Model-independent and interactive report generation system and method of operation

• US 5,832,532 A
• Filed: 06/16/1995
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JDA Software Group Incorporated (RedPrairie Holding Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: i2 Technologies Incorporated (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Brian M., Buehring, Walter J. Jr., Oren, Lamott G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US08/491,121
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 395/602, 395/603, 395/604, 364/745, 364/419.1, 364/408, 707/503, 707/500, 707/504, 707/505, 707/506
• US Class Current: 715/215
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/177 of tables; using ruled lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A computer software system is provided. The computer software system includes a compiler operable to receive a worksheet definition and to access a plurality of model interface functions. The worksheet definition is named and parameterized and comprises a plurality of cell definitions each defining a model-independent expression. The compiler is further operable to generate a worksheet template comprising a plurality of cell templates each defining a model-dependent expression. An evaluator is operable to receive the worksheet template. The evaluator is further operable to access the plurality of model interface functions and a user model. The evaluator is operable to evaluate the model-dependent expressions in the worksheet template and is operable to generate a worksheet instance containing a plurality of cell instances defining model-specific values (54).

Claims

1. A computer implemented model-independent report generation system comprising:

a worksheet definition, the worksheet definition being named and parameterized and comprising a plurality of cell definitions each defining a model-independent expression;

a user model that models a user environment;

a plurality of model interface functions associated with the user model;

a compiler operable to receive the worksheet definition and to access the plurality of model interface functions, the compiler further operable;

to generate, based upon the worksheet definition and the model interface functions, a worksheet template comprising a plurality of cell templates each defining a model-dependent expression; and

an evaluator operable to receive the worksheet template and to access the plurality of model interface functions and the user model, the evaluator further operable;

to evaluate the model-dependent expressions in the worksheet template, using the model interface functions and data from the user model, and

to generate a worksheet instance containing a plurality of cell instances defining model-specific values, the model-specific values resulting from evaluation of the model-dependent expressions with the data from the user model.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive a set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition and to record the set-expression in the worksheet template; and

the evaluator is further operable to receive edits to the values of the worksheet instance and change the user model as specified by the set-expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types, including a replicating worksheet for which:

a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and

a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a model-independent and a model-dependent expression comprise a recurse expression that allows a cell to generate a list from itself, resulting in nested replications generated from each replication of the same cell, continuing until the nested replications result in lists of zero values.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition; and

the evaluator is further operable to receive edits to the values of the worksheet instance and to change the user model as specified by a set-expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a renderer operable to receive the layout instance and to visually display controls to a user, and wherein:

the compiler is further operable;

to receive a layout definition, the layout definition being named and parameterized and comprising a plurality of control definitions that specify display of cell values, specifying the worksheet definition by name and passing specific parameter expressions to the worksheet definition, and to generate a layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to receive the layout template and to generate a layout instance specifying a precise relative layout of control instances, the control instances specifying a precise display of worksheet values;

the layout definition, template and instance comprise a layout type; and

the controls comprise a plurality of control types appropriate for the layout type.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition;

the evaluator is further operable to define interaction of each control to edit cell values of the worksheet instance and change the user model as specified by the set expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template; and

the renderer is further operable to support user interaction with the displayed controls.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein defined named commands are attached to controls of a specific type and controls associated with a specific cell value type, and the commands are operable to be invoked by user interactions specified by event definitions specifying a command performed when specified interactions occur.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

a menu layout type and menu control types which are formed together to specify a traditional menu system; and

the compiler is operable to translate into a native window system menu system including mnemonic and accelerator key interactions consistent with the native window system.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types including a replicating worksheet for which a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated;

the compiler is further operable to receive an axis-cross type of layout definition and generate an axis-cross layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to layout controls nested along each axis relative according to how cells were evaluated in the worksheet template and generate a layout instance that can display multi-dimensional data nested into a two-dimensional table; and

the renderer is operable to display the two-dimensional table.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

a model-independent and a model-dependent expression comprise a recurse expression that allows a cell to generate a list from itself, resulting in nested replications generated from each replication of the same cell, continuing until the nested replications result in lists of zero values;

a depth of nested evaluations of each cell are available to layout controls; and

an indented-text type of control is available which is operable to indent displayed text according to the depth of the nested evaluation that produced the value in the control.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition;

the evaluator is further operable to define interaction of each control to edit cell values of the worksheet instance and change the user model as specified by a set expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template; and

the renderer is further operable to support user interaction with displayed controls.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types including a replicating worksheet for which a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated;

the compiler is further operable to receive an axis-bar type of layout definition and generate an axis-bar layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to layout controls nested along an axis relative according to how cells were evaluated in the worksheet template and to generate a layout instance that can display multi-dimensional data nested into a row of headings and bars, the bars positioned side-by-side, stacked, and nested according to the nesting of worksheet evaluations; and

the renderer is operable to display the row of bars.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition; and

the evaluator is further operable to define interaction of each control to edit the cell values of the worksheet instance and change the user model as specified by the set expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template; and

the renderer is further operable to support user interaction with the displayed controls.

15. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types including a replicating worksheet for which a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated;

the compiler is further operable to receive a map type of layout definition and generate a map layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to generate a layout instance that can display map data;

the renderer is operable to display the layout instance;

the replicated cells are taken together by the map layout to indicate an x-y position in a two-dimensional space and are drawn as boxes; and

cells nested within other cells specify an x-y position that is relative to the parent such that the net result is that a two-dimensional map of rectangles is placed down.

16. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types including a replicating worksheet for which a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated;

the compiler is further operable to receive a Gantt type of layout definition and generate a Gantt layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to generate a layout instance that can display Gantt chart data; and

the renderer is operable to display the layout instance; and

the replicated cells are taken together by the Gantt layout to indicate start and end points of bars nested into rows of a Gantt chart.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the edges of the Gantt bars can be dragged to cause values to be set.

18. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive a named parameterized report definition and to generate a report template, the report definition comprising of a plurality of specifications of layout definitions using layout names and parameter expressions for layout parameters;

the evaluator further operable to receive the report template and a parameter expression and to generate a report instance comprising layout instances arranged according to a type of report definition, template, and instance; and

the renderer further operable to display the report instance in a window of a native window system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein;

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition; and

the evaluator is further operable to define interaction of each control to edit the cell values of the worksheet instance and change the user model specified by the set expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template; and

the renderer is further operable to support user interaction with displayed controls.

20. A computer system for providing a user with a computer implemented model-independent report generation system, comprising:

a data storage device operable to store data representing a user model data set that models a user environment and a plurality of model interface functions associated with the user model data set;

a data memory operable to store data representing a worksheet definition, the worksheet definition being named and parameterized and comprising a plurality of cell definitions each defining a model-independent expression, and representing a worksheet template, the worksheet template comprising a plurality of cell templates each defining a model-dependent expression;

an execution memory operable to store data representing a computer software application;

a display operable to display a report to a user of the computer system; and

a processor coupled to the data storage device, the data memory, the execution memory and the display, the processor executing the computer software application, wherein the computer software application comprises;

a compiler operable to receive the worksheet definition and to access the plurality of model interface functions, and the compiler further operable to generate the worksheet template; and

an evaluator operable to receive the worksheet template and to access the plurality of model interface functions and the user model data set, the evaluator further operable;

to evaluate the model-dependent expressions in the worksheet template, using the model interface functions and the user model data set, and

to generate a worksheet instance containing a plurality of cell instances defining model-specific values, the model-specific values resulting from evaluation of the model-dependent expressions with the user model data set.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive a set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition and to record the set-expression in the worksheet template; and

the evaluator is further operable to receive edits to the values of the worksheet instance and change the user model as specified by the set-expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet templates.

22. The computer system of claim 20, wherein the compiler and the evaluator are operable to process one of a plurality of worksheet types including a replicating worksheet for which a cell that evaluates to a list of values is evaluated into replicated cells in the worksheet instance, and a cell that evaluates from such list-valued cells also evaluates into replicated cells, one for each replicated cell from which it is evaluated.

23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein a model-independent and a model-dependent expression comprise a recurse expression that allows a cell to generate a list from itself, resulting in nested replications generated from each replication of the same cell, continuing until the nested replications result in lists of zero values.

24. The computer system of claim 23, wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive an additional set-expression for each cell definition of the worksheet definition; and

the evaluator is further operable to receive edits to the values of the worksheet instance and to change the user model as specified by a set-expression recorded by the compiler in the worksheet template.

25. The computer system of claim 23, further comprising a renderer operable to receive the layout instance and to visually display controls to a user, and wherein:

the compiler is further operable to receive a layout definition, the layout definition being named and parameterized and comprising a plurality of control definitions that specify display of cell values, specifying the worksheet definition by name and passing specific parameter expressions to the worksheet definition, and the compiler further operable to generate a layout template;

the evaluator is further operable to receive the layout template and to generate a layout instance specifying a precise relative layout of control instances, the control instances specifying a precise display of worksheet values;

the layout definition, template and instance comprise a layout type; and

the controls comprise a plurality of control types appropriate for the layout type.

26. A method of operating a computer system to allow model-independent report generation for a user of the computer system, comprising;

providing a plurality of model interface functions associated with a user model;

providing the user model defining a data set describing a user environment;

providing a worksheet definition, the worksheet definition being named and parameterized and comprising a plurality of cell definitions each defining a model-independent expression;

receiving the worksheet definition and accessing the plurality of model interface functions;

generating, based upon the worksheet definition and the model interface functions, a worksheet template comprising a plurality of cell templates each defining a model-dependent expression;

receiving the worksheet template and accessing the plurality of model interface functions and the user model data set;

evaluating the parameter expression and the model-dependent expressions in the worksheet template, using the model interface functions and the user model data set; and

generating a worksheet instance containing a plurality of cell instances defining model-specific values, the model-specific values resulting from evaluation of the model-dependent expressions with the user model data set; and

displaying a report to a user based upon the worksheet instance.