instruct the task assistant that a particular task has been completed. Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant can assist the user in delegating a task, rescheduling a task, canceling a task, and/or deferring a task.
• Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the followingFIGS.1-19. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures.
• FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of a distributed computing system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced. In one embodiment, thesystem100 is an enterprise system that providesusers102A,102B with a personal information program (PIP)104A,104B, respectively, that theusers102A,102B can access and interact with oncomputing devices106A,106B. EachPIP104A,104B can include an electronic calendar, contacts, electronic notes, electronic reminders, electronic to-do lists, and other data. As used herein, the term “PIP data” relates to the electronic data associated with the electronic calendar, contacts, electronic notes, electronic reminders, electronic to-do lists, and other electronic data associated with the PIP.
• APIP108 may be stored on one or more storage devices (represented by storage device110). ThePIPs104A,104B executing oncomputing devices106A,106B can access and/or interact with aPIP108 executing on one or more server computing devices (represented by server computing device112) using one or more networks (represented by network114). Thenetwork114 is illustrative of an intranet and/or a distributed computing network such as the Internet.
• In one embodiment, the PIP data of theusers102A,102B is stored on arespective computing device106A,106B (not shown inFIG.1; see e.g.,1710 inFIG.17). Additionally or alternatively, thePIP data116 associated with theusers102A,102B can be stored in thestorage device110. As will be described in more detail later, a task assistant stored onstorage device110 and executed by theserver computing device112 can analyze a user's PIP data to provide assistance to the user in identifying and completing one or more tasks. In other embodiments, thetask assistant program118 can be implemented on thecomputing devices106A,106B, or be distributed between theserver computing device112 and thecomputing devices106A,106B.
• FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of a system operable to provide assistance in task completion. Thesystem200 includes atask assistant202, one or morePIP data sources204, one or more machine learning (ML)models206, and one ormore applications208. In general, thetask assistant202 accesses, analyzes, and/or retrieves PIP data from the one or morePIP data sources204 to determine the tasks associated with a user, prioritize the tasks, and perform user-requested operations on the tasks (e.g., reschedule, delegate, etc.).
• Thetask assistant202 includes a machinelearning processing device210 that executes one or more machine learning (ML)algorithms212. In the illustrated embodiment, theML algorithms212 include a ML ranking algorithm214, aML rescheduling algorithm216, and aML delegating algorithm218. TheML algorithms212 receive PIP data from thePIP data sources204, which may includeelectronic communications data220,calendar data222,reminder data224, andcontacts data225. TheML algorithms212 analyzes the PIP data to prioritize the tasks associated with the user and/or to perform operations on the tasks.
• TheML algorithms212 are initially trained using PIP data associated with thousands of users. The training process allows the ML algorithms to learn over time what data to consider and not consider when determining tasks, what data to analyze when prioritizing tasks, and what data to review when performing operations on the tasks. The data includes PIP data, and in some instances, other data in a user's ecosystem. Once in use, theML algorithms212 continue to learn based on a particular user's interactions with the task assistant. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ML algorithms continue to learn based on the interactions of a community of users (e.g., an enterprise, a nation, and/or global).
• Theelectronic communications application220 can includePIP data221 associated with one or more types of electronic communications, such as electronic mail, instant messaging, web posts and social networking, and group chats. The electroniccommunications PIP data221 may include, for example, sender and recipient names, time of transmission, time of receipt, subject, content of the electronic communications, and attachments or content associated with the attachments (e.g., type of document, title, author, etc.).
• Thecalendar application222 may includePIP data223 can include any data associated with calendar entries, such as appointments and meetings. Thecalendar PIP data223 may include, for example, dates and times of the meetings and the appointments, subject, attendees, content of the calendar entries (e.g., any descriptions or data provided in the body of the entry), and attachments or content associated with the attachments (e.g., type of document, title, author, etc.).
• Thereminder application224 can includePIP data225 associated with one or more to-do lists or reminders. Thereminder PIP data225 may include, for example, subject and/or content of the reminder, creation date, deadline date, completion date, other users associated with a reminder, and attachments or content associated with the attachments (e.g., type of document, title, author, etc.).
• Thecontacts application226 can includePIP data227 associated with the contacts a user knows or interacts with, such as co-workers, managers, friends, family, co-workers, and other users. For example, the other users can be one or more users that are on the same team or project as the user, are associated with an organization or venture as the user, and/or correspond with the user by one or more electronic communication applications. The contacts PIPdata227 can be obtained or derived, for example, from one or more contact lists, senders and recipients of electronic communications, calendar entries, and/or reminders.
• The one ormore ML models206 can include any number and/or type of ML models. TheML models206 provide data and/or analysis to the one ormore ML algorithms212. In the illustrated embodiment, theML models206 include apeople understanding model228, asubject understanding model230, anon-semantic ranker model232, anextraction model234, anenterprise structure model236, and an importance anddelegation model238. In one embodiment, the various models can access data stored in thedata storage device240. The data can include, for example, classifications and/or relationship graphs. An example relationship graph for people is described in more detail in conjunction withFIG.3. As part of the continued learning of the ML algorithms, the data stored in thedata storage device240 is updated at select times based on user interactions with the task assistant and on changes to the PIP data.
• Thepeople understanding model228 can be used to determine people associated with a user. The people can be determined, for example, from one or more contact lists, senders and recipients of electronic communications, calendar entries, reminders, and/or teams the user is associated with in a collaborative application.
• Thesubject understanding model230 can be used to analyze and understand one or more subjects associated with the user. The subjects may include work projects, organizations, documents, assignments, etc. The subjects can be determined, for example, from one or more contact lists, electronic communications, calendar entries, reminders, and/or teams the user is associated with in a collaborative application.
• Thenon-semantic ranker232 may be used to identify and/or rank tasks based on characteristics other than words or phrases. For example, thenon-semantic ranker232 can rank tasks based on time, on the number of attendees to a meeting, on the number of users associated with a task, and other non-semantic features.
• Theextraction model234 can be used to determine and/or rank tasks by topics in a particular application. For example, theextraction model234 may be used to rank tasks by a topic in an electronic communications application (e.g., electronic mail).
• Theenterprise structure model236 can be used to identify and/or rank tasks based on data associated with an enterprise. In a non-limiting embodiment, the data associated with the enterprise can be the structure of the enterprise, the departments in the enterprise, the locations of the buildings of the enterprise, and the job title of each user in the enterprise.
• The importance anddelegation model238 can be used to identify persons that are the appropriate people/contacts, relevant to a given task or subject matter. As an example, the importance anddelegation model238 may be used to identify the appropriate person to be the delegatee for a meeting. In one embodiment, the importance anddelegation model238 includes one or moremachine learning algorithms212 and/or heuristics that can use multiple features such as, for example, topics or subject matter, people, a time frame, a location, an organizational structure, and the like.
• The one ormore applications208 include applications that may be used to present the tasks, or the prioritized tasks, to the user, and to enable the users to select an operation to be performed on a task. In the illustrated embodiment, theapplications208 include acalendar application242, an intelligentvirtual assistant244, acollaborative application246, one or more plug-ins248 for an application, and a portal250. The tasks can be presented to a user on one or more of the applications. An examplecollaborative application246 is MICROSOFT TEAMS and an example intelligent virtual assistant is MICROSOFT CORTANA. Additional or different applications may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the portal250 can include one or more applications that enable a user to login with his or her credentials and view the prioritized tasks. Example portal applications include, but are not limited to, an electronic mail application and a calendar application.
• In some embodiments, theML algorithms212 are used to determine, prioritize, and/or perform operations on tasks prior to the start of a reporting period. For example, the reporting period can be a period of time when a user is on vacation and is out of the office. Thus, in some embodiments, theML algorithms212 are used to determine, prioritize, and/or perform operations on the tasks before the vacation.
• The reportingalgorithms252 are used to provide a summary to the user at the end of the reporting period (e.g., when the user returns to the office from the vacation). The reportingalgorithms252 can include a MLdata retrieval model254 and aML ranking model256. Thedata retrieval model254 may be used to retrieve data associated with the tasks during the reporting period. For example, thedata retrieval model254 can collect data associated with new tasks that were created during the reporting period, tasks that were deferred prior to the time period, tasks that were rescheduled prior to the time period, and/or tasks that were delegated prior to the time period.
• TheML ranking model256 can be similar to the ML ranking model214. TheML ranking model256 may be used to determine, or determine and prioritize, new tasks, tasks that are due at the end of the reporting period and/or that are due within a given time period after the reporting period, and/or are overdue at the end of the reporting period. In some embodiments, only one ML ranking model is used to determine the tasks, and possible prioritize tasks, before and after the reporting period.
• Thenotification algorithm258 generatestask notifications260 for the tasks determined before and after the given time period. Thetask notifications260 can be presented in a user interface of a particular application, such as one or more of theapplications208. Additionally or alternatively, the task notifications may be sent to other devices associated with the user, such as a tablet or a mobile phone (see1906 and1908 inFIG.19).
• The block diagram inFIG.2 is an example of a system operable to provide assistance in task completion. Other embodiments can omit, add, or modify the blocks. For example, the machine learning (ML)models206 can include fewer ML models, different ML models, or additional ML models. Similarly, thedata storage240 may store different types of data that can be used by thetask assistant202.
• FIG.3 is an example relationship graph that can be used to determine one or more people associated with a user. As described earlier, the people can be determined, for example, from one or more contact lists, senders and recipients of electronic communications, calendar entries, reminders, and/or teams the user is associated with in a collaborative application. The relationship graph300 may be used by thepeople understanding model228 when thetask assistant202 is analyzing one or more of thePIP data221,223,225,227 to determine people associated with the user based on a topic or task.
• In the illustrated embodiment, theuser302 is linked or associated directly withusers304,306,308,310 for a particular topic or task.Users312,314 are associated indirectly with theuser302. Theuser312 is associated with theuser302 throughuser310 and theuser314 is associated with theuser302 throughuser304. Because theusers304,306,308,310 are connected or related to theuser302 directly, the tasks associated with theuser302 and at least one of theusers304,306,308,310 may be ranked higher than the tasks that includeusers312,314. Additionally or alternatively, theusers304,306,308,310 can be identified first (e.g., considered more important) compared to theusers312,314 when the task assistant is performing an operation associated with a task. For example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the task assistant may delegate a task associated with theuser302 touser304,user306,user308, oruser310 instead of theusers312,314.
• Other types of relationship graphs may be created, updated, and used for thesubject understanding model230, thenon-semantic ranker model232, theextraction model234, theenterprise structure model236, and/or the importance anddelegation model238. In one embodiment, a global relationship graph may be generated for an entity that includes all relationships associated with that entity. An entity may be a user, a project, a team, a company, and the like.
• FIG.4 is a flowchart of an example method of providing task assistance. In some implementations, the tasks can be personal tasks, tasks associated with work, or a combination thereof. Task assistance can be provided in a variety of situations. For example, a user can use task assistance for a given period of time, such as at the start of a work week or every day. Additionally or alternatively, task assistance may be provided prior to and/or after a time period when the user is/was unavailable (e.g., on vacation).
• Initially, as shown inblock400, the task assistant is enabled. Activation of the task assistant can occur in a variety of ways. In one embodiment the task assistant can detect or infer a user will be out of the office and responsively provide task assistance. For example, the task assistant can analyze the contents of one or more electronic communications sent to, and/or received by, the user to determine the user will be out of the office (e.g., on vacation) for a given period of time. The electronic communications may provide information about the time period the user will be out of the office (the reporting period), such as flight information, hotel reservations, the location and dates of a meeting or seminar, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant can analyze the user's calendar and contents of the events on the calendar and detect or infer the user will be out of the office.
• In another embodiment, a user can enable the task assistant manually. For example, the user can select an icon or a graphical control element presented in a user interface to activate task assistance. In some instances, the task assistant can be activated via a menu selection, taskbar, or a keyboard shortcut. In yet another embodiment, the task assistant may be activated through a settings or user preference menu. The settings menu can enable a user to select when (e.g., a particular day or a select period of time) and how often (e.g., one time or recurring) the task assistant is to operate, and the time period to be reviewed (e.g., the reporting period). For example, a user may want the task assistant to determine his or her upcoming tasks every day or every Monday. The settings menu can be used to schedule such operations.
• Next, as shown inblock402, the task assistant can analyze the PIP data associated with the user's calendar application and the content associated with events on the calendar. The PIP data includes the events and the content associated with each event. By way of example only, the content associated with an event can be other users associated with the event, the subject of the event, the date and time of the event, and any attachments to the event (e.g., documents). Based on the analysis, the task assistant determines the upcoming tasks, pending tasks, and/or tasks due during the reporting period.
• In some instances, the task assistant may also analyze the PIP data associated with an electronic reminder application (block404). The PIP data includes, but is not limited to, the reminders and the content associated with each reminder. By way of example only, the content can include other users associated with a reminder, the subject of the reminder, the deadline associated with the reminder, and any attachments to the reminder (e.g., documents). Based on the analysis, the task assistant determines the upcoming tasks, pending tasks, and/or tasks due during the reporting period.
• Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant can analyzes the PIP data associated with one or more electronic communication applications (block406). The PIP data includes, for example, the electronic communications received and sent by the user and the content associated with the electronic communications. The content may include the messages in the body of the electronic communications, the dates and times of the electronic communications, other recipients to the electronic communications, the subject, and any attachments to the electronic communications. Based on the analysis, the task assistant determines the upcoming tasks, pending tasks, and/or tasks due during the reporting period.
• In some embodiments, the task assistant may analyze other electronic data atblock408. For example, the PIP data associated with other applications, such as a collaborative application, a notes application, images, video, and the like may be analyzed by the task assistant to determine the tasks associated with the reporting period. Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant may review the tasks associated with additional time periods relative to the reporting period (block410). For example, the task assistant may consider the tasks associated with the week before the reporting period.
• Based on the analysis or analyses, the task assistant determines the tasks for a user during the reporting period (block412). A task assistant can perform some or all of theblocks402,404,406,408,410 when determining tasks. For example, the task assistant may performblocks402 and404 to determine a user's tasks in a reporting period.
• Based on the context of the task assistance, the tasks associated with the user may be prioritized atblock414. The context of the task assistance can include, for example, the reporting period, the due dates, and other users associated with the tasks. The prioritized tasks can then be provided to an output device for perception by the user (block416). For example, the prioritized tasks can be displayed on a display screen. One or more options for each prioritized task may also be presented. In some aspects, a user can be presented with one or more options for some or all of the prioritized tasks. For example, one or more graphical control elements can be presented to the user for at least one prioritized task that enable the user to reschedule, delegate, defer, and/or cancel the identified tasks. In some embodiments, a virtual assistant may present the option(s) and the operations by generating an audio output.
• In one embodiment, the prioritized tasks, and optionally the one or more options, can be displayed in a user interface. The user interface may be a user interface of an application, such as a calendar application, a reminder application, an email application, a collaborative application, or a unified communications application. Alternatively, the user interface can be a panel that is separate from an application user interface.
• FIG.5 depicts an urgent-important matrix that can be used to determine priority. Other embodiments can determine priority using a different technique or techniques. In one embodiment, the tasks, communications, reminders, and the like inquadrant500,502, and504 are tasks that the task assistant may identify as tasks the user should complete as soon as possible (e.g., before a vacation). The tasks that fall inquadrant500 may also be tasks the user can monitor or allow interruptions (e.g., emails, notifications) during a given period of time (e.g., while the user is on vacation). In some instances, the task assistant can notify the user about new tasks associated withquadrants500,502,504 after the given period of time (e.g., the user returns from the vacation). Other embodiments can perform these actions for tasks in fewer quadrants (e.g.,quadrants500,502). Additionally or alternatively, a user may specify which quadrants the task assistant is to operate on or monitor.
• FIG.6 illustrates an example graphical user interface showing prioritized tasks. Theuser interface600 can include agraphical control element602, that when selected by a user, causes the task assistant to determine tasks and generate a list oftasks604. Although four tasks are shown in the list oftasks604, other embodiments can include any number of tasks, including zero tasks.
• The list oftasks604 are displayed in apane606 of theuser interface600. In some embodiments, asecond pane608 may also be displayed in theuser interface600. Theuser interface600 can be associated with a particular application, such as an electronic communications application, a calendar application, and the like. Thus, thesecond pane608 may present data associated with the particular application. For example, when the application is an electronic communications application, such as an electronic mail application, thesecond pane608 can display multiple electronic messages or a particular electronic message.
• Therepresentative tasks610,612,614,616 relate to a first to-do or reminder (task610), a meeting (task612), an electronic communication (task614), and a second reminder (task616). In one embodiment, thetasks610,612,614,616 are listed in no particular order, although other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. Additionally, thetasks610,612,614 are interactive notifications in which a user can select a control element associated with one or more operations. For example, thetask610 is depicted with threecontrol elements618,620,622. When the user completes thetask610, the user can select the “Done”control element618. In such embodiments, the task assistant may remove thetask610 from the list oftasks604, modify thetask610 to indicate thetask610 is completed, and/or add the word “Done” or “Completed” to the text of thetask610. For example, thetask610 may be greyed out or moved to the end of the list oftasks604. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a user indicates a task is completed.
• If the user wants to defer thetask610, the user may select the “Defer”control element620. In response to the selection, the task assistant defers the task and adjusts the list of tasks. For example, the task assistant may remove the task from the list of tasks. Alternatively, the task assistant can modify the task to indicate the task is deferred or on hold. For example, the task may be greyed out, moved to a different position in the list of tasks (e.g., at the end of the list), and/or the words “On Hold” can be added to the text in the task. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a task is deferred.
• If the user wants to delegate thetask610, the user may select the “Delegate” control element622 (shown as “Del.”). In response to the selection, the task assistant can determine one or more other users to delegate the task to (a delegatee). The task assistant can analyze the subject of the task, the users associated with the subject of the task, any other users associated with the subject of the task, as well as other factors when determining the one or more delegatees. In one embodiment, theML processing device210 executing the ML delegating algorithm218 (FIG.2) can perform the delegation operation. An example method of delegating a task is described in more detail in conjunction withFIG.6.
• Thetask612 relates to a future meeting and is shown with threecontrol elements622,624,626. If the user wants to delegate the task, the user may select the “Delegate” control element622 (shown as “Del.”). If the user wants to send an electronic communication regarding thetask612, such as an electronic mail message, the user can select the “Send Electronic Communication” control element624 (shown as “Send EC”). In response to the selection, an electronic communication application may be launched to enable the user to draft and send the electronic communication. In one embodiment, the electronic communication is displayed in thesecond pane608. In another embodiment, the electronic communication is presented in a separate user interface.
• If the user wants to reschedule thetask612, the user may select the “Reschedule” control element626 (shown as “Resch.”). When selected, the task assistant may analyze factors such as the subject of the meeting, any other attendees and their associated calendars, and any other users associated with the subject of the meeting to determine one or more alternative times and dates for the meeting. In one embodiment, a notification may be sent to the meeting organizer indicating the user has requested the meeting be rescheduled and provide the one or more alternative meeting times. In another embodiment, the task assistant can cause a user interface to be presented to the user with the one or more alternative meeting times. Based on a selection of a particular meeting time, the task assistant may reschedule the meeting. In one embodiment, theML processing device210 executing the ML rescheduling algorithm216 (FIG.2) can perform the rescheduling operation.
• Thetask614 relates to an electronic communication and is shown with threecontrol elements622,624,628. If the user wants to send an electronic communication regarding thetask614, such as an electronic mail message, the user can select the “Send Electronic Communication” control element624 (shown as “Send EC”). If the user wants to delegate thetask614, the user may select the “Delegate” control element622 (shown as “Del.”).
• If the user wants to cancel thetask614, the user can select the “Cancel”control element628. When thecontrol element628 is selected, the task assistant may cancel thetask614 and remove thetask614 from the list oftasks604. Alternatively, the task assistant can cancel thetask614 and modify thetask614 to indicate thetask614 is canceled. For example, thetask614 may be greyed out, moved to the end of the list oftasks604, and/or the word “Canceled” can be added to the text in thetask614. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a user indicates a task is completed.
• Thetask616 relates to a reminder and does not include any control elements. In one embodiment, the task assistant has associated thetask616 to a lower priority (e.g., medium priority), although this is not required. Additionally or alternatively, one or more control elements may be displayed in response to a user selecting the task616 (e.g., double clicking on the task616).
• In some embodiments, the task assistant can attach an attachment to a task. For example, as shown inFIG.6, adocument attachment630 related to the subject of thetask610 is attached to thetask610 and an electronic message (EM)attachment632 related to thetask614 is attached to thetask614. Thedocument attachment628 can be the document itself or a pointer or link to the document. Similarly, theEM attachment630 may be the electronic message itself or a pointer or link to the electronic message.
• The task assistant can include one ormore headers634,636 in the list oftasks604. For example, as shown inFIG.6, theheader634 identifies the tasks below theheader634 as “High Priority.” Similarly, theheader636 identifies the tasks below theheader636 as “Lower Priority.” Other headers can be used in other embodiments.
• FIG.7 is a flowchart of a method of delegating a task. Initially, a task assistant receives a request to delegate a task atblock700. In one embodiment, the request is submitted to the task assistant in response to a user selecting a control element (e.g.,control element622 inFIG.6). Alternatively, a request to reschedule a task may be submitted differently, such as via a menu selection (e.g., a drop-down menu), taskbar, or a keyboard shortcut.
• Next, as shown inblock702, the task assistant analyzes the task and data associated with the task. For example, the task assistant can analyze the subject of the task, other users associated with the task such as one or more users on the same project or team and/or a manager, a deadline for the task, any attachments associated with the task, and the like. Based on the analysis, the task assistant can determine one or more delegatees for the task (block704). Information associated with the delegatee(s), such as a name, a phone number, an email address, are provided to an output device atblock706. In one embodiment, the information associated with the one or more delegatees is presented on a display. In another embodiment, a virtual assistant may present the information, for example, by generating an audio output.
• A selection of a delegatee may be received atblock708. For example, the information associated with the delegatee(s) can be displayed in a user interface with a user interface selection control that enables the user to select a particular delegatee. Atblock710, the task assistant delegates the task to the delegatee. A notification indicating the delegation of the task may be sent to the delegatee and possibly to other users atblock712. For example, a notification can be sent to the delegatee and his or her manager, or to the delegatee and the manager of the user (the delegator).
• After the task is delegated, the task assistant may modify the list of tasks (block714). For example, the task assistant may remove the task from the list of tasks. Alternatively, the task assistant can modify the task to indicate the task is delegated. For example, the task may be greyed out, moved to the end of the list of tasks, and/or the word “Delegated” can be added to the text in the task. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a task is delegated.
• Blocks706 and708 are optional and may be omitted in other embodiments (indicated by dashed lines). For example, a task assistant may determine a delegatee and automatically delegate the task to the delegatee without any user interaction or input.
• FIG.8 depicts an example graphical user interface for delegating a task. In some aspects, thepanel800 can be used to present one or more delegatees atblock706 inFIG.6. Thepanel800 lists one or more suggested delegatees and may be presented in auser interface802. Three nameddelegatees804,806,808 are shown inFIG.8, although other embodiments are not limited to three delegatees. A userinterface selection control810,812,814 is associated with each suggested delegatee804,806,808, respectively. The user interface selection controls810,812,7814 enable the user to select a particular delegatee for a task.
• In some instances, a dialog orentry box816 and a userinterface selection control818 for thedialog box816 are included in thepanel800. In one aspect, the user can enter the name of a person the user wants to delegate the task to in thedialog box816 and select the userinterface selection control818 to submit the name of the delegatee to the task assistant. Although radio buttons are shown inFIG.8, other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. Other user interface selection controls can be used, such as, for example, a drop-down menu, checkboxes, and switches. In some instances, the computing device and/or the task assistant can be configured to receive an audio response (e.g., a verbal input from the user) or text response that selects one of the options.
• FIG.9 is a flowchart of a method of rescheduling a task. Initially, a task assistant receives a request to reschedule a task atblock900. In one embodiment, the request is submitted to the task assistant in response to a user selecting a control element (e.g.,control element626 inFIG.6). Alternatively, a request to reschedule a task may be submitted differently, such as via a menu selection (e.g., a drop-down menu), taskbar, or a keyboard shortcut.
• Next, as shown inblock902, the task assistant analyzes the task and data associated with the task. For example, the task assistant can analyze the subject of the task, other users associated with the task such as one or more users on the same project or team and/or a manager, a deadline for the task, any attachments associated with the task, other attendees when the task is a meeting, and the like. Based on the analysis, the task assistant can determine one or more alternative times for the task (block904). For example, if the task is associated with a meeting, the task assistant can determine one or more alternative dates and times for the meeting based at least in part on an analysis of the electronic calendar associated with each attendee. Alternatively, if task is a reminder, a deadline associated with the task can be revised to a different date.
• The one or more alternative dates are provided to an output device atblock906. In one embodiment, the alternative date(s) is presented on a display. In another example embodiment, a virtual assistant may present the information by generating an audio output.
• A selection of an alternative date (and possibly time) may be received atblock908. For example, the alternative date(s) (and possibly times) can be displayed in a user interface with a user interface selection control that enables the user to select a particular date. Atblock910, the task assistant reschedules the task and/or sends a notification to one or more users. The notification can be sent to the user and/or to other users associated with the task. In some embodiments, when the task is a meeting, the notification may be sent to a meeting organizer so the organizer can reschedule the meeting. The notification may include the one or more alternative dates and times.
• After the task is rescheduled, the task assistant may adjust the list of tasks (block912). For example, the task assistant may remove the task from the list of tasks. Alternatively, the task assistant can modify the task to indicate the task is rescheduled. For example, the task may be greyed out, moved to a different position in the list of tasks, and/or the word “Rescheduled” can be added to the text in the task. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a task is rescheduled.
• Blocks906 and908 are optional and may be omitted in other embodiments (indicated by dashed lines). For example, a task assistant may determine an alternative date (and possibly time) and automatically reschedule the task without any user interaction or input.
• FIG.10 depicts an example graphical user interface that may be presented when a task is rescheduled. In some aspects, thepanel1000 can be used to present alternative time(s) atblock906 inFIG.9. In the illustrated embodiment, thepanel1000 lists one or more alternative dates and times and is presented in auser interface1002. Three alternative dates andtimes1004,1006,1008 are displayed, along with user interface selection controls1010,1012,1014, respectively, that enable the user to select one of the alternatives.
• In some embodiments, thenotification panel1000 can also include aselection1016 and a userinterface selection control1018 that rejects the alternative times and maintains the originally scheduled time. Although radio buttons are shown inFIG.10, other embodiments are not limited to this configuration. Other user interface selection controls can be used, such as, for example, a drop-down menu, checkboxes, and switches. In some instances, the system can be configured to receive an audio response (e.g., a verbal input from the user) or text response that selects one of the options.
• FIG.11 is a flowchart of a method of deferring a task. Initially, as shown inblock1100, a task assistant receives a request to defer or place a hold on a task. In one embodiment, the request is submitted to the task assistant in response to a user selecting a control element (e.g.,control element620 inFIG.6). Alternatively, a request to defer or place a hold on a task may be submitted differently, such as via a menu selection (e.g., a drop-down menu), taskbar, or a keyboard shortcut.
• Next, as shown inblock1102, the task assistant adjusts the list of tasks. For example, the task assistant may remove the task from the list of tasks. Alternatively, the task assistant can modify the task to indicate the task is deferred or on hold. For example, the task may be greyed out, moved to a different position in the list of tasks (e.g., at the end of the list), and/or the words “On Hold” can be added to the text in the task. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a task is deferred.
• A notification indicating the deferral of the task may be sent to one or more users atblock1104. For example, a notification can be sent to a manager or to other users associated with the task.Block1104 is optional and can be omitted in other embodiments.
• FIG.12 is a flowchart of a method of canceling a task. Initially, as shown inblock1200, a task assistant receives a request to cancel a task. In one embodiment, the request is submitted to the task assistant in response to a user selecting a control element (e.g.,control element628 inFIG.6). Alternatively, a request to defer or place a hold on a task may be submitted differently, such as via a menu selection (e.g., a drop-down menu), taskbar, or a keyboard shortcut.
• Next, as shown inblocks1202 and1204, the task assistant cancels the task and adjusts the list of tasks. For example, the task assistant may remove the task from the list of tasks. Alternatively, the task assistant can modify the task to indicate the task is canceled. For example, the task may be greyed out, moved to a different position in the list of tasks (e.g., at the end of the list), and/or the word “Canceled” can be added to the text in the task. Other embodiments can perform a different operation when a task is deferred.
• A notification indicating the cancellation of the task may be sent to one or more users atblock1206. For example, a notification can be sent to a manager or to other users associated with the task. Block1106 is optional and can be omitted in other embodiments.
• FIG.13 is a flowchart of a method of providing a summary report at the end of a reporting period. In some embodiments, the task assistant may generate a summary report on one or more tasks in the list of tasks at the end of the reporting period. For example, the task assistant may generate a summary report at the end of a vacation when the user returns to the office.
• Initially, as shown inblock1300, the task assistant may detect the end of the reporting period. For example, the task assistant can analyze the user's calendar to determine the next event or, if the user is out of the office (e.g., on vacation), if the user has indicated a return date in the calendar. Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant may review one or more electronic communications to determine the end of the reporting period.
• Based on a detected return date, the task assistant can analyze the task(s) in the list of tasks provided to the user at the start of the reporting period. The task assistant may determine the status of each task in the list. In some embodiments, the task assistant may also determine any new tasks associated with the user that were created during the reporting period (block1304).
• Next, as shown inblock1306, the task assistant can generate a summary report indicating or summarizing the status of the task(s). When the task assistant determines a new task, the new task may also be included in the report. The summary report can be provided to an output device, such as a display. In some embodiments, a virtual assistant may present the summary report and any new tasks via an audio output.
• FIG.14 depicts an example graphical user interface that may present a summary report. In the illustrated embodiment, thegraphical user interface1400 includes apane1402 that displays asection1404 for completed tasks, asection1406 for tasks in process, and, when new tasks are created during the reporting period, asection1408 for new tasks. Other embodiments can include fewer or additional sections. Additionally or alternatively, the sections can display other headings for different status reports.
• Like the graphical user interface shown inFIG.6, asecond pane1410 may also be displayed in theuser interface1400. Theuser interface1400 can be associated with a particular application, such as an electronic communications application, a calendar application, and the like. Thus, thesecond pane1410 may present data associated with the particular application.
• Thesection1404 for completed tasks includes afirst task1412 and asecond task1414, and thesection1406 for tasks in process includes onetask1416. In some embodiments, thesection1408 for new tasks can configure thenew task1418 as an interactive task that includes one or more control elements. In the illustrated embodiment, thetask1410 is depicted with threecontrol elements620,622,624. Additionally, in some implementations, an electronic message (EM)attachment1420 related to thetask1418 may be attached to thetask1418.
• FIG.15 is a flowchart of an example first method of operating a task assistant. Initially, as shown inblock1500, activation of the task assistant is detected. As described previously, a user can enable the task assistant manually using a graphical control element presented in a user interface, a menu selection, taskbar, a keyboard shortcut, or a settings or user preference menu. In some embodiments, the task assistant can detect or infer a user will be out of the office and responsively provide task assistance.
• Next, as shown inblock1502, one or more tasks is determined for a reporting period. The reporting period can be specified by a user or inferred by the task assistant. For example, as previously described, the task assistant can infer a user will be out of the office for a given period of time, and the given period of time may be the reporting period.
• The identified tasks may be prioritized atblock1504 based on the reporting period and/or the content associated with the tasks. The PIP data associated with one or more calendars as well as the content of the events on the calendar(s) can be analyzed to prioritize the tasks. Additionally or alternatively, the PIP data associated with one or more electronic calendars and the content of the electronic communications may be reviewed to prioritize the tasks. In some implementations, the PIP data associated with reminders and the content associated with the reminders can be reviewed to prioritize the tasks.
• Next, as shown inblock1506, the tasks or the prioritized tasks are provided to an output device, or are caused to be provided to an output device. For example, the tasks, the prioritized tasks, or a portion of the task/prioritized tasks can be displayed at a display screen. Additionally or alternatively, the tasks, the prioritized tasks, or a portion of the task/prioritized tasks may be provided to a virtual assistant. The virtual assistant can generate an audio output that is output by a speaker. For example, the virtual assistant may “read” the tasks/prioritized tasks.
• One or more operations may be performed on a task atblock1508. The operations can include delegating a task, canceling a task, rescheduling a task, deferring a task, and/or indicating a task is completed. In some embodiments, a summary report may be generated and presented at the end of the reporting period (block1510). The summary report can include a status of each task, any new tasks that were assigned or associated with the user during the reporting period, and an indication of the tasks that were rescheduled, delegated, canceled, and/or deferred.
• FIG.16 is a flowchart of an example second method of operating a task assistant. The method is described in conjunction with a user going on a vacation. However, other embodiments are not limited to this implementation. The method can be used in situations where the user will be unavailable for a given period of time. For example, the user may be on a business trip or out of the office on personal time.
• Initially, as shown inblock1600, a determination is made as to whether the task assistant has detected the user will be on vacation (e.g., detects an upcoming vacation). If not, the method waits atblock1600. When the task assistant determines the user will be on vacation, the process passes to block1602 where the tasks associated with the user are determined based on the reporting period (e.g., the vacation time period). The tasks can be determined using the techniques described herein.
• Next, as shown in block1604, the task assistant may prioritize the tasks based on the reporting period. In some implementations, the task assistant prioritizes the tasks based on the content associated with the tasks as well as the reporting period. Block1604 is optional and can be omitted in other embodiments.
• The tasks are provided to an output device atblock1606. One or more operations may be performed on a task (block1608). For example, a task can be rescheduled or delegated. Alternatively, a task may be canceled or deferred. If the user completes the task, the user can indicate the task is completed.
• In some embodiments, the task assistant can alert the user to new or modified tasks while the user is on vacation (block1610). For example, the user may be assigned a new task, and based on the task and the content associated with the task, the task assistant can determine the new task has a high priority. The task assistant may generate an electronic communication, such as a notification, to alert the user to the new task. In some instances, the task assistant may also cause an audible alert to be provided to a speaker.
• Additionally or alternatively, a task may be modified while the user is on vacation. For example, the priority associated with the task may change (e.g., increase or decrease), or the actions associated with the task can change. The task assistant may generate an electronic communication, such as a notification, to alert the user to the new task. In some instances, the task assistant may also cause an audible alert to be provided to a speaker.
• A determination is then made atblock1612 as to whether the task assistant has determined the user has returned from vacation. The task assistant may detect the user has returned from vacation based on location data associated with the user or the computing device associated with the user. Additionally or alternatively, the task assistant may determine the user has returned from vacation by analyzing the PIP data associated with one or more applications (e.g., calendar application, electronic communication application). In some embodiments, the user may specify when he will return to the office, or the user can submit an input (e.g., a selection of a control element) to instruct the task assistant that the user has returned from vacation. When the task assistant detects the user has returned from the vacation, the process continues atblock1614 where a summary report is generated and provided to an output device.
• FIGS.17-19 and the associated descriptions provide a discussion of a variety of operating environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. However, the devices and systems illustrated and discussed with respect toFIGS.14-16 are for purposes of example and illustration and are not limiting of a vast number of electronic device configurations that may be utilized for practicing aspects of the disclosure, as described herein.
• FIG.17 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g., hardware) of anelectronic device1700 with which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. In a basic configuration, theelectronic device1700 may include at least oneprocessing device1702 and asystem memory1704. Anysuitable processing device1702 can be used. For example, theprocessing device1702 may be a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or combinations thereof.
• Depending on the configuration and type of theelectronic device1700, thesystem memory1704 may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile storage (e.g., random access memory), non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only memory), flash memory, or any combination of such memories. Thesystem memory1704 may include a number of program modules and data files, such as anoperating system1706 and one or more PIP applications andPIP data1708. While executing on theprocessing device1702, the PIP application(s) generate and update the PIP data.
• In some embodiments, theelectronic device1200 can include a machinelearning processing device1710 that executes atask assistant program1711. The machinelearning processing device1710 can be any suitable type of processing device. In a non-limiting example, the machinelearning processing device1710 may be a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, a graphic processing unit, or combinations thereof.
• While executing on the machinelearning processing device1710, thetask assistant application1711 may perform and/or cause to be performed processes including, but not limited to, the aspects as described herein. The machinelearning processing device1710 and thetask assistant program1711 can be any suitable type of machine learning or artificial intelligence that learns over time and improves the task assistant processes. For example, thetask assistant application1711, executing on the machinelearning processing device1710, can learn the user's preferred times for meetings, identify which attendees to consider first when delegating a task, improve the process of prioritization based on the user's preferences and interactions with the task assistant, and the like. Using the learned aspects of task assistance, over time thetask assistant application1711 and machinelearning processing device1710 may become more efficient and effective in identifying tasks, prioritizing tasks, and/or performing operations on the tasks.
• Theoperating system1706, for example, may be suitable for controlling the operation of theelectronic device1700. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or any other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system. This basic configuration is illustrated inFIG.17 by those components within a dashedline1712.
• Theelectronic device1700 may have additional features or functionality. For example, theelectronic device1700 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG.17 by aremovable storage device1714 and anon-removable storage device1716.
• Theelectronic device1700 may also have one or more input device(s)1718 such as a keyboard, a trackpad, a mouse, a pen, a sound or voice input device, a touch, force and/or swipe input device, etc. The output device(s)1720 such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. The aforementioned devices are examples and others may be used. One ormore location devices1722 may be included in theelectronic device1700. For example, theelectronic device1700 can include a global positioning device.
• Theelectronic device1700 may include one ormore communication devices1724 allowing communications with otherelectronic devices1726. Examples ofsuitable communication devices1724 include, but are not limited to, radio frequency (RF) transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver circuitry, universal serial bus (USB), parallel, and/or serial ports.
• The term computer-readable media as used herein may include computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, or program modules.
• Thesystem memory1704, theremovable storage device1714, and thenon-removable storage device1716 are all computer storage media examples (e.g., memory storage or storage device). Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacture which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by theelectronic device1700. Any such computer storage media may be part of theelectronic device1700. Computer storage media does not include a carrier wave or other propagated or modulated data signal.
• Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media.
• Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements or microprocessors. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced via a system-on-a-chip (SOC) where each or many of the components illustrated inFIG.17 may be integrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such an SOC device may include one or more processing units, graphics units, communications units, system virtualization units and various application functionality all of which are integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit.
• When operating via an SOC, the functionality, described herein, with respect to the capability of client to switch protocols may be operated via application-specific logic integrated with other components of theelectronic device900 on the single integrated circuit (chip). Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.
• FIGS.18A and18B illustrate a mobileelectronic device1800, for example, a mobile telephone, a smart phone, wearable computer (such as a smart watch), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, with which embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. With reference toFIG.18A, one aspect of a mobileelectronic device1800 for implementing the aspects described herein is illustrated.
• In a basic configuration, the mobileelectronic device1800 is a handheld computer having both input elements and output elements. The mobileelectronic device1800 typically includes adisplay1802 and one ormore input buttons1804 that allow the user to enter information into the mobileelectronic device1800. Thedisplay1802 of the mobileelectronic device1800 may also function as an input device (e.g., a display that accepts touch and/or force input).
• If included, an optionalside input element1806 allows further user input. Theside input element1806 may be a rotary switch, a button, or any other type of manual input element. In alternative aspects, mobileelectronic device1800 may incorporate more or less input elements. For example, thedisplay1802 may not be a touch screen in some embodiments. In yet another alternative embodiment, the mobileelectronic device1800 is a portable phone system, such as a cellular phone. The mobileelectronic device1800 may also include anoptional keypad1808.Optional keypad1808 may be a physical keypad or a “soft” keypad generated on the touch screen display.
• In various embodiments, the output elements include thedisplay1802 for showing a graphical user interface (GUI) of a PIP program, a visual indicator1810 (e.g., a light emitting diode), and/or an audio transducer1812 (e.g., a speaker). In some aspects, the mobileelectronic device1800 incorporates a vibration transducer for providing the user with tactile feedback. In yet another aspect, the mobileelectronic device1800 incorporates input and/or output ports, such as an audio input (e.g., a microphone jack), an audio output (e.g., a headphone jack), and a video output (e.g., a HDMI port) for sending signals to or receiving signals from an external device.
• FIG.18B is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of one aspect of a mobileelectronic device1800. That is, the mobileelectronic device1800 can incorporate a system (e.g., an architecture)1814 to implement some aspects. In one embodiment, thesystem1814 is implemented as a “smart phone” capable of running one or more applications (e.g., browser, e-mail, calendaring, contact managers, messaging clients, games, media clients/players, diagramming, and sharing applications and so on). In some aspects, thesystem1814 is integrated as an electronic device, such as an integrated personal digital assistant (PDA) and wireless phone.
• One ormore application programs1816 may be loaded into thememory1818 and run on or in association with theoperating system1820. Examples of the application programs include phone dialer programs, e-mail programs, PIP programs, a task assistant program, word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs, messaging programs, and so forth.
• Thesystem1814 also includes anon-volatile storage area1822 within thememory1818. Thenon-volatile storage area1822 may be used to store persistent information that should not be lost when thesystem1814 is powered down.
• Theapplication programs1816 may use and store information in thenon-volatile storage area1822, such as PIP data, documents, or other messages used by an email application, and the like. A synchronization application (not shown) also resides on thesystem1814 and is programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronization application resident on a host computer to keep the information stored in thenon-volatile storage area1822 synchronized with corresponding information stored at the host computer.
• Thesystem1814 has apower supply1824, which may be implemented as one or more batteries. The power supply1024 may further include an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements or recharges the batteries.
• One ormore location devices1825 may be included in thesystem1814. For example, thesystem1814 can include a global positioning device.
• Thesystem1814 may also include aradio interface layer1826 that performs the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequency communications. Theradio interface layer1826 facilitates wireless connectivity between thesystem1814 and the “outside world,” via a communications carrier or service provider. Transmissions to and from theradio interface layer1826 are conducted under control of theoperating system1820. In other words, communications received by theradio interface layer1826 may be disseminated to theapplication programs1816 via theoperating system1820, and vice versa.
• Thevisual indicator1810 may be used to provide visual notifications, and/or anaudio interface1828 may be used for producing audible notifications via an audio transducer (e.g.,audio transducer1812 illustrated inFIG.18A). In the illustrated embodiment, thevisual indicator1810 is a light emitting diode (LED) and theaudio transducer1812 may be a speaker. These devices may be directly coupled to thepower supply1824 so that when activated, they remain on for a duration dictated by the notification mechanism even though theprocessor1830 and other components might shut down for conserving battery power. The LED may be programmed to remain on indefinitely until the user takes action to indicate the powered-on status of the device.
• Theaudio interface1828 is used to provide audible signals to and receive audible signals from the user (e.g., voice input such as described above). For example, in addition to being coupled to theaudio transducer1812, theaudio interface1828 may also be coupled to a microphone to receive audible input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the microphone may also serve as an audio sensor to facilitate control of notifications, as will be described below.
• Thesystem1814 may further include avideo interface1832 that enables an operation of peripheral device1834 (e.g., on-board camera) to record still images, video stream, and the like.
• A mobileelectronic device1800 implementing thesystem1814 may have additional features or functionality. For example, the mobileelectronic device1800 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG.18B by thenon-volatile storage area1822.
• Data/information generated or captured by the mobileelectronic device1800 and stored via thesystem1814 may be stored locally on the mobileelectronic device1800, as described above, or the data may be stored on any number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via theradio interface layer1826 or via a wired connection between the mobileelectronic device1800 and a separate electronic device associated with the mobileelectronic device1800, for example, a server-computing device in a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (e.g.,server computing device1918 inFIG.19). As should be appreciated such data/information may be accessed via the mobileelectronic device1800 via theradio interface layer1826 or via a distributed computing network. Similarly, such data/information may be readily transferred between electronic devices for storage and use according to well-known data/information transfer and storage means, including electronic mail and collaborative data/information sharing systems.
• As should be appreciated,FIG.18A andFIG.18B are described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and is not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps or a particular combination of hardware or software components.
• FIG.19 is a block diagram illustrating a distributed system in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. The system includes aPIP program1902 in a general computing device1904 (e.g., a desktop computer), atablet computing device1906, and/or amobile computing device1908. Thegeneral computing device1904, thetablet computing device1906, and themobile computing device1908 can each include the components, or be connected to the components, that are shown associated with theelectronic device1700 inFIG.17 or the mobileelectronic device1800 inFIGS.18A-18B.
• Thegeneral computing device1904, thetablet computing device1906, and themobile computing device1908 are each configured to access one or more networks (represented by network1910) to interact with aPIP1912 and/or atask assistant program1914 stored in one or more storage devices (represented by storage device1916) and executed on one or more server computing devices (represented by server computing device1918). In some aspects, theserver computing device1918 can access and/or receive various types of services, communications, documents and information transmitted from other sources, such as aweb portal1920, anelectronic communications services1922,directory services1924, instant messaging and/ortext services1926, and/orsocial networking services1928. In some instances, these sources may provide robust reporting, analytics, data compilation and/or storage service, etc., whereas other services may provide search engines or other access to data and information, images, graphics, videos, document processing and the like.
• As should be appreciated,FIG.19 is described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and is not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps or a particular combination of hardware or software components.
• Aspects of the present disclosure, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to aspects of the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
• The description and illustration of one or more aspects provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the disclosure as claimed in any way. The aspects, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed disclosure. The claimed disclosure should not be construed as being limited to any aspect, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternative aspects falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claimed disclosure.

Claims (20)

1. A method, comprising:

determining, by a computing device, tasks associated with a user in a reporting period based on personal information program (PIP) data associated with an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, a collaborative application, or an electronic communication application;

determining, by the computing device, a priority of each task based on the reporting period and content associated with the task to produce prioritized tasks; and

causing at least a portion of the prioritized tasks to be provided to an output device.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising determining, by the computing device, a delegate for a task based on a request to delegate the task.

3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising determining, by the computing device, a reschedule date for a task based on a request to reschedule the task.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the task comprises a meeting and the reschedule date is determined based on events in an electronic calendar associated with the user and events in an electronic calendar associated with one or more other attendees to the meeting.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:

the reporting period comprises a time period when the user will be unavailable; and

the method further comprises prior to determining the tasks associated with the user, determining, by the computing device, the user will be unavailable during the reporting based on the PIP data associated with the electronic calendar application, the electronic reminder application, the electronic contacts application, the electronic collaborative application, or the electronic communication application.

6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the method further comprises determining, by the computing device, the reporting period has ended and the user is available based on location data associated with the user.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining, by the computing device, the reporting period has ended and the user is available based on the PIP data associated with at least one of the electronic calendar application, the electronic reminder application, the electronic contacts application, the electronic collaborative application, or the electronic communication application.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining the tasks associated with the user in the reporting period further comprises determining the tasks associated with the user in the reporting period based on tasks associated with a time period prior to the reporting period.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein causing the at least the portion of the prioritized tasks to be provided to the output device comprises causing the at least the portion of the prioritized tasks to be displayed in a single user interface on a display screen.

10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the content associated with each task comprises one or more of:

data associated with a structure of an organization associated with the user;

other users associated with the task;

one or more documents associated with the task;

a deadline associated with the task; or

a subject of the task.

11. A system, comprising:

a processing device; and

a memory storing instructions, that when executed by the processing device, cause the system to:

determine tasks associated with a user in a reporting period based on personal information program (PIP) data associated with at least one of an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, an electronic collaborative application, or an electronic communication application;

determine a priority of the tasks based on the reporting period and content associated with each task to produce prioritized tasks; and

cause the prioritized tasks to be provided to an output device.

12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the memory stores further instructions for causing the system to:

determine a delegatee for a task based on a request to delegate the task; and

determine a reschedule date for a task based on a request to reschedule the task.

13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein:

the reporting period comprises a time period when the user will be unavailable; and

the memory stores further instructions for causing the system to determine, prior to determining the tasks, the user will be unavailable during the reporting period based on the PIP data associated with at least one of the electronic calendar application, the electronic reminder application, the electronic contacts application, the collaborative application, or the electronic communication application.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the memory stores further instructions for causing the system to determine the user is available based on location data associated with the user.

15. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the memory stores further instructions for causing the system to determine the reporting period has ended and the user is available based on the PIP data associated with at least one of the electronic calendar application, the electronic reminder application, the electronic contacts application, the collaborative application, or the electronic communication application.

16. The system ofclaim 11, wherein determining the tasks associated with the user in the reporting period comprises determining the tasks associated with the user in the reporting period based on tasks associated with a time period prior to the reporting period.

17. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the content associated with each task comprises:

data associated with a structure of an organization associated with the user;

other users associated with the task;

one or more documents associated with the task;

a deadline associated with the task; or

a subject of the task.

18. A method, comprising:

determining, by a processing device, a plurality of tasks associated with a user in a reporting period by analyzing personal information program (PIP) data associated with an electronic calendar application, an electronic reminder application, an electronic contacts application, or an electronic communication application;

determining, by the processing device, a priority of each task in the plurality of tasks based on the reporting period and content associated with the task to produce a plurality of prioritized tasks; and

causing, by the processing device, a portion of the plurality of prioritized tasks to be displayed in a user interface, wherein one of the plurality of prioritized tasks comprises an interactive notification comprising one or more control elements that each enable the user to perform an operation on the task.

19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the operation comprises delegating the task or rescheduling the task.

20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the operation comprises canceling the task, deferring the task, or indicating the task is completed.

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