Method and system for indicating operator availability

Claim 2

A timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the timing system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator for indicating to the potential visitor via a visual display a time when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator, (b) an availability status indicator for indicating to the potential visitor via a light indicator whether the operator is currently available to interact with the potential visitor, so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability status indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; (c) a controller for use by the operator of the system to input time information, wherein the controller controls the availability status indicator and the availability time indicator; (d) a time calculator to calculate approximately when the operator will become available based on the time information input by the operator of the system; and (e) circuitry which switches said availability status indicator between a continuing unlighted state and a continuing lighted state in response to said time calculator.

Claim 3

The timing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said timing system comprises at least one communications link from said controller to said availability time indicator and to said availability status indicator.

Claim 4

A timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability time indicator to be used by the operator of the system to input a busy period, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator and wherein the controller is adapted for locating separately from the availability time indicator so as to facilitate the input of the busy period and to facilitate the indicating to the potential visitor via the visual display the time of day when the operator will become available, wherein the controller comprises: (b1) an entering device to enter the busy period; (b2) a memory to store the busy period; (b3) a clock to determine a present time of day when the operator inputs the busy period; and (b4) a time calculator to calculate approximately the time of day when the operator will become available for display on the availability time indicator, wherein the time of day when the operator will become available is based on the present time of day and the busy period; and (c) at least one communications link from the controller to the availability time indicator to communicate the time of day when the operator will become available to the availability time indicator.

Claim 5

A timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability time indicator to be used by the operator of the system to input a busy period, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator and wherein the controller is adapted for locating separately from the availability time indicator so as to facilitate the input of the busy period and to facilitate the indicating to the potential visitor via the visual display the time of day when the operator will become available, wherein the controller comprises: (b1) an entering device to enter the busy period; (b2) a memory to store the busy period; (b3) a clock to determine a present time of day when the operator inputs the busy period; and (b4) a time calculator to calculate approximately the time of day when the operator will become available for display on the availability time indicator, wherein the time of day when the operator will become available is based on the present time of day and the busy period; and (c) at least one communications link from the controller to the availability time indicator to communicate the time of day when the operator will become available to the availability time indicator.

Claim 6

The timing system as recited in claim 3 and further comprising a blanking circuit which blanks at least the time of day when the operator will become available displayed on the availability time indicator to indicate that the operator is available.

Claim 7

The timing system as recited in claim 3 and further comprising a visual display of the controller and a flashing circuit, wherein the flashing circuit causes at least a portion of the visual display of the controller to flash to indicate conclusion of the busy period.

Claim 8

The timing system as recited in claim 3 and further comprising a visual display of the controller adapted to display at least the busy period.

Claim 9

The timing system as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a decrementing circuit to decrement the busy period displayed on the visual display of the controller.

Claim 10

A timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability time indicator to be used by the operator of the system to input the time of day when the operator of the system will become available, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator and wherein the controller is adapted for locating separately from the availability time indicator so as to facilitate the input of the time of day when the operator will become available and to facilitate the indicating to the potential visitor via the visual display the time of day when the operator will become available, wherein the controller comprises: (b1) an entering device to enter the time of day when the operator will become available; and (b2) a memory to store the time of day when the operator will become available; (c) at least one communications link from the controller to the availability time indicator to communicate the time of day to the availability time indicator; and (d) a blanking circuit which blanks the time of day displayed on the availability time indicator.

Claim 11

A timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability time indicator to be used by the operator of the system to input the time of day when the operator of the system will become available, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator and wherein the controller is adapted for locating separately from the availability time indicator so as to facilitate the input of the time of day when the operator will become available and to facilitate the indicating to the potential visitor via the visual display the time of day when the operator will become available, wherein the controller comprises: (b1) an entering device to enter the time of day when the operator will become available; and (b2) a memory to store the time of day when the operator will become available; (c) at least one communications link from the controller to the availability time indicator to communicate the time of day to the availability time indicator; and (d) a blanking circuit which blanks the time of day displayed on the availability time indicator.

Claim 12

The timing system as recited in claim 8 and further comprising a visual display of the controller and a flashing circuit, wherein the flashing circuit causes at least a portion of the visual display of the controller to flash to indicate arrival of the time of day when the operator will become available.

Claim 13

The timing system as recited in claim 3 or 8 wherein said availability time indicator comprises at least one alpha-numeric character.

Claim 14

The timing system as recited in claim 3 or 8 wherein said availability time indicator comprises at least one numerical display.

Claim 15

The timing system as recited in claim 3 or 8 wherein said availability time indicator comprises a unitary display unit having a plurality of sides and a plurality of visual displays and wherein each visual display is mounted on a different side of the unitary display unit so as to facilitate viewing of at least one of the displays by said potential visitor.

Claim 16

The timing system as recited in claim 3 or 8 wherein the timing system is adapted for electrical connection to remote programming circuitry for use by the operator in order to input from a remote location the time when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor.

Claim 17

The timing system as recited in claim 13 wherein said remote programming circuitry comprises a computer network.

Claim 18

The timing system as recited in claim 13 wherein said remote programming circuitry comprises a telephony system.

Claim 19

The timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workstation for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller to be used by the operator of the system to input time information, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator, the controller comprising: (b1) an entering device to enter the time information; and (b2) a memory to store the time information; (c) a time calculator to calculate approximately when the operator will become available based on the time information; and (d) circuitry which changes at least a portion of the visual display in response to said time calculator.

Claim 20

The timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workstation for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability time indicator to indicate to the potential visitor via a visual display a time of day when the operator will become available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability time indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller to be used by the operator of the system to input time information, wherein the controller controls the availability time indicator, the controller comprising: (b1) an entering device to enter the time information; and (b2) a memory to store the time information; (c) a time calculator to calculate approximately when the operator will become available based on the time information; and (d) circuitry which changes at least a portion of the visual display in response to said time calculator.

Claim 21

The timing system as described in claim 16 and further comprising a plurality of visual displays.

Claim 22

The timing system as described in claim 16 wherein the control is adapted for locating separately from the availability time indicator.

Claim 23

The timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor of the operator who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability status indicator for indicating to the potential visitor via a light indicator whether the operator is currently available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability status indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability status indicator to be used by the operator of the timing system to input time information, the controller comprising: (i) circuitry which maintains the availability status indicator in a continuing lighted state; (ii) circuitry which maintains the availability status indicator in a continuing unlighted state; (iii) an entering device to enter the time information; (iv) a memory to store the time information; (v) a time calculator to calculate approximately when the operator will become available based on the time information; and (vi) circuitry which switches said availability status indicator between said continuing unlighted state and, said continuing lighted state in response to said time calculator.

Claim 24

The timing system for indicating the present availability of an operator of the timing system to a potential visitor of the operator who desires to ascertain the present availability of the operator, the operator of the timing system having an office area which defines an area of personal workspace for the operator, the system comprising: (a) an availability status indicator for indicating to the potential visitor via a light indicator whether the operator is currently available to interact with the potential visitor so as to reduce interruptions of the operator, wherein the availability status indicator is adapted for locating immediately proximate to the office area of the operator so as to be viewable by the potential visitor when the potential visitor is located in proximity to the office area of the operator; and (b) a controller associated with the availability status indicator to be used by the operator of the timing system to input time information, the controller comprising: (i) circuitry which maintains the availability status indicator in a continuing lighted state; (ii) circuitry which maintains the availability status indicator in a continuing unlighted state; (iii) an entering device to enter the time information; (iv) a memory to store the time information; (v) a time calculator to calculate approximately when the operator will become available based on the time information; and (vi) circuitry which switches said availability status indicator between said continuing unlighted state and, said continuing lighted state in response to said time calculator.

Claim 25

The timing system as described in claim 19 wherein the controller is adapted for locating separately from the availability status indicator.

Claim 26

The timing system as described in claim 16 or 19 wherein the timing system is adapted for electrical connection to remote programming circuitry for use by the operator in order to input the time information from a remote location.

Claim 27

The timing system as described in claim 21 wherein the remote programming circuitry comprises a computer network.

Claim 28

The timing system as described in claim 21 wherein the remote programming circuitry comprises a telephony system.

Claim 29

The timing system as described in claim 16 or 19 wherein the timing system is adapted for electrical connection to remote access circuitry.

Claim 30

The timing system as described in claim 24 wherein the remote access circuitry comprises a computer network.

Claim 31

The timing system as described in claim 24 wherein the remote access circuitry comprises a telephony system.

Claim 34

The method as recited in claim 27 and further comprising indicating conclusion of the busy period.

Claim 35

The method as recited in claim 27 and further comprising blanking at least a portion of the visual display to indicate expiration of the busy period.

Claim 36

The method as recited in claim 29 wherein a portion of the visual display displays the availability time and further comprising blanking only the portion of the visual display which displays the availability time.

Claim 37

The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the controller comprises a visual display and further comprising flashing at least a portion of the visual display of the controller to indicate conclusion of the busy period.

Claim 38

The method as recited in claim 27 and further comprising displaying the busy period on a visual display of the controller.

Claim 39

The method as recited in claim 32 and further comprising decrementing the busy period displayed on the visual display of the controller.

Claim 40

The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said determining an availability time representing a time at which the operator will become availability comprises adding the busy period to the approximate time of day.

Claim 43

The method as recited in claim 35 wherein the changing at least a portion of the visual display indicates the arrival of an availability time.

Claim 44

The method as recited in claim 35 and further comprising utilizing a plurality of visual displays.

Claim 45

The method as recited in claim 35 wherein the controller comprises a visual display of the controller and further comprising flashing at least a portion of the visual display of the controller to indicate arrival of an availability time.

Claim 46

The method as recited in claim 35 and wherein the controller comprises a visual display of the controller and further comprising displaying an availability time on the visual display of the controller.

Claim 47

The method as recited in claim 27 or 35 and further comprising utilizing at least one alphanumeric character to display information on the availability time indicator.

Claim 50

The method as recited in claim 27, 35 or 41 and further comprising remotely programming said indicator by said operator via said controller when said operator is located in a remote location.

Claim 51

The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said remotely programming said indicator from a remote location further comprises programming over a computer network.

Claim 52

The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said remotely programming said availability time indicator from a remote location further comprises programming through a telephony system.

Claim 53

The method as described in claim 35 or 41 and further comprising accessing the timing system by a user from a remote location.

Claim 54

The method as described in claim 45 and further comprising accessing the timing system via a computer network.

Claim 55

The method as described in claim 46 and further comprising accessing the timing system via a telephony system.