Method and apparatus for visualizing changes in data
First Claim
1. A method for automatically identifying differences between two portions of textual data, comprising:
- displaying a first version of the textual data as a first display;
displaying a second version of the textual data as a second display; and
automatically switching between the first display and the second display at a determined rate such that any differences between the first version of the textual data and the second version of the textual data are perceived as motion within a single display of the textual data by a human observer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for visualizing changes in text data, such as in software code or a document, are provided. When two versions of text data are to be compared, each of the versions of text data are loaded into memory, such as a text data buffer. A display of the two versions is then generated with one version of the text data superimposed over the other. That is, the text is compared so that corresponding or matched text is displayed in the same location on the display such that the appearance of corresponding text in the two versions is as if there were a single document displayed. The display is then switched between the first version of the text data and the second version of the text data. The result of such switching is that portions of text that are dissimilar between the versions appear to move due to their dissimilarity. The “movement” of the text is easily discernible to the human eye. In further embodiments, more than two versions of data may be compared and displayed in the above manner such that a morphing affect is achieved as the display switches between versions of the text data. The morphing affect allows a viewer of the text data display to be able to see the historical change of the text data from one version to the other. This morphing can be performed in a forward and backward direction.
82 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for automatically identifying differences between two portions of textual data, comprising:
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displaying a first version of the textual data as a first display;
displaying a second version of the textual data as a second display; and
automatically switching between the first display and the second display at a determined rate such that any differences between the first version of the textual data and the second version of the textual data are perceived as motion within a single display of the textual data by a human observer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23)
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11. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for identifying differences between two portions of textual data, comprising:
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first instructions for displaying a first version of the textual data as a first display;
second instructions for displaying a second version of the textual data as a second display; and
third instructions for automatically switching between the first display and the second display at a determined rate such that any differences between the first version of the textual data and the second version of the textual data are perceived as motion within a single display of the textual data by a human observer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for identifying differences between two portions of textual data, comprising:
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means for displaying a first version of the textual data as a first display;
means for displaying a second version of the textual data as a second display; and
means for automatically switching between the first display and the second display at a determined rate such that any differences between the first version of the textual data and the second version of the textual data are perceived as motion within a single display of the textual data by a human observer.
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Specification