EP1183628A1

EP1183628A1 - Electronic resource system

Info

Publication number: EP1183628A1
Application number: EP00912412A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ralph Kofoed; Joachim Betinger Andersen
Original assignee: Basil Products AS
Current assignee: Basil Products AS
Priority date: 1999-03-26
Filing date: 2000-03-24
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: WO2000058877A2; WO2000058877A3; AU3419000A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic resource system in the form of a single-user or multi-user system on one or more computers, with a graphic user interface, where a resource area is defined between a number of objects and a reference axis, and divided into a number of partial references, and made up by a number of microfields, at least one of the microfields being associated with at least one object and one partial reference, and where all microfields associated with an object form a microfield, and at least one of the microfields is associated with information which indicates whether the microfield is in a marked or non-marked state, where a marked microfield is shown on the user interface in such a way that it distinguishes itself from a non-marked microfield, and where the establishment of a first reference point and a second reference point by using a computer input device, such as a computer mouse, results in any microfield, enclosed between the first and the second reference point, being converted to marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with precisely one object, and said microfields forming a grouping by this marking which is stored in a data storage medium where the data storage medium is adapted to store at least two groupings, and no groupings have marked microfields in common. The present invention also relates to methods of use in connection with the electronic resource system.

Description

ELECTRONIC RESOURCE SYSTEM

Background of the invention The invention relates to an electronic resource system as well as methods for use in an electronic resource system, an access and control system for a building and/or area and system.

Many different systems have previously been suggested for time planning for one or more persons in an as expedient way as possible. Earlier systems were of a physical nature and more recent electronic systems have appeared on the market.

Among the physical systems, which have been taken into widespread use, are notice boards with small "knobs" which enable blocks to be affixed onto the board. In this way a notice board can be used, for example, to represent weekdays on a horizontal line at the top and then vertically to represent a number of company employees. The activities of a particular employee on a particular weekday can be represented by placing a block on the employee's line, beneath the relevant weekday. By using blocks of different colors, it is possible to indicate activities of different types such as holidays, time off in lieu of pay, meetings, illness etc..

The system is often used in reception areas, secretariats and front desks and it gives a secretary, for example, the possibility, on request, to inform an inquiry what a particular employee is engaged in, or where he/she is located.

The problems with this or similar physical systems are numerous . They include the fact that the systems demand a high degree of discipline on the part of the employees. If new appointments are made or if they αecide, for example, to take a day off, they must physically go to the notice board and replace the blocks, so that the notice board reflects the actual situation, or alternatively they must telephone a person wno is near the notice board and ask them to perform the modifications .

In practice, this is very difficult to administer because even a very small amount of incorrect information can result in the employees losing confidence in the notice board and then they begin to be imprecise witn their own updates. The notice board will often enα up being reliable only in certain areas, such as activities which are planned well m advance, e.g. holiday periods. The result can be that notice board often is not used at all.

The notice board has an additional problem because there is often only room for one block per day if the notice board is to represent a long period of time such as a month. Because of this, it is not possible to make a more detailed visualization of what an employee is doing in the course of a day - it is only possible to show whether the employee is present, or absent because of illness or vacation etc .. The alternative is to divide up an employee's working day by placing several blocks in extension of each other. This naturally means that it is not possible to show as long a period of time as can be shown if only one block per day is used. In addition, the construction of the blocks limits the degree of detail with which it is possible to divide a day and the problem of maintenance of the notice board's information increases considerably because blocks need to be moved, for example, if a meeting runs over time. Furthermore, a large number of blocks need to be removed and replaced if a person is not present because of illness.

Since the computer has become widely accepted, planning systems for computers in electronic form have become available. The systems often function as a form of diary, which the computer user sees on the screen. The user can write his/her appointments on the page in the diary, which represents a particular day, and an indication in the diary will mark an appointment at this time. In addition, certain systems have the function that the user, in connection with the planning of meetings, for example, can see other employees' diary entries in a separate window, where periods of a particular day where previous engagements will have a color code. In this way, it is possible to gain an overview of when it would be possible to hold a meeting in which everyone would be free to participate.

All the electronic systems have the weakness that is also well-known from the physical systems - they demand great discipline on the part of the users to keep the information in the system correct. One reason for this is that the systems are numerical which means that all information must be entered from separate windows before an activity is established in the system.

Furthermore, the systems are often locked systems where the user can only see and alter his/her own appointments on his/her own computer where other employees' information can only be seen as color codes. These color codes only indicate that the person is engaged, but do not indicate with what he/she is engaged. This also means that it can be difficult to gain an overview of a person's presence because the person can be, for example, present but engaged, or present without being occupied by important work activities.

In addition, a person who is not near his/her own terminal cannot ask another person to enter an event for him/her, because this would only be possible if the other person has access to the first person's terminal. This would seldom be the case because the majority of terminals are password-protected and the password should never be revealed to other persons in any circumstances, because of data security considerations.

In US-A 5.860.067, an electronic resource system is described. The system allows different users to visually mark activities on a computer screen with the aid of a computer mouse. The system divides the users into different kind of groups were each group has different opportunities and rights or lack of rights in the system.

The system is very complex and complicated to install e.g. because each group requires a separate local database. The system is highly dependent on rules in general and especially in respect of co-operation between the different types of users and the users do not necessarily see the same computer image.

Also, the users do not necessarily see the entire image on their computer screens. This means that the individual user must scroll up or down to see hidden parts of the image and does thereby not get a clear overall picture of the resources.

The invention

The invention in claim 1 consists of an electronic resource system in the form of a single-user or multi- user system on one or more computers, with a graphic user interface, where a resource area is defined which is made up by a number of microfields said ressource area having a reference axis, which is divided into a number of partial references, where at least one of the microfields may be associated with at least one object and one partial reference, and where at least two and preferably all the microfields associated with an oo ect form a macrofield, where at least one of the microfields is associated with information indicating whether the microfield is in a marked or non-marked state, where a marked microfield is shown on the user interface m such a way that it distinguishable itself from a non-marked microfield, where the establishment of a first reference point and a second reference point by using a computer input device, such as a computer mouse, results in at least two and preferably all microfields being enclosed between the first and the second reference point being converted into a marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with at least one object, and said microfields forming a grouping by this marking which is stored in a data storage medium where the data storage medium is adapted to storing at least two groupings, and no groupings have marked microfields in common, and where a verification menu is displayed on the graphic user interface facilitating saiα conversion of at least one microfield into a marked state.

Hereby, a fast, flexible and simple establishment, alteration or movement of an event m an electronic resource system is achieved.

In the same process, the user can confirm the event on the appearing verification menu. In a simple version, the menu can be used to confirm the event data e.g. the location and the beginning and end of the event. Another embodiment can include the opportunity to choose between different activities to define the type of event or to type in text for characterizing the event.

Hereby, it is possible to combine user-friendlmess and and effectiveness by ensuring that the correct events are created m the electronic resource system. Also, it is possible to create different events in an easy manner with as much information as desired.

The invention m claim 2 consists of an electronic resource system in the form of a single-user or multi^¬ user system by one or more computers with a graphic user interface where a resource area is defined between a number of objects and a reference axis divided into a number of partial references and made up by a number of microfields, where at least one of the microfields is associated with at least one object and one partial reference, and where all microfields associated with an object form a macrofield, where at least one of the microfields is associated with information which indicates whether the microfield is in a marked or non- marked state, and where a marked microfield is shown on the user interface in such a way that it is distinguishable from a non-marked microfield,

and where the establishment of a first reference point and a second reference point by using a computer input device, such as a computer mouse, results in any microfield, enclosed between the first and the second reference point being converted into marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with precisely one object, and said microfields being stored in a data storage medium by this marking which forms a grouping where the data storage medium is adapted to store at least two groupings, and where no groupings have marked microfields in common.

Hereby, a fast, flexible and simple establishment, alteration or movement of an event in an electronic resource system is achieved, which means that an electronic resource system, according to the invention, takes up appreciably less system resources. Hereby, the load on a computer network is less which results m faster response times.

This is because the user, in general, uses less time to establish an event in the system. In the same way, a user can immediately see possible conflicts on the user interface because the user is working graphically, and conflicts between e.g. two groupings, can be immediately solved by very simple algorithms, because the user, as mentioned, can see what he/she is doing.

Resolution of a conflict between two groupings can, for example, be that the user is asked wnether the new grouping's reference point be adopted the original grouping, or vice versa, so that the groupings be contiguous to each other instead of overlapping. Th s is a great advantage compared to known methods, where numeric data entry may give an error message but no solution, which can be easily chosen by the user.

In a similar way, situations where data entry errors occur can be avoided, situations where the user does not become aware of the error until it has occurred, when the system gives an error message if, for example, the user enters a start time which is later than the end time of an event .

The reduced load on system resources is especially surprising when compared with well-known graphical systems, which always take up a great deal of system resources .

In addition, the resource system is particularly advantageous because it creates a graphical overview of available resources. Also, the user can easily enter the system and see when several objects are available for a common event, which creates a markedly greater applicability compared with known electronic planning systems .

As, according to claim 3, it is a multi-computer system and as all the object microfields can be grouped via all the computers by means of an associated computer input device, such as a computer mouse, a central registration of events is achieved, which is available to and can be edited by all connected users, which makes the system extra user-friendly and flexible, because a user's access to the data storage medium is not limited to a single computer or a notice board, such as a reception area, but can be established via all the computers connected to the system.

In the same way, a first person can contact a second person who is near a computer and ask him/her to establish an event for the first person, or for a third person .

As, according to claim 4, the connection from a computer to the data storage medium is via a computer network, all those connected to the network will automatically receive updates from the data storage medium when changes are made on a computer.

As, according to claim 5, any grouping can be moved by means of a graphic operation from one placement to another placement relative to the reference axis by using a computer input device such as a computer mouse, the number of microfields in a grouping is maintained, and a previously unknown possibility of performing a moving operation m only one action is achieved, and by maintaining the number of microfields, the movement past other groupings can also be achieved without the occurrence of logical conflicts.

This should be seen in comparison with known numerical resource systems where only the times can be changed but where it is not possible to move the whole appointment in one operation. In the same way, it would not be possible to establish the facility m a numerical system because it is not possible to design mathematical algorithms that can handle possible conflicts between the groups that are moved and the groups that are passed en route when, in the course of moving, one point is initially altered and the second point is subsequently altered in the grouping.

As, according to claim 6, a grouping can only be moved within an object's macrofield, a safeguard against movement errors is achieved. This is an advantage, because a situation could otherwise arise where a user, while moving a group, moves it from his/her own macrofield to an adjacent macrofield which is particularly relevant if the user interface has a large number of objects. A movement error of this kind could have serious consequences if, for example, the grouping marks a final deadline for the object in question.

As, according to claim 7, the number of microfields for each grouping can be changed by means of a graphic operation using a computer input device such as a computer mouse which is placed at either the first or the second reference point and this point is moved to a new first or second reference point respectively, a modification which is consistent with the grouping is achieved.

As, according to claim 8, a grouping can be erased from the user interface and the data storage medium, if the number of microfields in the grouping is reduced to zero by means of a graphic operation, a quick ana simple method of erasing a grouping is achieved without it being necessary to remove the first reference point and then the second reference point.

As, according to claim 9, wherein one or more of the objects has at least one indication each illustrating the state of one or more objects, a advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved.

As, according to claim 10, the user interface may include an associated acknowledgement menu for acceptance of the graphically entered data for a grouping, a method for confirmation of the graphically entered data is achieved, and at the same time the user can see the numerical value of the reference points.

As, according to claim 11, the acknowledgement menu includes one or more fields for the entering of possible information about the individual grouping, a possibility for entering additional descriptive words concerning the event which the group marks, in addition to those which already are evident from the definition of the event type, is achieved. This is a great advantage because the user can, for example, hereby indicate when an event occurs while the same time showing the additional descriptive words. As, according to claim 12, the user interface includes a search menu with at least one fielα for entering information, such as a word or a part of a word, an easy way to recall different activities from the past involving e.g. other persons or companies, is achieved.

As, according to claim 13, the user interface includes a graphic time indicator for indication of tne present time relative to the reference axis, a good overview of what events a person is e.g. participating is quickly achieved. In the same way, it is easy for a user of the resource system to see which events or appointments he/she has in the immediate future.

In addition, it is possible to create a zero reference point to which the user can return by pressing a button, after he/she has moved forward or backwards in the resource system. This is achieved by the system centralizing the user interface on the current placement of the time indicator.

As, according to claim 18, an access and control system for a building comprises the use of an electronic resource system according to claims 1-17, it is possible to design an access and control system which integrates several systems which are usually separate into one system. This ensures a user-friendly system offering the possibility to coordinate information about the users making it easier to control different systems in a building e.g. burglar alarms, heat and lignt systems etc. Figures

The invention will be described in the subsequent text with reference to the figures, where

fig. 1 shows a graphic interface for an electronic resource system, according to the invention,

fig. 2 shows a section of a resource interface

fig. 3 shows an acknowledgement menu

fig. 4 shows a calendar menu

fig. 5 shows a section of the user interface with an explanation menu for a grouping

fig. 6 shows a menu for establishment of a push-button on the user interface

fig. 7 shows a search menu

fig. 8 shows a section of a command line

fig. 9 shows a multi-user version of an electronic resource system.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a user interface 1 of an electronic resource system for a computer, where a user has the possibility to establish, change or move an event on the user interface 1, on the computer screen by means of a graphic operation. In a preferred embodiment, the user interface consists of a resource area 2 which is surrounded by a horizontal reference axis 3 and one or more objects 4 placed vertically and directly beneath each other. Tne resource area 2 is the part of the user interface 1 where the user has the possibility of establishing, changing or moving an event .

The horizontal reference axis 3 is, as shown in detail m figure 2, divided into a number of partial references 20 of a fixed size, and each object is associated with a part of the resource area, which is defined as the object's macrofield 5.

The choice of size of the partial references can be made according to the given use of the resource system, and by the choice of a time axis as reference axis, each of the partial references 20 can, for example be sized with 30 minutes, which is the case m the example shown in fig. 1.

The number of partial references 20, which are shown on the screen, can be chosen so that the degree of detail is great or small. A natural choice when using a time axis would be to give the user the possibility to choose between a number of partial references 20 equivalent to a half day, a whole day, a week, a month or a year on the full interface screen, by using the time button 11.

The entire resource system will often function as an infinite system where there are no limitations as to how far back or forward the user can move relative to reference axis 3. In cases where a time axis is used, the user can therefore, in principle, use the system as an infinite time calendar.

As an alternative, the system can be built as a finite system where the time dimension only extends back or forward to a specific point in time. An example would be a company that chooses to use the resource system with a reference axis starting at the date of the foundation of the company.

Furthermore, the user interface 1, by using a time axis as a reference axis 3, has a time indicator 7 which shows the present time. The time indicator 7 can, for example, be a vertical line which specifically divides the resource screen 2 into past and future respectively. It can be an advantage if the time indicator is controlled by the computer's internal clock function.

Other forms of indicators can naturally be envisioned in which other forms of reference axes than a time axis are utilized.

By using the winding function buttons 10 on the user interface, it is possible for the user to move forward or backwards relative to the present time. During this forward or backward winding, it is possible to choose between slow and fast winding.

Furthermore, the time indicator 7 will function as a centralizing point for the resource system and when the user moves forward or backwards relative to the present time and to the time indicator 9, the user can always return quickly by using the centralizing button 9 on the user interface 1. This will ensure that the system immediately returns to the present time, and will place the time indicator 7 in the centre of the screen.

The winding function buttons 10 can naturally oe supplemented or replaced by key combinations on the keyboard, for example the arrow keys could be used.

In the example shown in figure 1, the objects 4 are shown as names of persons but they could, for example, also be types of persons in a company, work projects, meeting rooms, rental cars or other things or concepts where it is of interest to plan, relative to a reference such as time. Furthermore, the objects 4 can be a combination of more than one of the above-mentioned examples, for example names of persons and meeting rooms.

The objects can also be activities and the events e.g. names of persons. This creates the possibility of having present, vacation or sick etc. characterized as objects and the persons actually being present, on vacation or sick characterized as events creating an alternative overview of the resources in a workplace.

In fig. 1, an indicator 17 is illustrated in continuation of object 4. The indicator indicates that the person behind the object is present at the workplace and has turned on the electronic resource system. At the same time, the indicator is visible to all other users of the resource system at their workplace and vice versa.

The figure also illustrates the possibility of having several resource screens placed as sheets on top of each other. These sheet are provided with thumb indexes by means of which the user may choose the resource screen he wants to be visible.

Figure 2 shows a section of the user interface 1 where it is apparent that the resource screen 2 and the macrofields 5 are made up by a number of microfields 21a, 21b. Each microfield 21a, 21b is associated with a specific object 4 and one or more partial references 20.

In the illustrated example, the microfields 21a, 21b have a fixed size of 15 minutes but they can also be appreciably smaller or larger time units or other types of units relevant to the current application.

In connection with this, a microfield 21a, 21b can be chosen to have a size equivalent to one screen pixel on the screen on which the user interface 1 is shown.

The microfields 21a, 21b can also have graduated different lengths or be of a completely freely selected size according to the user's requirements.

For example, the resource system could be built up in such a way that the user could change the length of a microfield by "dragging" the edge of the microfield 21a, 21b to the desired length.

The microfields 21a, 21b will normally adopt a state of either being a free microfield 21a or an occupied microfield 21b. It could also be envisioned that some microfields could be non-available, which could be applied m resource systems where employees do not worκ during weekends, or rental cars whicn are not rented out on the first day of the month because they are at the repair workshop.

Establishing an event on the user interface 1 is achieved by using a computer input device 83. This can advantageously be a computer mouse, a trackball or a similar device for controlling a cursor on a computer screen.

The actual operation of marking an event in the electronic resource system is achieved by cnoosing the type of event, the user wishes to establish by using a pushbutton 14 on the user interface 1.

The types of events are each defined m their own color, often chosen in advance, e.g. when the electronic resource system is first commissioned, after which the color is reserved for only that type of event. In this way, different types of events can be distinguished from each other on the user interface 1.

The events from which the user may choose are shown on the user interface 1 as a number of pushbuttons 14 with their characteristic colors and a text explanations relating to the type of event in question.

Subsequently, the user places the cursor on the resource screen 2 at the desired starting point of an event, using, for example, a computer mouse, and by clicking on the left button of the mouse, the cursor is moved to an end point, and the mouse button is released. As the cursor is moved a bar appears starting at tne starting point and following the cursor until the mouse button is released. The use of a finger on a pressure sensitive screen to create an event is also possible.

The start and end points of the cursor movement defines 2 reference co-ordinates 50a, 50b which are the start and end points for a grouping 6a, 6b, 6c of microfields 21b, respectively, on the resource screen 2. The microfields m the grouping between the reference co-ordinates are converted by the movement from free state 21a to occupied state 21b and the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c is stored in a data storage medium 81.

The occupied state of the microfields 21b in the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c is shown on the resource screen 2 m the color which is assigned to the type of event.

In another embodiment of the user interface 1, it could be envisioned that the colors could be replaced by different types of patterns or shadings, which is especially appropriate if a monochrome computer screen is used.

Furthermore, when printing the user interface 1 out on paper, the system will differentiate between printing to a black and white or a color printer when the print button 12 is pressed. This is achieved by the resource system choosing to print different types of patterns or shadings for different types of groupings when a black and white printer is used. In this way, the individual types of groupings can be clearly distinguished from each other on the printout . The build-up of the data storage medium 81 is has an open data structure so that all users of the computers 82 can store and change the stored groupings 6a, 6b, 6c in the data storage medium 81.

Furthermore, a resource system in a preferred embodiment, is built up without mutual relations or algorithms between the groupings 6a, 6b, 6c. The resource system will therefore not be forced to perform complicated or exhaustive calculations if a user establishes, moves or changes a grouping 6a, 6b, 6c.

However, there will be control functions m connection with the data storage medium 81, so that if the user attempts to store values n an area where values are already totally or partially stored, the user will be asked whether it is correct that the new values should totally or partially replace the original values. If the user confirms this, the database will perform the changes and replace the original values with the new values. Furthermore, control routines can be built into the resource system for use in a situation where a user changes or erases events established by another user. In this case, the user will receive a message enquiring whether it is correct that the new values should replace the original values. If the user confirms this, the resource system will perform the changes and replace the original values with the new values in the data storage medium 81.

A more detailed description of the event can occur in an acknowledgement menu 30, shown in figure 3, where the invention appears immediately after the user places the last reference point 50a, 50b with the computer input device 83, and the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c of the microfields 21b on the resource screen 2 in one embodiment of the.

Here, the user has the possibility to describe an event in detail with one or more words in a special description window 32 in the acknowledgement menu 30. In addition, the first and second reference points 50a, 50b for the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c, are shown in their respective fields 31a, 31b, where it is possible to alter the values if they are not in accordance with the desired values. Furthermore, the type of event 33, which has been chosen, is shown. The user can subsequently click or. an acknowledgement button if all the values are according to the desired values, and the values will then transferred to the data storage medium 81.

Furthermore, the acknowledgement menu 30 can be brought up on the screen by the user choosing an existing grouping 6a, 6b, 6c on the resource screen 2 with the computer input device 83 which provides the user with the possibility of seeing or changing the data for the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c, including the changing of the placement or the reference point 50a, 50b by entering data directly in the fields 31a, 31b, 32 in the acknowledgement menu 30.

The resource system performs certain calculations of the stored reference co-ordinates 50a, 50b in the data storage medium 81 to create an impression of the physical length of a grouping 6a, 6b, 6c. In a preferred embodiment, this is done by subtracting the 2 values from each other in order to achieve a result expressed in a number of microfields 21b, of which the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c consists.

The calculation is performed in order to make it possible to move the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c on the resource screen 2. The moving operation itself is performed by the user placing the cursor on the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c, using the computer input device 83, and, for example, holding the left mouse button down while moving the cursor to the point on the resource area where he/she wants tne group to be placed.

It is also possible to use standard cut or copy commands on a group in order to move it to another location or to create more than one example of a group.

As far as the data storage medium 81 is concerned, moving the data means that the data storage medium 81 receives the original reference points and the number of microfields in the grouping 6a, 6b, βc. The data storage medium 81 then registers the length of the cursor movement on the computer screen 82a, where the user interface 1 is shown, and on the basis of this information it is possible for the resource system, by the use of simple algorithms, for example by using addition and subtraction, to calculate the new reference points for the grouping βa, βb, 6c.

Furthermore, the user has the possibility of adjusting the length of the grouping by using the computer input device 83 to place the cursor on the first 50a or second reference point 50b respectively and "dragging" the point until it has the desired placement. This adjustment of the grouping 6a, 6b, 6c is achieved by using equivalent principles to those used to move a grouping 6a, 6b, 6c, however, only one of the reference points 50a, 50b is extended by the number of microfields over which the cursor moves on the computer screen 82a during the change. The new grouping 6a, 6b, 6c will subsequently have acquired a new reference point and will contain a new number of microfields 21b.

Figure 4 shows a calendar menu 40 which can be shown on the screen, for example, by using the calendar button 8 on the user interface 1 and be shown in the acknowledgement menu 30 in connection with the user desiring to move around in the resource system relative to the reference axis 3 by e.g. going back in time to see events of a particular day. This is possible to achieve n different ways, and one way is for the user to directly press the button of a particular day in the indicated month or by pressing a month/year button 41 to show a pull-down menu to choose another month or year. Today 42 is indicated with a frame around the date in the calendar menu 40.

In addition, the calendar menu 40 has 2 arrow buttons 43, which provide the possibility to move forward or backwards in steps of one month by pressing the button 43. In another embodiment, the calendar menu has extra arrow buttons to provide the possibility of moving forward or backwards in steps of one year.

Figure 5 shows a section of the user interface 1, where a possible description of an event will be shown in a small window 52 on the user interface 1 if the user approaches the group 6b with a cursor 51, symbolized by an arrow on the figure. Furthermore, the resource system will indicate the length of the event and, in one embodiment of the resource system, also the reference points 50a, 50b.

Figure 6 shows a menu 60 for the establishment of a pushbutton 14 for a type of event. Menu 60 is brought up by pressing an event button 13 on the user interface 1. Menu 60 itself provides different buttons for creating 65, editing 64 or deleting 66 an event. Also, the menu provides a number of different colors 63 from which the user can choose m order to create the possibility of distinguishing between the individual types of events, when they are established on the user interface 1. Furthermore, it is possible to briefly describe the type of event m a field 61 so that when the pushbutton 14 appears on the user interface 1, it shows its characteristic color and has the type of event printed on it. This could be, for example, a green button with "vacation" printed on it, so that the user can easily see which button 14 should be chosen when he/she wants to establish an event. A window 62 in the menu shows the types of events already established.

The pushbutton will retain the color and description with which it was established on the user interface but can subsequently be altered by a user if required. In the same way, a type of event can be removed, in which case all marked events of this type will be erased. The menu 60 also provides buttons 67, 68 for altering the order in which the pushbuttons appear on the user interface 1.

It must be mentioned that other designs than pushbuttons on the user interface can be used, such as pull αown menus and key combinations.

Figure 7 shows a menu for searching 90 the deta _ed descriptions of the events. The user types a word or part of a word in a search field 91 and the events 92 containing the word or part of the word are listed.

Figure 8 shows a section of a command line 70 in a αata control program where a characteristic logo 71 indicates that the electronic resource system is already loaded into to the computer memory. It is hereby possible, by pressing a key or a key combination, to bring the resource system up on the user's computer screen without the computer having to start the system by reading it into the memory first. Furthermore, it is possible to include the resource system m the setup of the user's computer so that the resource system is automatically read into the memory on startup.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the invention where several computers 82, each with the electronic resource system installed, are connected through a computer network 80 to a central data storage medium 81.

Each individual computer 82 is built up in a traditional manner with a central unit 82b which includes a processor, a storage medium and memory etc.. In addition, the computer 82 has a screen 82a where the user interface 1 is shown, and a keyboard 82c, and a computer input device 83 where the computer input device is shown as a computer mouse in this embodiment but could also be, for example, a trackball, a computer pen or a similar computer input device including a keyboard 82c.

Using a keyboard 82c will, however, result in the loss of some of the user-friendlmess of the invention because the establishment of an event from a keyboard 82c will be achieved by using the arrow keys instead of, for example, the continuous movement of a computer mouse.

Furthermore, it could be envisioned that the computer be totally or partly replaced by terminals of the type which do not have their own computing capability.

The data storage medium 81 can preferably consist of one or more hard drives in a computer server if the resource system is used in a multi-computer system which is connected through a network 80 to the data storage medium 81.

Furthermore, if an individual computer is used alone, the data can be stored on its own hard drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic resource system can be the central part of an access and control system a building or an area such as e.g. an office, a factory, a parking area etc.. When an employee wants to enter the building, he has to use an admittance control unit to unlock an entrance door. The control unit can be a conventional card reader with the possibility of entering a personal code. The control unit is connected with the control system containing the profiles of the employees and performing a comparison with the data from the control unit. If the data is accepted, the employee can enter the building and different things belonging to the employee can be activated e.g. a personal computer together with light or heating in the workplace.

The control system registers and stores the time of arrival at the workplace as well as the time of leaving. It is also possible to inform other people in the office or factory of the presence of the employee. This is achieved by starting the electronic resource system together with the personal computer. At the same time, it is possible to control the status of the burglar alarm m the building automatically because the control system knows how many persons are present m the building.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit can be a fingerprint or iris reader. This allows the employee to enter a building without using a personal access card and code .

List of reference number for the figures

1. user interface

2. resource area

3. reference axis

4. objects

5. macrofield

6a, 6b, 6c. groupings

7. time indicator

8. calendar button

9. centralizing button

10. winding function buttons

11. time buttons

12. print button

13. event button

14. pushbutton

15. thumb index

16. Search button

17. indicator

20. partial reference

21a. free microfield

21b. occupied microfield

30. acknowledgement menu

31a, 31b. reference fields

32. description field

33. type of event

40. calendar menu

41. month/year button

42. day button

43. fast wind button

44. date

45. day of the week

46. today indication 50a, 50b. reference point

51. cursor

52. window with description

60. menu for establishment of pushbutton 61. type field

62. window with types of events

63. colors

64. editor button

65. Button for adding an activity 66. Button for removing an activity

67, 68. Buttons for altering the order of activities

70. command line

71. logo 80. computer network

81. data storage medium

82a. computer screen

82b. central unit

82c. keyboard 83. computer input device

90. Search menu

91. Search field

92. List of search result

Claims

1. An electronic resource system m the form of a single- user or multi-user system on one or more computers,

with a graphic user interface (1),

where a resource area is defined (2) which is made up by a number of microfields (21a, 21b) said ressource area having a reference axis (3), which is divided into a number of partial references (20) ,

where at least one of the microfields (21a, 21b) may be associated with at least one object (4) and one partial reference (20), and where at least two and preferably all the microfields (21a, 21b) associated with an object form a macrofield (5),

where at least one of the microfields (21a, 21b) is associated with information indicating whether the microfield (21a, 21b) is in a marked (21b) or non-marked state (21a) ,

where a marked microfield (21b) is shown on the user interface (1) in such a way that it distinguishable itself from a non-marked microfield (21a),

where the establishment of a first reference point (50a, 50b) and a second reference point (50a, 50b) by using a computer input device (83), such as a computer mouse, results in at least two and preferably all microfields (21b) being enclosed between the first and the second reference point being converted into a marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with at least one object (4), and said microfields (21b) forming a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) by this marking which is stored m a data storage medium (81) where the data storage medium (81) is adapted to storing at least two groupings (6a, 6b, 6c), and no groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) have marked microfields (21b) m common,

and where a verification menu is displayed on the graphic user interface (1) facilitating said conversion of at least one microfield into a marked state.

2. An electronic resource system in the form of a single- user or multi-user system on one or more computers,

with a graphic user interface (1),

where a resource area is defined (2) which is made up by a number of microfields (21a, 21b) between a number of objects (4) and a reference axis (3), and divided into a number of partial references (20),

where at least one of the microfields (21a, 21b) is associated with at least one object (4) and one partial reference (20), and where all microfields (21a, 21b) associated with an object form a macrofield (5),

where at least one of the microfields (21a, 21b) is associated with information indicating whether the microfield (21a, 21b) is in a marked (21b) or non-marked state (21a) , where a marked microfield (21b) is shown on the user interface (1) in such a way that it is distinguishable from a non-marked microfield (21a) ,

and where the establishment of a first reference point

(50a, 50b) and a second reference point (50a, 50b) by using a computer input device (83), such as a computer mouse, results in any microfield (21b) , enclosed between the first and the second reference point, being converted to a marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with precisely one object (4), and said microfields (21b) forming a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) by this marking which is stored in a data storage medium (81) where the data storage medium (81) is adapted to store at least two groupings (6a, 6b, 6c), and no groupings (6a, 6b, 6c) have marked microfields (21b) in common .

3. An electronic resource system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a multi-computer system where all object (4) microfields (21a, 21b) can be grouped via all computers (82) by means of an associated computer input device (83), such as a computer mouse.

. An electronic resource system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection from a computer (82) to the data storage medium is created via a computer network (80) .

5. An electronic resource system according to claims 1-4, wherein any grouping (6a, βb, 6c) can be moved by means of a graphic operation from one placement to another placement relative to the reference axis (3) by using a computer input device (83) such as a computer mouse, it is possible to maintain the number of microfields (21b) in a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) .

6. An electronic resource system according to claims 1-5, wherein a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) can only be moved within an object macrofield (5) .

7. An electronic resource system according to claims 1-6, wherein the number of microfields (21b) in each grouping

(6a, 6b, 6c) can be changed by means of a graphic operation by using a computer input device (83) such as a computer mouse placed at either the first or the second reference point (50a, 50b) and by moving this point to a new first or second reference point, respectively.

8. An electronic resource system according to claims 1-7, wherein a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c) can be erased from the user interface (1) and the data storage medium (81), if the number of microfields (21b) in the grouping is reduced to zero by means of a graphic operation.

9. An electronic resource system according to claims 1-8, wherein one or more of the objects (4) has at least one indication (17) each illustrating the state of one or more objects (4 ) .

10. An electronic resource system according to claims 1- 9, wherein the user interface (1) may include an associated acknowledgement menu (30) for acceptance of the graphically entered data of a grouping (6a, 6b, 6c).

11. An electronic resource system according to claim 1- 10, wherein the acknowledgement menu (30) includes one or more fields (31a, 31b, 32) for the entering of possible information about the individual grouping (6a, 6b, 6c).

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12. An electronic resource system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface (1) includes a search menu with at least one field for entering information, such as a word or a part of a word.

13. An electronic resource system according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a graphic time indicator (7) for indication of the present time relative to the reference axis (3) .

14. A method of marking a grouping consisting of one or more microfields m an electronic resource system, according to claim 1 or 2, where a first reference point m a user interface and a second reference point are established by using a computer input device such as a computer mouse, resulting in a microfield being enclosed between the first and the second reference point and converted to a marked state, said first and second reference points becoming associated with precisely one object,

thereby forming a grouping of one or more marked microfields to be stored in a data storage medium where the data storage medium is adapted to store at least two groupings, and no groupings have marked microfields in common.

15. A method of moving a grouping consisting of one or more microfields in an electronic resource system, according to claim 1 or 2,

where, by using a computer input device such as a computer mouse, existing first and second reference points are activated, preferably by placing a marking cursor on it, said activated reference points being grabbed by the computer input device during displacement to a new position,

where new first and second reference points are established on the user interface, and where the number of microfields between the reference points remains unchanged,

resulting in the fact that any microfield which is enclosed between the new reference points is converted to marked state, said new reference points becoming associated with precisely one object,

and in the fact that said microfields form a new grouping which is stored on a data storage medium with this marking where the data storage medium is adapted to store at least two groupings and no groupings have marked microfields in common.

16. A method of moving a grouping according to claim 15, wherein the original grouping is erased by the process of moving.

17. A method of changing a grouping consisting of one or more microfields in an electronic resource system according to claim 1 or 2,

where, by using an computer input device such as a computer mouse, a reference point is activated, preferably by placing a marking cursor on it, while another reference point remains unchanged, said activated reference point being grabbed by the computer input device during displacement to a new position on the user interface, where a new reference point is established on the user interface,

resulting in the fact that any microfield which is enclosed between the new reference point and the unchanged reference point is converted to marked state, said new reference point and the unchanged reference point becoming associated with precisely one object,

and in the fact that said microfields with this marking form a grouping stored on a data storage medium where the data storage medium is adapted to store at least two groupings and no groupings have marked microfields in common .

18. An access and control system for a building and/or an area comprising the use of an electronic resource system according to claims 1-17.

19. Access and control system according to claim 18 comprising one or more fingerprint or iris control units.

20. System according to claims 1-13, said system comprising means for changing the state of an object (4) by means of system inputting means.

21. System according to claim 20, wherein said system inputting means comprises at least one fingerprint or iris control unit.

22. System according to claim 20, wherein at least one predetermined change of the state of an object infers access to a certain building and/or area.

23. System according to claim 20, wherein at least one predetermined change of the state of an object (4) infers access to a computer dedicated to said object (4) .