Spreadsheet image showing data items as indirect graphical representations
First Claim
1. In a processor-based machine including a memory having instructions stored therein indicating instructions for a spreadsheet application program the processor executes, and including a display device having a display area wherein a first image of a spreadsheet is presented having a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the cells including an image of character information showing a direct representation of a data value indicated by a respectively paired one of a plurality of data items stored in a data array in the memory of the machine, the plurality of cells being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
- the improvement wherein the processor, in executing the instructions for the spreadsheet application program, presents a second image of the spreadsheet in the display area replacing the first image;
the processor replacing each character information image included in one of the respective cells in the first image of the spreadsheet with a graphical display object image in the second image of the spreadsheet;
the graphical display object image representing an indirect graphical representation of the data value indicated by the respectively paired data item;
the second image of the spreadsheet showing a graphical view of the data values of the respectively paired data items in the data array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improvement to a spreadsheet application program executed in a processor-controlled machine displays a first spreadsheet image showing a plurality of cell regions each of which shows a direct, symbolic representation of a source data value of a source data item in an n-dimensional (nD) information data array with which the cell is respectively paired. In response to an image display request signal, a second spreadsheet image is displayed which shows, in each cell, a graphical display object representation of the respectively paired source data value in place of its direct representation. The source data values in the nD data array are thus graphically, or indirectly, represented in the cell regions in the second spreadsheet image, facilitating the visual observation, identification and inspection of patterns and trends in the data. A sophisticated user interface permits a system user to perform spreadsheet manipulation functions, such as reordering rows and column, sorting rows or columns, and deriving new rows or column, in order to further reveal data trends and patterns in the graphical representations.
221 Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a processor-based machine including a memory having instructions stored therein indicating instructions for a spreadsheet application program the processor executes, and including a display device having a display area wherein a first image of a spreadsheet is presented having a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the cells including an image of character information showing a direct representation of a data value indicated by a respectively paired one of a plurality of data items stored in a data array in the memory of the machine, the plurality of cells being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;
- the improvement wherein the processor, in executing the instructions for the spreadsheet application program, presents a second image of the spreadsheet in the display area replacing the first image;
the processor replacing each character information image included in one of the respective cells in the first image of the spreadsheet with a graphical display object image in the second image of the spreadsheet;
the graphical display object image representing an indirect graphical representation of the data value indicated by the respectively paired data item;
the second image of the spreadsheet showing a graphical view of the data values of the respectively paired data items in the data array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- the improvement wherein the processor, in executing the instructions for the spreadsheet application program, presents a second image of the spreadsheet in the display area replacing the first image;
Specification