Collecting and Presenting Temporal-Based Action Information

Abstract

Functionality is described for collecting and presenting action information. The action information describes actions that take place on items at specified times. Among other applications, the functionality assists a user in identifying and accessing relevant items. In one illustrative case, the functionality can display action information in a timeline presentation.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item;   storing, in a memory of the computer, the time span of the action as the data for the item;   providing a computer interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action;   obtaining a candidate item responsive to the search; and   providing the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising employing a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a user who used the item within the time span of the action. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the providing the data for the candidate item includes providing a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising identifying users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a type of the action for the item. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising recording a start time of performance of the action for the item. 
     
     
         8 . A memory storing logic executable by one or more processors, the logic comprising:
 logic programmed to receive, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item;   logic programmed to store, in the memory, the time span of the action as the data for the item;   logic programmed to provide a computer interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action;   logic programmed to obtain a candidate item responsive to the search; and   logic programmed to provide the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action.   
     
     
         9 . A memory as recited in  claim 8 , the logic further comprising logic to employ a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item. 
     
     
         10 . A memory as recited in  claim 8 , the logic further comprising logic to identify a user who used the item within the time span of the action. 
     
     
         11 . A memory as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the logic to provide the data for the candidate item includes logic to provide a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         12 . A memory as recited in  claim 11 , the logic further comprising logic to identify users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         13 . A memory as recited in  claim 8 , the logic further comprising logic to identify a type of the action for the item. 
     
     
         14 . A memory as recited in  claim 8 , the logic further comprising logic to record a start time of performance of the action for the item. 
     
     
         15 . A computing device comprising:
 a processor;   a memory storing modules executable by the processor, the modules comprising:
 a retrieval module programmed to retrieve, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item; 
 logic programmed to store, in the memory, the time span of the action as the data for the item; 
 a computer interface module programmed to provide an interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action; 
 an analysis module programmed to obtain a candidate item responsive to the search; and 
 logic programmed to provide the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action. 
   
     
     
         16 . A computing device as recited in  claim 15 , the computer interface module further comprising logic to employ a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item. 
     
     
         17 . A computing device as recited in  claim 15 , the modules further comprising a user data retrieval module to identify a user who used the item within the time span of the action. 
     
     
         18 . A computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the logic to provide the data for the candidate item includes logic to provide a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         19 . A computing device as recited in  claim 18 , the modules further comprising a user data retrieval module to identify users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action. 
     
     
         20 . A computing device as recited in  claim 15 , the modules further comprising a collection interface through which to identify a type of the action for the item.