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Temporal relations

Temporal relations describe how two time intervals relate to each other. In Minyu, they are used when filtering rows based on how a row’s time span compares to a reference interval.

Each comparison evaluates:

  • Interval A – the interval of the row being evaluated
  • Interval B – the reference interval

The relation between these two intervals determines whether the row is included or excluded.

Why temporal relations exist

Time-based data rarely fits simple equality checks.

Scheduling, availability, and temporal classifications require understanding whether intervals overlap, touch, contain, or are separated in time. Temporal relations provide a precise and consistent way to express these comparisons.

By selecting explicit relations, filtering behavior becomes predictable and unambiguous.

Supported relations

Minyu supports 13 temporal relations.
In all examples below:

  • Interval A is the evaluated row
  • Interval B is the reference interval

1. Before

Interval A ends entirely before Interval B begins.

2. Meets

Interval A ends exactly when Interval B begins.

3. Overlaps

Interval A starts before Interval B begins and ends after Interval B has started.

4. Starts

Interval A starts at the same time as Interval B but ends earlier.

5. During

Interval A is fully contained within Interval B.

6. Finishes

Interval A ends at the same time as Interval B but starts later.

7. Equals

Interval A and Interval B start and end at exactly the same time.

8. After

Interval A starts entirely after Interval B ends.

9. Met by

Interval A starts exactly when Interval B ends.

10. Overlapped by

Interval A starts after Interval B has started but ends before Interval B ends.

11. Started by

Interval A starts at the same time as Interval B but ends later.

12. Contains

Interval A fully contains Interval B.

13. Finished by

Interval A ends at the same time as Interval B but starts earlier.

How to read the selector

The temporal relation selector visualizes these relations directly.

  • The vertical bar represents the reference interval.
  • The horizontal bars represent candidate intervals.
  • Each horizontal bar’s position relative to the vertical bar corresponds to one temporal relation.

Selecting a relation includes rows whose intervals match that relation.

An Exclude matching option inverts the result: - Rows matching the selected relations are excluded. - All other rows are included.

This inversion changes the filter outcome, not the definition of the relations.

Related concepts