GB2328533A

GB2328533A - Method for managing personal information

Info

Publication number: GB2328533A
Application number: GB9806480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byung-Gul Lim
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-08-18
Filing date: 1998-03-27
Publication date: 1999-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-27
Also published as: CN1208895A; JPH1166104A; GB9806480D0; KR19990016584A; CN1098495C; KR100241745B1; JP3021417B2; GB2328533B

Abstract

A method for managing personal information of a personal digital assistant. The method includes the steps of: displaying information, which is classified by information type and includes unclassified information (UN), on different retrieval windows according to a personal information management command of a user, and displaying keys (N,U) for registering new information; if the user selects a key for registering new unclassified information (N), displaying an unclassified information input window (UN); and saving the unclassified information registered through the unclassified information input window and its identification information.

Description

METHOD FOR MANAGING PERSONAL INFORMATION The present invention relates to a personal digital assistant, and in particular, to a method for managing personal information.

A personal digital assistant (PDA) such as an organizer provides a personal information management (PIM) function. To provide such a PIM function, the PDA has a plurality of PIM programs including, for example, a scheduler for managing a personal schedule, a to-do list for writing work to do, a telephone book for writing telephone numbers, a memo for taking notes. In general, the PIM programs provided from the PDA are individually operated. Hence, a user operates the PIM programs one by one in order to retrieve personal information.

Further, when writing personal information, the user must judge where the personal information belongs amongst the PIM programs and write the personal information in a corresponding PIM program. If the personal information is ambiguous and it is difficult to select the PIM program to which the personal information belongs, the user may arbitrarily write the personal information in any of the PIM programs without consistency. Then the use may not know what data is saved in the PIM programs.

The PIM programs provided from the PDA are individually installed. Therefore, the PIM programs should be individually driven in order to retrieve the personal information. Moreover, the user has written the personal information by selectively driving the PIM program to which the personal information belongs. When writing ambiguous information for which it is difficult to select an appropriate PIM program, the user will have written the personal information in the PIM programs without consistency according to circumstances. This brings about difficulty in retrieving the personal information.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for managing personal information, which is convenient to retrieve numerous personal information and prevents the personal information from being wrongly classified in a personal information program.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for managing personal information of a personal digital assistant includes the steps of: displaying information which is classified by identification information and includes unclassified information on different retrieval windows according to a personal information management command of a user, and displaying keys for registering new information; if the user selects a key for registering new unclassified information, displaying an unclassified information input window; and saving the unclassified information registered through unclassified information input window and its identification information.

For a better understanding of the invent ion, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a personal digital assistant; Figure 2 illustrates a preferred software configuration of a personal digital assistant; Figures 3A to 3C are flow charts showing a personal information managing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4 to 10 show windows for managing and registering personal information according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 11 shows format of personal information according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practised without these specific details.

In other instances, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Referring to Figure 1, a personal digital assistant is illustrated. A microprocessor 10 controls the overall operation of the personal digital assistant. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14 save a program of the microprocessor 10 and data. A touch panel 16 senses that the user's hand or pen is touched and generates a sensing signal. The sensing signal generated from the touch panel 16 is transmitted to the microprocessor 10 through an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 18. The microprocessor 10 senses information registered by the user. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 20 displays images by the control of the microprocessor 10.

A flash memory 24 saves a program and data. A PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) controller 26 and a PCMCIA card slot 28 make it possible to extend the memory and to use an input/output device.

A controller 22 controls the flash memory 24 and the PCMCIA controller 26. There is also provided a power supplier (not shown) for supplying a power source to the personal digital assistant.

The foregoing described personal digital assistant has software for managing integrated personal information.

The configuration of such software is shown in Figure 2.

A file system saves information in the flash memory 24 and manages the information. An operating system is in charge of system operation. A data base management system efficiently classifies data for easy management, retrieval and arrangement. An unclassified personal information engine constructs, saves and retrieves unclassified personal information. A scheduler engine constructs, saves and retrieves schedule information. A to-do list engine constructs, saves and retrieves to-do list information. A telephone number engine constructs, saves and retrieves telephone number information.. A memo engine constructs, saves and retrieves memo information. A personal information input/output manager manages input/output of information related to the personal information management.

A personal information managing method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 3A to 3C. At step 30, the microprocessor 10 checks whether a personal information management command is received through the touch panel 16.

If not, the microprocessor 10 carries out a corresponding operation at step 32. If the personal information management command is received, the microprocessor 10 reads the personal information corresponding to the current date and time from the flash memory 24 and controls the LCD 20 to display a personal information management window corresponding to the current date and time.

As shown in Figure 2, since the personal digital assistant includes the scheduler engine, to-do list engine, telephone number engine, memo engine, and unclassified personal information engine, etc., the personal information saved in the flash memory 24 is schedule information, to-do list information, telephone number information, memo information, unclassified personal information, etc.

The format of the personal information saved in the flash memory 24 is indicated in Figure 11. Each personal information has an area for classifying each information, an area for saving the date and time of information creation, and an area for saving the contents of information. The schedule information is divided into information about: classification; year, month, day, hcur and minute of information creation; year, month, day, hour and minute in which the schedule is started; time indicating schedule duration; alarm; and contents of the schedule. The to-do list information is divided into information about: classification; year, month, day, hour and minute of information creation; processing state; and contents of the to-do list. The telephone number information is divided into information about: classification; year, month, day, hour and minute of information creation; name; telephone number; company; title; facsimile number; address; and memo. The memo information is divided into information about: classification; year, month, day, hour and minute of information creation; title of the memo; and contents of the memo. The unclassified information is divided into information about: classification; year, month, day, hour and minute of information creation; and contents of the unclassified information.

The personal information management window corresponding to the current date and time is illustrated in Figure 4. The current date and time and various command input keys are situated on the upper portion of the personal information management window. That is, a new input key N, an update key U of the selected personal information, a delete key D of the selected personal information, a return key B to the current date and time, and an end key E are displayed in addition to the current date and time. The personal information management window has one window showing the date, and five windows corresponding to five personal information programs. That is, there are a unclassified information window UN, a schedule information window S, a date information window DT, a telephone number information window T, a to-do list information window DO and a memo information window M.

In the unclassified information window UN, the unclassified information corresponding the current date and time out of the information saved in the flash memory 24 is displayed. For example, there is information such as "make an appointment with LEE in CHONGRO at 12:00", "submit a report", "collect PDA data", and the like. In the schedule information window S, the schedule information corresponding to the current date and time out of the information saved in the flash memory 24 is displayed. For example, information such as 1,monthly meeting from 8:00 to 9:00", "social meeting from 12:00 to 12:50", etc. In the date information window DT, the year, month and day corresponding to current date are displayed on the upper portion of the personal information management window are displayed in a calendar form. At the right and left sides of the year, direction keys for incrementing or decrementing the year are displayed. At the right and left sides of the month, direction keys for incrementing or decrementing the month are displayed. A box BO showing the day of 6 indicates the current date.

The user can display the personal information management window of a desired date by shifting the box BO. In the telephone number information window T, there are positioned a window I for registering a name and a company, select keys for selecting the name, company or total, and a search key SE for searching the name and company registered in the window I. In the to-do list information window DO, the to-do list information saved is displayed. For instance, "Analyze patent", "Prepare patent", "Search PDA web site" etc. are displayed. In the memo information window, the memo information saved in the flash memory 24 is displayed. For example, work evaluation, work division completion, etc. are displayed.

A screen zoom key Z is situated at the right, upper portion of each of the unclassified information window UN, schedule information window S, telephone number information window T, to-do list information window DO and memo information window M. The screen zoom key Z commands a zoom in/zoom out operation of a corresponding window.

Referring back to Figure 3A, after the personal information management window is displayed, it is checked at step 36 whether the user selects the new input key N.

If not, step 36 proceeds to step 102 to retrieve, update or delete the existing information.

If the new input key N is selected, a new input window shown in Figure 5 is displayed at step 38.

Referring to Figure 5, a combo box CB for selecting input information is positioned at the upper portion of the new input window. When clicking "s" of the combo box CB, a menu indicated in Figure 5 is displayed. The menu consists of unclassification, schedule, to-do list, memo and telephone number. An end key E for returning to the information management window is positioned at the right, upper portion of the new input window. After the new input window is displayed, it is checked at step 40 whether the user selects the unclassification menu of the combo box CB in order to register the unclassified information.

If the unclassification of the combo box CB is not selected, step 40 proceeds to step 52. If it is selected, an unclassified information input window is displayed at step 42. The unclassified information input window is shown in Figure 6. Referring to Figure 6, the combo box CB of the upper portion of the unclassified information input window indicates that the unclassification is selected.

A save key SV1 for saving the unclassified information and an end key El for ending the new input of the unclassified information are situated at the right, upper portion of the unclassified information input window. After the unclassified information input window is displayed at step 42, the unclassified information is registered at step 44.

At step 46, whether the user selects the save key SV1 is checked. If so, the unclassified information is saved in the flash memory 24 in the form of the format indicated in Figure 11 at step 48 which is followed by step 50. If the save key SVl is not selected, step 46 proceeds to step 50.

At step 50, whether the user selects the end key El is checked. If it is selected, step 50 returns to step 38 to display the new input window. If it is not selected, step 50 returns to step 44 to continue to register the unclassified information.

It is checked at step 52 whether the user selects the schedule menu of the combo box CB in the new input window.

If not, step 52 proceeds to step 64. If it is selected, a schedule information input window indicated in Figure 7 is displayed at step 54. Referring to Figure 7, the schedule menu is displayed according to the selection by the user. A save key SV2 for saving the schedule information and an end key E2 for ending the new input of the schedule information are situated at the right, upper portion of the schedule information input window. Windows for registering the schedule time and an alarm select combo box for selecting alarm are positioned at the lower portion of those keys. The alarm can select one of no alarm, exact time alarm, 5 minute-before-alarm and 10 minute-before-alarm. A window for registering the schedule information is situated at the lower portion of the schedule information input window. After the schedule information input window is displayed at step 54, the schedule information is registered at step 56. At step 58, whether the user selects the save key SV2 is monitored. If so, the schedule information is saved in the flash memory 24 in the form of the format indicated in Figure 11 at step 60 which is followed by step 62. If the save key SV2 is not selected, step 58 proceeds to step 62.

At step 62, a check is made to see if the user selects the end key E2. If it is selected, step 62 returns to step 38 to display the new input window. If it is not selected, step 62 returns to step 56 to continue to register the schedule information.

It is checked at step 64 whether the user selects the to-do list menu in the new input window. If not, step 64 proceeds to step 76. If it is selected, a to-do list information input window indicated in Figure 8 is displayed at step 66. Referring to Figure 8, the to-do list menu is displayed according to the selection of the user. A save key SV3 for saving the to-do list information and an end key E3 for ending the new input of the to-do list information are situated at the right, upper portion of the to-do list information input window.

A combo box for deciding the priority of the to-do list is situated at the lower portion of those keys. A window for registering the to-do list information is situated at the lower portion of the to- do list information input window.

After the to-do list information input window is displayed at step 66, the to-do list information is registered at step 68. At step 70, a check is made to see if the user selects the save key SV3. If so, the to-do list information is saved in the form of the flash memory 24 in the format indicated in Figure 11 at step 72. If the save key SV3 is not selected, step 70 proceeds to step 74. At step 74, whether the user selects the end key E3 is checked. If it is selected, step 74 returns to step 38 to display the new input window. If it is not selected, step 74 returns to step 68 to continue to register the to-do list information.

It is checked at step 76 whether the user selects the telephone number menu in the new input window. If not, step 76 proceeds to step 88. If it is selected, a telephone number information input window is displayed at step 78. The telephone number input window is indicated in Figure 9. Referring to Figure 9, the telephone number menu is displayed according to the selection of the user.

A save key SV4 for saving the telephone number information and an end key E4 for ending the new input of the telephone number information are situated at the right, upper portion of the telephone number information input window. Windows for registering name, telephone number, company, title, etc. are positioned at the next lower portion of the telephone number information input window.

After the telephone number information input window is displayed at step 78, the telephone number information is registered at step 80. At step 82, whether the user selects the save key SV4 is checked. If so, the telephone number information is saved in the flash memory 24 in the form of the format indicated in Figure 11 at step 84. If the save key SV4 is not selected, step 82 proceeds to step 86. At step 86, whether the user selects the end key E4 is checked. If it is selected, step 86 returns to step 38 to display the new input window. If it is not selected, step 86 returns to step 80 to continue to register the telephone number information.

At step 88, whether the user selects the memo menu in the new input window is checked. If not, step 88 proceeds to step 100. If it is selected, a memo information input window indicated in Figure 10 is displayed at step 90.

Referring to Figure 10, the memo menu is displayed according to the selection of the user. A save key SV5 for saving the memo information and an end key E5 for ending the new input of the memo information are situated at the right, upper portion of the memo information input window. A window for registering a title and a window for registering the contents of the memo is situated at the next lower portion of the memo information input window.

After the memo information input window is displayed at step 90, the memo information is registered at step 92.

At step 94, whether the user selects the save key SV5 is checked. If so, the memo information is saved in the flash memory 24 in the form of the format shown in Figure 11 at step 96. If the save key SV5 is not selected, step 94 proceeds to step 98. At step 98, whether the user selects the end key ES is checked. If it is selected, step 98 returns to step 38 to display the new input window. If it is not selected, step 98 returns to step 92 to continue to register the memo information.

At step 100, it is checked whether the user selects the end key E in the new input window. If so, step 100 returns to step 34 to display the personal information management window. If it is not selected, step 100 returns to step 38 to display the new input window.

It is checked at step 102 whether the user selects the update key U after selecting any information out of the information displayed in the personal information management window. If not, step 102 proceeds to step 108.

If the update key U is selected, a corresponding personal information input window is displayed at step 104. At step 106, new personal information is updated.

The user can vary the kind of the information as well as the information. The information updated by the user is saved in the flash memory 24 in the form of the format shown in Figure 11. Step 106 is followed by step 36.

It is checked at step 108 whether the user selects the delete key D after selecting any information out of the information displayed in the personal information management window. If the delete key D is selected, the corresponding personal information is deleted at step 110.

If the delete key D is not selected at step 108, it is checked at step 112 whether the user operates the box BO or the direction keys of the right and left sides of the year and month in the date information window. If not, step 112 proceeds to step 116, and if so, the personal information management window of a corresponding date is displayed at step 118. Step 118 returns to step 36.

It is checked at step 116 whether the user selects the return key B of the personal information management window. If it is selected, the personal information management window of the current date is displayed at step 118. Step 118 returns to step 36.

If the return key B is not selected at step 116, it is checked at step 120 whether the user selects the screen zoom in key of the personal information management window.

If so, a corresponding window is zoomed in at step 122.

At step 124, whether the user selects the screen zoom out key is monitored. If it is selected, the personal information management window is displayed at step 126.

Scep 126 returns to step 36.

It is checked at step 128 whether the user selects the end key E. If it is selected, the personal information management is ended, and if not, step 128 returns to step 36.

As described above, if information is ambiguous to be classified, the user registers it as the unclassified information. The user may save the unclassified information as the information of another kind in a updating process. Therefore, difficulty generated when the ambiguous personal information is wrongly classified can be prevented. Furthermore, since all the personal information is displayed on one window, it is convenient to retrieve the personal information.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only by- the following claims.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for managing personal information of a personal digital assistant, said method comprising the steps of: displaying information which is classified by an information type identifier, including an unclassified information type, on different retrieval windows according to a personal information management command of a user, and displaying keys for registering new information; if the user selects a key for registering new unclassified information, displaying an unclassified information input window; and saving said unclassified information registered through said unclassified information input window and its information type identifier.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: if the user selects an update command for updating one of said displayed unclassified information, displaying an unclassified information update window; and updating said unclassified information according to update information registered through said unclassified information update window.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of, if the user commands to classify said unclassified information as another information type, updating said unclassified information to information classified by another information type identifier.

4. A method for managing personal information, comprising the steps of: displaying, according to a personal information management command of a user, an unclassified information management window for displaying unclassified information, a schedule information management window for displaying schedule information corresponding to current date and time, a date management window for displaying date information, a telephone number information management window for displaying telephone number information, a to-do list information management window for displaying to-do list information, a memo information management window for displaying memo information, a new input key for registering new information, a delete key for deleting selected information, and an update key for updating selected information, said unclassified, schedule, telephone number, to-do list and memo information being saved in a memory; if the user selects said new input key, displaying a combo box for selecting an identification of new input information; if the user selects any identification through said combo box, displaying a new input window for registering said new information; if said new information is registered, saving said new information and its identification in said memory and deleting said new input window; if the user selects said update key, displaying a corresponding management window and updating corresponding information; and if the user selects said delete key, deleting selected information.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of, if the user commands to change the identification of information through said combo box, updating the identification of corresponding information to another identification.

6. A method for managing personal information, said method for use in a personal digital assistant, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of retrieval windows, each retrieval window displaying information classified by one of a plurality of information type identifiers, said plurality of information type identifiers including an unclassified information type; displaying keys for user input of new information, associated with said plurality of information type identifiers; if the user selects said key associated with said unclassified information type, displaying an unclassified information type input window; saving any information input through said unclassified information input window and its associated information type identifier.

7. A method substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 2 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.