US 5,844,572 A · Method and apparatus for data alteration by manipulation of representational graphs

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for altering data by manipulation of representational dynamic graphs. Specifically, a method and apparatus are provided for using dynamic graphs wherein the computer user is able to manipulate the graph shape directly, which in turn not only modifies the graph, but also alters the corresponding and underlying tabularized data, as well as any associated numeric representations of the data that may be presented to the computer user. The method and apparatus are provided for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory, a user manipulation device, and a video display, wherein a dynamic graph is created having at least one data representation element which may be focused or unfocused. Creation of the dynamic graph includes creating and saving graphical and statistical characteristics of the dynamic graph. Manipulation of a data representation element via the user manipulation device may include reconfiguring the dynamic graph to select a focused data representation element desired to be manipulated. Modification of the dynamic graph according to user manipulation includes altering not only the graphical display, but also the underlying graph data corresponding to the dynamic graph. The method and apparatus thereby provide a simple and easy way for users to alter their data and modify the interrelationship between associated data by intuitive manipulation of representational dynamic graphs.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A method for altering data for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory, a user manipulation device, and a video display, by manipulation of a dynamic graphical representation of the data, comprising:

(a) creating a dynamic graphical representation including graphical elements having at least one data representation element that may be focused or unfocused, wherein graphical elements are saved in system memory;
(b) determining focus information based on input received from the user manipulation device;
(c) if the focus information indicates an unfocused data representation element, reconfiguring the dynamic graphical representation to shift focus to the unfocused data representation element indicated by the focus information, thereby changing the unfocused data representation element to a focused data representation element;
(d) determining alteration information concerning the focused data representation element based on input received from the user manipulation device;
(e) modifying the focused data representation element according to the alteration information;
and
(f) altering the data stored in system memory corresponding to the focused data representation element according to the alteration information.

4 more elements

A method for creating a dynamic graphical representation of data having a background and at least one data representation element for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory having a first and a second system memory location, and a video display, comprising:

(a) determining initialization data including dynamic graphical representation parameters and data representation element data describing the actual underlying data corresponding to the data representation element;
(b) creating the background of the dynamic graphical representation without the data representation element using the dynamic graphical representation parameters;
(c) saving the background in a first system memory location;
(d) copying the background from the first system memory location to a second system memory location;
(e) creating the data representation element on the background at the second system memory location;
and
(f) displaying the dynamic graphical representation at the second system memory location having the background and the data representation element on the video display.

4 more elements

Apparatus for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory having a first and a second system memory location, and a video display, for creating a dynamic graphical representation of data, comprising:

(a) a video display for displaying a dynamic graphical representation of data;
(b) a system memory having a first and a second system memory location for storing program instruction, data, and video display information;
and
(c) a processing unit, coupled to said video display, and system memory, for creating the dynamic graphical representation of data for display on the video display by:
(i) determining initialization data including dynamic graphical representation parameters and data representation element data describing the actual underlying data corresponding to the data representation element;
(ii) creating the background of the dynamic graphical representation without the data representation element using the dynamic graphical representation parameters;
(iii) saving the background in a first system memory location;
(iv) copying the background from the first system memory location to a second system memory location;
(v) creating the data representation element on the background at the second system memory location;
and
(vi) displaying the dynamic graphical representation at the second system memory location having the background and the data representation element on the video display.

8 more elements

Apparatus for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory having a first and a second system memory location, associated system components involved in monitoring and providing information about the dynamic graphical representation, and a video display, for altering data of a dynamic graphical representation of data having a background and at least one data representation element, comprising:

(a) a video display for displaying a dynamic graphical representation of data;
(b) a system memory having a first and a second system memory location for storing program instruction, data, and video display information;
(c) associated system components for monitoring and providing information about the dynamic graphical representation;
and
(d) a processing unit, coupled to said video display, system memory, and associated system components, for altering data according to the information provided by the associated system components by:
(i) creating a dynamic graphical representation by:
(A) determining initialization data including dynamic graphical representation parameters and data representation element data describing the actual underlying data corresponding to the data representation element;
(B) creating the background of the dynamic graphical representation without the data representation element using the dynamic graphical representation parameters;
(C) saving the background in a first system memory location;
(D) copying the background from the first system memory location to a second system memory location;
(E) creating the data representation element on the background at the second system memory location;
and
(F) displaying the dynamic graphical representation at the second system memory location having the background and the data representation element on the video display;
and
(i) modifying the dynamic graphical representation by:
(A) copying the background from the first system memory location to the second system memory location;
(B) creating a new data representation element according to information received from the associated system components on the background at the second system memory location;
and
(C) displaying the dynamic graphical representation at the second system memory location having the background and the new data representation element on the video display.

16 more elements

Apparatus for use with a computer system having a processing unit, system memory, a user manipulation device, and a video display, for creating a dynamic graphical representation of data having at least one data representation element, comprising:

(a) a video display for displaying a dynamic graphical representation of data;
(b) a system memory for storing program instruction, data, and video display information;
(c) a user manipulation device for manipulating the dynamic graphical representation;
and
(d) a processing unit, coupled to said video display, system memory, and user manipulation device, for creating the dynamic graphical representation of data for display on the video display by:
(i) determining initialization data including dynamic graphical representation parameters, data representation element data describing the actual underlying data corresponding to the data representation element, and manipulation information indicating the manipulability of the dynamic graphical representation by the user manipulation device;
and
(ii) if the manipulation information indicates that the dynamic graphical representation cannot be manipulated by the user manipulation device, creating an output dynamic graphical representation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for data alteration by manipulation of representational graphs

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for data alteration by manipulation of representational graphs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46