Generation of a hierarchically-organized collection of hyperlinked graphics charts
AssigneeSmartDraw, LLC
InventorsPaul R. Stannard, Richard H. Stannard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Documentation of processes is managed by a computer- or processor-generated collection of hierarchically-organized charts. Systematic perusal of the collection is provided by a linking mechanism operated by a computer, a processor, or a processing entity that stores, retrieves, and displays the collection. The linking mechanism enables an automatic bidirectional traversal between a step in a process illustrated in a higher-level flow diagram of the collection and a lower level flow chart illustrating the step in greater detail.
Claims17
A method executed by a computer system operative to generate, store, and display a collection of graphics charts, comprising the computer-executed steps of:
- displaying a first graphics chart containing a plurality of connected objects;
- receiving a selection command indicating a sequence of connected objects in the plurality of connected objects;
- and then, in response to the received selection command:
- automatically creating a second graphics chart containing the indicated sequence of connected objects;
- automatically removing at least a portion of the sequence of connected objects from the first graphics chart;
- and,
- automatically adding a hyperlink between the first and second graphics charts.
A computer-executed method for generating hierarchically-related process flow charts, comprising:
- receiving a selection command indicating a sequence of connected shapes in a first process flow chart;
- the selection command indicating a master shape in the sequence;
- and then, in response to the selection command:
- automatically creating a second process flow chart containing the indicated sequence of connected shapes;
- automatically removing all of the sequence of connected shapes except the master shape from the first process flow chart;
- and,
- automatically adding a hyperlink in the master shape to the second process flow chart.
A graphics-processor-executed method for hierarchically relating a first process flow chart containing a shape summarizing a process contained in a second process flow chart by the graphics-processor-executed step of automatically adding a first hyperlink from the shape to the second process flow chart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.