Systems and methods for applying game mechanics to the completion of tasks by users

Abstract

The methods and systems described herein provide for effective and efficient completion of tasks by users of a computing device. Specifically, the present invention provides users with a proprietary workflow for timing the completion of a task by a user and scoring a user's ability to complete a task within a predetermined length of time. One exemplary embodiment provides for managing the completion of tasks in a task list, timing a user's ability to complete certain tasks, and providing feedback to the user according to their progress.

1 . A method for timing the completion of tasks by a user, the method comprising:
 determining an appropriate length of time for a user to complete a task in a task list;   providing the determined length of time to the user;   updating the determined length of time according to the passage of time;   determining that a user has completed the task; and   determining a score for a user based, at least, on the passage of time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the score to the user upon the completion of the task. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing positive feedback to the user at a time after the completion of the task. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a score for the user is further based at least in part on the complexity of the task. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a new task in the task list to the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a representation of a timer to a user which changes in response to the completion of the task. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the timer is set, at least in part, according to a measure of the complexity of the message. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a representation of how many tasks remain in either a predetermined subset of the task list or the entire task list. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a user selects an option to defer a task, further comprising:
 requesting that a user select a time at which to return the message to the task list; 
 receiving the user's selection of a time at which to return the task to the task list; 
 removing the message from the task list; 
 returning the message to the task list at the time selected by the user. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing the user with a suggested time for returning the message to the task list. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the suggested time is determined at least in part by the contents of the task. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing negative feedback in response to the passage of time prior to the completion of the task. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the task list is provided by a task list program. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the task list is provided by an internet or online service. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the task is synchronized with a user's calendar. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising monitoring of the user's use of a computer to determine when completion of tasks should be timed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising suggesting an appropriate length of time for completing a task to a user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the suggested appropriate length of time is determined based in part on the complexity of the task. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for timing the completion of tasks by a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and   at least one processing unit communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the at least one processing unit:
 determines an appropriate length of time for a user to complete a task in a task list; 
 provides the determined length of time to the user; 
 updates the determined length of time according to the passage of time; 
 determines that a user has completed the task; and 
 determines a score for a user based, at least, on the passage of time. 
   
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-readable instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computing device, control the computing device to perform a method for timing the completion of tasks by a user, the method comprising:
 determining an appropriate length of time for a user to complete a task in a task list;   providing the determined length of time to the user;   updating the determined length of time according to the passage of time;   determining that a user has completed the task; and   determining a score for a user based, at least, on the passage of time.