Unmet Need / Invention Novelty: Task scheduling and management can be challenging activities, particularly when many tasks are involved. Typical illustrations of task sequences are depicted as linear graphics such as calendars or Gantt charts. While both circular clock displays and linear schedules can be used individually, maximum efficiency may be achieved when both displays are used in conjunction with one another as they are singularly unable to visualize real-time data for multiple simultaneous tasks. In order to enhance the efficiency of concurrent and asynchronous tasks, we report a time/task management display incorporating elements of both circular and linear visualization methods.
Technical Details: Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Hospital have developed a novel task scheduling tool for enhanced real-time task monitoring and data visualization. This novel display incorporates a series of concentric circles to enhance situational awareness of multiple simultaneous activities. Each concentric circle corresponds to either user selectable or automatically assigned tasks to provide deconfliction as the “current time” indicator sweeps around the circular display. Various sectors within each concentric circle are colored to correspond to the beginning and end of an event or activity. Each concentric circle may then be linearly expanded to show detailed information and dynamic occurrences for the time period spanning the start and end periods on the clock visualization. Together, these data suggest this being a valuable new tool to minimize schedule conflict and maximize resource allocation.
Value Proposition:
· Novel scheduling tool that enables visualization of multiple concurrent tasks for maximized scheduling efficiency
· Enables workload optimization by displaying past noteworthy occurrences and future activities
· Real time actions are shown as they occur
· Applicability in virtually any domain including patient care, human resources, and equipment scheduling
Looking for Partners to: Develop and commercialize the technology into task planning or scheduling software.
Stage of Development: Concept
Inventors: Rhonda Wyskiel, Alan Ravitz, Otis Doss, Grace Tran
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s): Not available at this time
