Compact zoomable date picker
View Patent ↗Facilitating date selection by a user includes presenting the user with a single timeline band, causing the band to change granularity of date increments in response to the user zooming in and zooming out on the band, causing the band to present different dates based on band positioning initiated by the user, and allowing selection by the user of a date that is presented on the band to the user. The band may show less granular date increments in response to the user zooming in on the band and the band may show more granular date increments in response to the user zooming out on the band. In response to zooming in, a date presented to the user in connection with a less granular view of the band may become part of the date selected by the user.
1. A method of facilitating date selection by a user, comprising:
presenting the user with a single timeline band;
causing the band to change granularity of date increments in response to the user zooming in and zooming out on the band;
causing the band to present different dates based on band positioning initiated by the user by providing a stationary indicator that indicates different dates as the band scrolls past the indicator based on a position of the indicator and dates on the band relative to the stationary indicator;
displaying a moveable indicator that indicates a group of dates before or after a date that is presented on the band to the user according to the stationary indicator, wherein the movable indicator merges with the stationary indicator and a new moveable indicator appears in response to the band positioning initiated by the user; and
allowing selection by the user of the date that is presented on the band to the user.
2. A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the band shows less granular date increments in response to the user zooming in on the band and the band shows more granular date increments in response to the user zooming out on the band.
3. A method, according to claim 2 , where zooming out is provided by a pinching gesture and zooming in is provided by a reverse pinching gesture.
4. A method, according to claim 2 , wherein, in response to zooming in, a date presented to the user in connection with a less granular view of the band becomes part of the date selected by the user.
5. A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the date includes a time of day.
6. A method, according to claim 5 , wherein the time of day includes seconds.
7. A method, according to claim 1 , wherein prior to zooming in and zooming out of the band, the granularity is set to a default level.
8. A method, according to claim 7 , wherein a default date and time are set to a current date and time.
9. A method, according to claim 7 , wherein the default level of granularity is set by the user.
10. A method, according to claim 7 , wherein portions of two months are displayed on the band simultaneously in response to a current date being close to an end of a month.
11. A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying world-wide dates and times using a world map, wherein a same time in different time zones is shown as local time in a corresponding one of the zones.
12. A method, according to claim 11 , wherein local times are recalculated as the user views different parts of the world map corresponding to different time zones.
13. Computer software, provided in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, that facilitates date selection by a user, the software comprising:
executable code that presents the user with a single timeline band;
executable code that causes the band to change granularity of date increments in response to the user zooming in and zooming out on the band;
executable code that causes the band to present different dates based on band positioning initiated by the user by providing a stationary indicator that indicates different dates as the band scrolls past the indicator based on a position of the indicator and dates on the band relative to the stationary indicator;
executable code that displays a moveable indicator that indicates a group of dates before or after a date that is presented on the band to the user according to the stationary indicator, wherein the movable indicator merges with the stationary indicator and a new moveable indicator appears in response to the band positioning initiated by the user
executable code that allows selection by the user of the date that is presented on the band to the user.
14. Computer software, according to claim 13 , wherein the band shows less granular date increments in response to the user zooming in on the band and the band shows more granular date increments in response to the user zooming out on the band.
15. Computer software, according to claim 14 , where zooming out is provided by a pinching gesture and zooming in is provided by a reverse pinching gesture.
16. Computer software, according to claim 14 , wherein, in response to zooming in, a date presented to the user in connection with a less granular view of the band becomes part of the date selected by the user.
17. Computer software, according to claim 13 , wherein the date includes a time of day.
18. Computer software, according to claim 17 , wherein the time of day includes seconds.
19. Computer software, according to claim 13 , wherein prior to zooming in and zooming out of the band, the granularity is set to a default level.
20. Computer software, according to claim 19 , wherein a default date and time are set to a current date and time.
21. Computer software, according to claim 19 , wherein the default level of granularity is set by the user.
22. Computer software, according to claim 19 , wherein portions of two months are displayed on the band simultaneously in response to a current date being close to an end of a month.
23. Computer software, according to claim 13 , further comprising:
executable code that displays world-wide dates and times using a world map, wherein a same time in different time zones is shown as local time in a corresponding one of the zones.
24. Computer software, according to claim 23 , wherein local times are recalculated as the user views different parts of the world map corresponding to different time zones.
25. Computer software, according to claim 13 , wherein band positioning initiated by the user includes tapping the band.