Method and apparatus for entering a data range

A method for accepting user input of a plurality of time ranges into a computing device having a touchscreen, comprising:

• displaying on the touchscreen a time bar having a start region, a stop region and a spatial range intermediate the start region and the stop region, the spatial range corresponding to a temporal range;
• receiving on the touchscreen a first touch-and-slide input commencing at the start region and terminating at a first location in the spatial range;
• displaying on the touchscreen a first time marker at the first location;
• receiving on the touchscreen a second touch-and-slide input commencing at the stop region and terminating at a second location in the spatial range;
• displaying on the touchscreen a second time marker at the second location;
• identifying a first time based on the position of the first location within the spatial range;
• identifying a second time based on the position of the second location within the spatial range, wherein the first time precedes the second time;
• identifying a first time range including the first time and the second time;
• receiving on the touchscreen a third touch-and-slide input commencing at the start region and terminating at a third location on the spatial range;
• displaying on the touchscreen a third time marker at the third location;
• receiving on the touchscreen a fourth touch-and-slide input commencing at the stop region and terminating at a fourth location in the spatial range;
• displaying on the touchscreen a fourth time marker at the fourth location;
• identifying a third time based on the position of the third location within the spatial range;
• identifying a fourth time based on the position of the fourth location within the spatial range;
• and
• identifying a second time range including the third time and the fourth time, wherein the second time range is outside of the first time range.

An apparatus for inputting a plurality of time ranges, comprising:

• a touchscreen,
• a processor in communication with the touchscreen and configured to:
• output, for display at the touchscreen, a time bar having a start region, a stop region and a spatial range intermediate the start region and the stop region;
• receive an indication of a first touch-and-slide input detected at the touchscreen, the first touch-and-slide input commencing at the start region and terminating at a first location in the spatial range;
• receive an indication of a second touch-and-slide input detected at the touchscreen, the second touch-and-slide input commencing at the stop region and terminating at a second location in the spatial range;
• output, for display at the touchscreen, a time range extending from a first time defined based on a position of the first location in the spatial range to a second time defined based on a position of the second location in the spatial range;
• receive an indication of a third touch-and-slide input detected at the touchscreen, the third touch-and-slide input commencing at the start region and terminating at a third location in the spatial range;
• receive an indication of a fourth touch-and-slide input detected at the touchscreen, the fourth touch-and-slide input commencing at the stop region and terminating at a fourth location in the spatial range;
• and
• output, for display at the touchscreen, a second time range extending from a third time defined based on a position of the third location in the spatial range to a fourth time defined based on a position of the fourth location in the spatial range, wherein the second time range does not overlap the first time range.