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US 5,634,133 AGranted
Constraint based graphics system
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorWinslow B. Kelley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constraint based graphic system and method for creating graphic layouts of constraints-related graphic objects. The graphic objects are defined in a "constraint hierarchy". The constraint hierarchy defines graphic object in terms of predetermined object "primitives" (such as rectangles, circles and lines) whose parameters may be constants, variables, functions, or parameters of other objects. Unique grouping, indexing, listing and logic functions that allow individual objects or groups of objects to be defined or constrained by the defining functions and attributes of other objects or groups of objects or by constants, variables and other functions are facilitated. Arguments of the functions may include single valued and "list valued" variables.
Claims21
In a spreadsheet application program, a method for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data, said method comprising the steps of:
- creating a graphic format within said spreadsheet application program using at least one instance of at least one graphical object for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data;
- and
- displaying said graphic format by operation of said spreadsheet application program;
- wherein said step of creating said graphic format comprises the steps of:
- accepting user input, wherein said user input comprises a definition of said at least one graphical object end a specification of a respective number for quantifying instances desired of said at least one graphical object;
- assigning an index for identifying each instance of said at least one graphical object;
- receiving user entry, wherein said user entry comprises at least one user designated expression for designating a relationship between at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, by means of said index, and said spreadsheet cell data;
- and
- evaluating said expressions to determine said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object.
6 more elements
In a spreadsheet application program, a method for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data, said method comprising the steps of:
- creating a graphic format within said spreadsheet application program using at least one instance of at least one graphical object for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data;
- and
- displaying said graphic format by operation of said spreadsheet application program;
- wherein said step of creating said graphic format comprises the steps of:
- accepting user input, wherein said user input comprises a definition of at least one instance of at least one source object;
- assigning an index for identifying each instance of said at least one source object;
- receiving user entry, wherein said user entry comprises at least one user designated expression for designating a relationship between at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, at least one attribute of at least one instance of said at least one source object, and said spreadsheet cell data;
- and
- evaluating said expressions to determine said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object.
6 more elements
In a spreadsheet application program, a method for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data, said method comprising the steps of:
- creating a graphic format within said spreadsheet application program using at least one instance of at least one graphical object for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data, by:
- accepting user input, wherein said user input comprises;
- a definition of said at least one instance of said at least one graphical object, and
- a definition of at least one instance of at least one source object related to at least one instance of said at least one graphical object,
- designating a first index for identifying each instance of said at least one graphical object,
- designating an additional index for identifying each instance of said at least one source object,
- receiving user entry, wherein said user entry comprises at least one user designated constraint hierarchy, wherein each of said at least one user designated constraint hierarchy comprises a rule base relating at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, by means of said first index, to said spreadsheet cell date and at least one attribute of at least one instance of said at least one source object, by means of said additional index, and
- determining said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said rule base in said constraint hierarchy;
- and
- displaying said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said attributes.
7 more elements
Apparatus for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data in a spreadsheet application program, said apparatus comprising:
- a graphics formatter operating under the control of said spreadsheet application program for creating a graphic format for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data using at least one instance of at least one graphical object, said graphics formatter comprising:
- a user input mechanism for receiving user input, wherein said user input comprises e definition of said at least one instance of said at least one graphical object end a specification of the a number of instances desired of said at least one graphical object,
- an index generator for generating an index number for each instance of said at least one graphical object,
- an index identifier for identifying said index number of each instance of said at least one graphical object,
- a user input receiver for accepting user instructions, wherein said user instructions comprise at least one expression designating a relationship between at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, by said index number, and said spreadsheet cell data, and
- an expression evaluator for evaluating said expressions to determine said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object;
- and
- a display operating under the control of said spreadsheet application program for displaying said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said attributes.
5 more elements
Apparatus for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data in a spreadsheet application program, said apparatus comprising:
- a graphics formatter operating under the control of said spreadsheet application program for creating a graphic format for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data using at least one instance of at least one graphical object, said graphics formatter comprising:
- a user input mechanism for receiving user input, wherein said user input comprises a definition of at least one instance of at least one source object,
- an index generator for generating an index number for each instance of said at least one source object,
- an index identifier for identifying said index number of each instance of said at least one source object,
- a user input receiver for accepting user instructions, wherein said user instructions comprise at least one expression designating a relationship between at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, said spreadsheet cell date, and at least one attribute of at least one instance of said at least one source object, and
- an expression evaluator for evaluating said expressions to determine said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object;
- and
- a display operating under the control of said spreadsheet application program for displaying said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said attributes.
5 more elements
Apparatus for graphically displaying spreadsheet cell data in a spreadsheet application program, said apparatus comprising:
- a graphics formatter operating under the control of said spreadsheet application program for creating a graphic format for graphically representing said spreadsheet cell data using at least one instance of at least one graphical object, said graphics formatter comprising:
- a user input mechanism for receiving user input, said user input comprising:
- a definition of said at least one instance of said at least one graphical object, end
- a definition of at least one instance of at least one source object related to at least one instance of said at least one graphical object,
- an index generator for generating a first index for each instance of said at least one graphical object and a second index for each instance of said at least one source object,
- a user input receiver for accepting at least one user designated constraint hierarchy, wherein each of said at least one user designated constraint hierarchy comprises a rule base designating a relationship between at least one attribute of each instance of said at least one graphical object, by means of said first index, said spreadsheet cell data, and at least one attribute of at least one instance of said at least one source object, by means of said second index, end
- a processor for determining said attributes of said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said rule base in said constraint hierarchy;
- and
- a display for displaying said instances of said at least one graphical object according to said attributes.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.