System and method to present and display multiple data using enhanced box charts

• US 7,212,208 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bahram Khozai
• Original Assignee: Bahram Khozai
• Inventors: Khozai, Bahram
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier; Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US10/372,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A system and method for presenting and displaying multiple data in graphical form. A universal, objective, and quantifiable measuring presentation tool provides a quick graphic display of multiple data (e.g., parameters, functions, or metrics) under study. This data could be achievement, performance, accomplishment, or any other information that needs to be quantifiably and objectively measured and displayed using a number of user-defined criteria. The display provides for easy, quantifiable and objective visually graphic comparison among various entities whose parameters are being viewed.

Claims

1. A computer implemented graphical display for graphically displaying data from user selected data fields, the user selected data fields being selected from one or more user selectable data sets, the graphical display comprising:

a user selected body portion, wherein the body portion has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and width, wherein the length represents a first data field from a user selectable data set and the width represents a second data field from a user selectable data set; and

a user selected number of extensions that extend from the body portion, each extension representing at least one user selected data field from one or more user selectable data sets.

2. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion has a user defined shape.

3. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion has a user defined regular or irregular shape.

4. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion has a user defined dynamic shape.

5. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion has a user defined dynamic shape, where the shape changes based on changes in the value of one or both of the first data field and the second data field.

6. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion has a user defined dynamic shape, where the shape changes based on the occurrence of a predetermined event.

7. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes, where at least one of the user defined attributes include the shape of the body portion.

8. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes, where at least one of the user defined attributes include portions of the body portion, whereby the portions of the body portion represent one or more user selected data fields from one or more user selectable data sets.

9. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a three dimensional shape.

10. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, where the length of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a third user selected data field from a user selectable data set and the width of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a fourth user selected data field from a user selectable data set.

11. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension is a substantially linear shape having a length, where the length of the at least one extension'"'"'s linear shape represents a user selected data field from a user selectable data set.

12. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a user defined shape.

13. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a user defined regular or irregular shape.

14. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a user defined dynamic shape.

15. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a user defined dynamic shape, where the shape changes based on changes in the value of user selected data.

16. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a user defined dynamic shape, where the shape changes based on the occurrence of a predetermined event.

17. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where each of the user defined attributes convey a value from different user selected data fields of a user selectable data set.

18. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where at least one of the user defined attributes include the shape of the at least one extension.

19. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where at least one of the user defined attributes include a dimension of the at least one extension.

20. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where at least one of the user defined attributes include portions of the at least one extension, whereby the portions of the at least one extension represent one or more user selected data fields from one or more user selectable data sets.

21. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension comprises at least a three dimensional shape, where at least some of the three dimensions represent different ones of one or more user selected data fields from one or more user selectable data sets.

22. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension extends from a user selected portion of the body portion.

23. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of the body portion, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data.

24. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of the body portion, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, where the at least one sub-element comprises an enhanced box chart.

25. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of the body portion, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, the at least one sub-element having a user selected configuration.

26. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of the body portion, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, the at least one sub-element having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a video, a graphic, a link, a sound and a box chart.

27. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of at least one extension, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data.

28. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of at least one extension, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, where the at least one sub-element comprises an enhanced box chart.

29. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of at least one extension, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, the at least one sub-element having a user selected configuration.

30. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of at least one extension, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, the at least one sub-element having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a video, a graphic, a link, a sound and a box chart.

31. The graphical display of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selected sub-element located on, in or outside of at least one extension, the at least one sub-element corresponding to user selected data, the at least one sub-element having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a video, a graphic, a link, a sound and a box chart, wherein the at least one sub-element is a dynamic sub-element.

32. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein data included in the one or more user selectable data sets comprises qualitative and/or quantitative data.

33. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the first data field includes a minima, a maxima and at least one user defined intermediate range lying between the minima and maxima, wherein the length of the body portion represents the intermediate range, and wherein the extensions comprise at least a first extension that extends from one end of the body portion and has a dimension corresponding to the distance between the minima and a lower end of the intermediate range, and at least a second extension that extends from another end of the body portion and has a dimension corresponding to the distance between an upper end of the intermediate range and the maxima.

34. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the body portion is defined by one or more lines, each having a thickness, where the thickness of the one or more lines represents a user selected data value or information.

35. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the body portion is defined by one or more lines, each having a color, where the color of the one or more lines represents a user selected data value or information.

36. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes, where the attributes convey one or more of user selected data or information.

37. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes, where the attributes convey one or more of user selected data or information and where each extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where the attributes include the shape of the extension.

38. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes, where the attributes convey one or more of user selected data or information, and where each extension comprises a number of user defined attributes, where the attributes include the shape of the extension and the dimensions of the extension.

39. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a plurality of separate body portions, wherein at least one of the separate body portions has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, and wherein a first dimension of the at least one separate body portion includes the length of the rectangular shape and a second dimension of the at least one separate body portion includes the width of the rectangular shape, wherein each separate body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes that convey one or more of user selected data or information, and wherein the user defined attributes of at least one of the plurality of separate body portions comprises the shape of the at least one separate body portion and the dimensions of the at least one separate body portion, and wherein the number of body portions in the plurality of separate body portions represent user selected data or other information.

40. The graphical display of claim 1 where at least one extension has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, where the length of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a third user selected data field from a user selectable data set and the width of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a fourth data user selected field from a user selectable data set, and where the at least one extension meets the body portion at a location, wherein the location represents user selected data.

41. The graphical display of claim 1 where the body portion comprises a plurality of separate body portions, wherein at least one of the separate body portions has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, wherein a first dimension of the at least one separate body portion includes the length of the rectangular shape and a second dimension of the at least one separate body portion includes the width of the rectangular shape, wherein each separate body portion comprises a number of user defined attributes that convey one or more of user selected data or information, where the attributes include the shape of at least one of the separate body portions, the dimensions of at least one of the separate body portions, and a number of body portions in the plurality of separate body portions, and where at least one extension has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, where the length of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a third user selected data field from a user selectable data set and the width of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a fourth user selected data field from a user selectable data set.

42. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of body portions, wherein each of the body portions comprises a number of user defined attributes that convey user selected data or information, where the attributes include one or more of the shape of at least one of the body portions, the dimensions of at least one of the body portions, and the number of body portions, and wherein at least one extension has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, where the length of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a third user selected data field from a user selectable data set and the width of the at least one extension'"'"'s rectangular shape represents a fourth user selected data field from a user selectable data set.

43. The graphical display of claim 1, further comprising at least one sub-element within the body portion, where the at least one sub-element includes one or more scales or axes.

44. The graphical display of claim 1, further comprising at least one sub-element within the body portion, where the at least one sub-element includes one or more self-scalable scales or axes.

45. The graphical display of claim 1, where each point in, on or outside the body portion displays user selected data.

46. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion displays user selected data.

47. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected attribute.

48. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a shape in, on or outside the body portion.

49. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a dimension in, on or outside the body portion.

50. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a thickness in, on or outside the body portion.

51. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration in, on or outside the body portion.

52. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprise a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a graphic, a link, and a box chart in, on or outside the body portion.

53. The graphical display of claim 1, where each point in, on or outside each extension displays user selected data.

54. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension display user selected data.

55. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected attribute.

56. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a shape in, on or outside the body portion.

57. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a dimension in, on or outside the body portion.

58. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected attribute, where the attribute includes at least a thickness in, on or outside the body portion.

59. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration in, on or outside the body portion.

60. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension comprise a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a graphic, a link, and a box chart in, on or outside the body portion.

61. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of at least one user selected point in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data.

62. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data.

63. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion comprising a user selected attribute conveys a user selected data.

64. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data or information, wherein the body portion comprises a user selected attribute that conveys user selected data or information, and wherein the attribute includes at least a shape in, on or outside the body portion.

65. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data or information, wherein the body portion comprises a user selected attribute that conveys user selected data or information, and wherein the attribute includes at least a dimension in, on or outside the body portion.

66. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data or information, wherein the body portion comprises a user selected attribute that conveys user selected data or information, and wherein the attribute includes at least a thickness in, on or outside the body portion.

67. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data or information, wherein the body portion comprises a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration in, on or outside the body portion.

68. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion conveys user selected data or information, wherein the body portion comprises a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a graphic, a link, and a box chart in, on or outside the body portion.

69. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of each point in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data.

70. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data.

71. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected attribute.

72. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected attribute, and wherein the attribute includes at least a shape in, on or outside the body portion.

73. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected attribute, and wherein the attribute includes at least a dimension in, on or outside the body portion.

74. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected attribute, and wherein the attribute includes at least a thickness in, on or outside the body portion.

75. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected sub-element, where the sub-element includes a user selected configuration in, on or outside the body portion.

76. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension conveys user selected data or information, wherein each extension comprises a user selected sub-element, where each sub-element includes a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

an axis, a line, a shape, a symbol, a sign, an image, a graphic, a link, and a box chart in, on or outside the extension.

77. The graphical display of claim 1, where each point in, on or outside the body portion dynamically displays user selected data.

78. The graphical display of claim 1, where each point in, on or outside each extension dynamically displays user selected data.

79. The graphical display of claim 1, where an attribute of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion dynamically changes to display user selected data.

80. The graphical display of claim 1, where an attribute of a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension dynamically changes to display user selected data.

81. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside the body portion dynamically conveys user selected data.

82. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside the body portion dynamically changes from one color into another to convey user selected data.

83. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside each extension dynamically conveys user selected data.

84. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside each extension dynamically changes from one color into another to convey user selected data.

85. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside the body portion dynamically changes from one color into a plurality of colors to convey user selected data.

86. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected color in, on or outside each extension dynamically changes from one color into a plurality of colors to convey user selected data.

87. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside the body portion dynamically changes to a color to convey user selected data.

88. The graphical display of claim 1, where a user selected combination of points in, on or outside each extension dynamically changes to a color to convey user selected data.

89. The graphical display of claim 1, where the graphical display simultaneously displays more than one body portion and where at least two body portions have at least one point in common.

90. The graphical display of claim 1, where the graphical display simultaneously displays more than one body portion and where at least two body portions have no point in common.

91. The graphical display of claim 1, where rotating, turning, twisting, spiraling, curling, zigzagging, compressing, collapsing and/or tilting of the body portion, extensions, or any portions thereof may be utilized by the user to display certain data or information.

92. The graphical display of claim 1, where a full and/or partial area of any surface, boundary, side, intersection, plane or periphery of any two-or three-dimensional body portion and/or extension may be utilized by the user to display certain data and/or information.

93. The graphical display of claim 1, where a full and/or partial volume of any three-dimensional body portion and/or extension may be utilized by the user to display certain data and/or information.

94. The graphical display of claim 1, where a thickness of a full and/or partial line or length;

a full and/or partial area;

or a full and/or partial volume of any one-, two-, or three-dimensional body portion and/or extension may be utilized by the user to display certain data and/or information.

95. The graphical display of claim 1, where a color of points, full and/or partial lines, full and/or partial lengths, full and/or partial areas and full and/or partial volumes of any one-, two-, or three-dimensional body portion and/or extension may be utilized by the user to display certain data and/or information.

96. The graphical display of claim 1, where a self-scale, self-gradation, self-axis or color graded axis may be on and/or adjacent to at least one full and/or partial line, full and/or partial length, full and/or partial area, or full and/or partial volume.

97. The graphical display of claim 1, where data or pieces of information are presented as sound and various components of the sound including pitch, tone, level, frequency or harmonics may be utilized by the user to present certain data and/or information.

98. The graphical display of claim 1, where data or pieces of information are presented as light and various components of the light including intensity, reflection, refraction, phase angle, level, frequency or harmonics may be utilized by the user to present certain data and/or information.

99. The graphical display of claim 1, where scale, axis, self-scale and self-axis are presented as sound and various components of the sound including pitch, tone, level, frequency or harmonics may be utilized by the user to present certain data and/or information.

100. The graphical display of claim 1, where scale, axis, self-scale and self-axis are presented as light and various components of the light including intensity, reflection, refraction, phase angle, level, frequency or harmonics may be utilized by the user to present certain data and/or information.

101. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can represent a normal distribution curve by having one of a full or partial body portion area relate to an area under a bell curve between two user-defined points.

102. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can represent a normal distribution curve by having one of a full or partial body portion area relate to an area under a bell curve between two user-defined points and a lower full or partial extension area relate to an area between a smaller one of the user-defined points and a lower range of the bell curve.

103. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can represent a normal distribution curve by having one of a full or partial body portion area relate to an area under a bell curve between two user-defined points and an upper full or partial extension area relate to an area between a larger one of the user-defined points and a higher range of the bell curve.

104. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to the general form of a normal distribution curve.

105. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to the general form of non-normal distribution curves and the area under the non-normal distribution curves.

106. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to the general form of multi-polar curves and the area under the multi-polar curves.

107. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to the general form of linear, non-linear, time-varying, multi-dimensional, or multi-variable curves and the area under such curves.

108. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to user-defined statistically significant points and characteristics of linear, non-linear, time-varying, multi-dimensional, or multi-variable functions.

109. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to user-defined statistically significant points and characteristics of digitized data and/or information.

110. The graphical display of claim 1, where the body portion and extensions can correspond to user-defined statistically significant points and characteristics of analog data and/or information.

111. The graphical display of claim 1, further comprising at least one outlier displayed continuously in the form of a collapsed line.

112. The graphical display of claim 1 wherein the graphical display comprises one or more of a computer printout;

a display on a computer monitor, television, high definition TV, digital TV, or screen;

a digital projection;

a hologram;

a virtual reality display;

an augmented reality display;

an augmented vision display;

a three-dimensional display;

or a tele-presence re-creation.

113. A computer implemented graphical display for graphically displaying user selected data, the graphical display comprising:

a user selected body portion, wherein the body portion has a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, wherein the length represents a first data field from a user selectable data set and the width represents a second data field from a user selectable data set; and

a user selected number of extensions that extend from the body portion, each extension representing at least one user selected data field from one or more user selectable data sets;

wherein the body portion is interactive, such that in response to a user action with respect to a selected part of the body portion, the graphical display displays additional information about the data associated with the selected part of the body portion.

114. The graphical display of claim 113, where an occurrence of a user determined set of events enables another user selected data field from a user selectable data set to be conveyed by the graphical display.

115. A computer implemented method for graphically displaying user selected data fields from one or more data sets, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling a user to graphically select user selected characteristics of a body portion of a box chart, the body portion having at least a first dimension representing a first user selected data field from a user selectable data set and a second dimension representing a second user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

enabling the user to graphically assign the first user selected data field to the first dimension and enabling the user to graphically assign the second user selected data field to the second dimension;

enabling the user to graphically select a user selected number of extensions to extend from the body portion of the box chart, each extension representing a user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

enabling the user to graphically assign a user selected data field from a user selectable data set to each extension; and

graphically displaying the box chart, including the body portion and the extensions.

116. A computer implemented system for graphically displaying user selected data fields from one or more data sets, the system comprising:

at least one data source comprising multiple data sets;

means for enabling a user to graphically select user selected characteristics of a body portion of a box chart, the body portion having two or more dimensions representing at least one user selected data field from user selectable data sets;

means for enabling the user to graphically select a user selected number of extensions to extend from the body portion of the box chart, each extension representing at least one user selected data field from user selectable data sets;

means for enabling the user to graphically assign at least one user selected data field from the user selectable data sets to each of the dimensions of the body portion;

means for enabling the user to graphically assign at least one user selected data field from the user selectable data sets to each extension; and

display means for graphically displaying the box chart, including the body portion and the extensions.

117. A computer implemented user interface for graphically displaying user selected data fields from one or more data sets, the user interface comprising:

graphically displayed body portion selection control means for enabling a user to select user selected characteristics of a body portion of a box chart, the body portion having at least a first dimension representing a first user selected data field from a user selectable data set and a second dimension representing a second user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

first graphically displayed control means for enabling the user to assign the first user selected data field to the first dimension and enabling the user to assign the second user selected data field to the second dimension;

graphically displayed extension selection control means for enabling the user to select a user selected number of extensions to extend from the body portion of the box chart, each extension representing a user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

second graphically displayed control means enabling the user to assign a user selected data field from a user selectable data set to each extension;

display means for graphically displaying the box chart in the user interface, including the body portion and the extensions; and

the first and second graphically displayed control means enabling the user to modify the box chart using the user interface.

118. A computer implemented graphical display for graphically displaying user selected student grade information, the graphical display comprising:

a user selected body portion, wherein the body portion is a substantially rectangular shape having a length and a width, where the length represents a first user selectable set of grade related data and the width represents a second user selectable set of grade related data; and

a user selected number of extensions that extend from the body portion, each extension representing user selectable set of grade related data.

119. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data includes a range of grades within a range of percentiles, and the graphical display displays an individual student'"'"'s grade as a horizontal line through the body portion.

120. The graphical display of claim 119 wherein the graphical display further comprises at least one additional horizontal line through the body portion to represent one or more of a mean or median of a distribution of grades.

121. The graphical display of claim 119 wherein the graphical display further comprises one or more sub-elements that graphically represent a segmentation of a distribution of grades, the segmentation comprising one or more of race or gender information.

122. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition of students.

123. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and the body portion and extensions are scaled and/or have at least one axis in, on or through them.

124. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, the points having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

percentiles, weighted averages, normal distribution cut-off points, and mean plus and minus multiples of statistical deviation; and

where a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range.

125. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, the demographic composition having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

gender, ethnicity, family characteristic, family income, family make-up, neighborhood, housing and means of transportation.

126. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, the demographic composition having a user selected configuration.

127. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, and an individual student'"'"'s grade is displayed as a user-defined sub-element in, on or through the body portion or at least one of the extensions.

128. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of grades within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, and an individual student'"'"'s grade is displayed as a user-defined sub-element in, on or through the body portion or at least one of the extensions, and at least one of the extensions represents one or more ranges of the demographic composition.

129. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selected set of grade related data comprises a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, and an individual student'"'"'s grade is displayed as a user-defined sub-element in, on or through the body portion or at least one of the extensions, and portions of the body portion and each extension are distinguished by an attribute.

130. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data comprises a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents grades outside of the range, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of separate portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, and an individual student'"'"'s grade is displayed as a user-defined sub-element in, on or through the body portion or at least one of the extensions, and portions of the body portion and each extension are distinguished by an attribute and/or sub-element.

131. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where a range of user selected statistical data and information are represented by a range of user-defined attributes and/or sub-elements.

132. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data includes a range of grades within a range of percentiles, and the graphical display displays an individual student'"'"'s grade as a horizontal line through at least one extension.

133. The graphical display of claim 118 wherein the graphical display graphically displays grade report data, where the first user selectable set of grade related data includes a range of grades within a range of percentiles, and wherein a dimension of at least one of the extensions represent grades outside of the range of percentiles.

134. A computer implemented user interface for graphically displaying user selected portfolio analysis data, the user interface comprising:

graphically displayed body portion selection control means for enabling a user to select a user selected body portion of a box chart, the body portion having at least a first dimension that represents a first user selectable set of portfolio related data and a second dimension that represents a second user selectable set of portfolio related data;

graphically displayed extension selection control means for enabling a user to select a number of extensions to extend from the body portion, each extension representing a user selectable set of portfolio related data; and

display means for graphically displaying the box chart in the user interface, including the body portion and extensions.

135. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio.

136. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio and the body portion or at least one extension further comprises at least one attribute that represents a mean value of the portfolio.

137. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected-time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that represent components comprising the portfolio.

138. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that represent components comprising the portfolio, and the body portion and extensions have scales and/or axes in, on, through or outside of them.

139. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that represent components comprising the portfolio, the components having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

stocks, bonds, cash, securities, certificates of deposits, mortgages, foreign currencies, credits, interests, dividends, obligations receivables, accounts receivables, notes, options, futures contracts, derivatives, tangible assets, intangible assets and good will.

140. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent components comprising the portfolio, the components having a user selected configuration selected from the group consisting of:

debts, accounts payable, interest payables, margin interests, obligations, pledges, and notes payable.

141. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent components comprising the portfolio, and user selected sub-elements in, on, through or outside the portions of body portions and extensions represent a direction of change for the components comprising the portfolio.

142. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent components comprising the portfolio, and user selected attributes and/or sub-elements in, on or outside the body portion and extensions represent user-defined portfolio related data.

143. The graphical display of claim 134 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the portfolio, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent components comprising the portfolio, and user selected attributes and/or sub-elements in, on or outside the body portion and extensions represent user-defined company related data.

144. A computer implemented user interface for graphically displaying user selected employee evaluation data, the user interface comprising:

graphically displayed body portion selection control means for enabling a user to select a body portion of a box chart, the body portion having at least a first dimension that represents a first user selectable set of employee evaluation related data and a second dimension that represents a second user selectable set of employee evaluation related data;

graphically displayed extension selection control means for enabling a user to select a user selected number of extensions to extend from the body portion, each extension representing a user selectable set of employee evaluation related data; and

display means for graphically displaying the box chart in the user interface, including the body portion and extensions.

145. The graphical display of claim 144 wherein the graphical display graphically displays simultaneously two or more enhanced box charts, where each box chart represents evaluation related data for different periods of time, where the periods of time may be portions of the same year or different years.

146. The graphical display of claim 144 wherein the graphical display graphically displays user selected employee evaluation data, where the first set of employee evaluation related data comprises a range of employee evaluation related data within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents employee evaluation related data outside of the range of statistically significant points, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition of the employees.

147. The graphical display of claim 144 wherein the graphical display graphically displays user selected employee evaluation data, where the first set of employee evaluation related data comprises a range of employee evaluation related data within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents employee evaluation related data outside of the range of statistically significant points, and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, the demographic composition having a user selected configuration.

148. The graphical display of claim 144 wherein the graphical display graphically displays user selected employee evaluation data, where the first set of employee evaluation related data comprises a range of employee evaluation related data within a range of statistically significant points, and a dimension of at least one of the extensions represents employee evaluation related data outside of the range of statistically significant points;

and wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent a demographic composition, the demographic composition having a user selected configuration including one or more of;

age, gender, ethnicity, seniority, education, experience, location, medical history, health, habits, salary, position or family make-up.

149. A computer implemented user interface for graphically displaying user selected securities or commodities price related data, the user interface comprising:

graphically displayed body portion selection control means for enabling a user to select a user selected body portion of a box chart, the body portion having at least a first dimension that represents a first user selectable set of securities price related data and a second dimension that represents a second user selectable set of securities price related data;

graphically displayed extension selection control means for enabling a user to select a user selected number of extensions to extend from the body portion, each extension representing a user selectable set of securities price related data; and

display means for graphically displaying the box chart in the user interface, including the body portion and extensions.

150. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security.

151. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the security and a dimension of at least one extension represents a volume of the selected security traded during the selected time frame.

152. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the security and a dimension of at least a first extension represents a volume of the selected security traded at or near a high price during the selected time frame and a dimension of at least a second extension represents a volume of the selected security traded at or near a low price during the selected time frame.

153. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays within the body portion a first sub-element that represents an up volume and a second sub-element that represents a down volume.

154. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays simultaneously two or more enhanced box charts, where each box chart represents user selected securities price related data for a user selected period of time.

155. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and where the body portion comprises a plurality of portions that proportionally represent user selected significant characteristics of the selected security.

156. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and where the graphical display displays significant characteristics of the selected security as attributes and/or sub-elements in, on through or outside the body portion and/or at least one of the extensions.

157. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and one or more technical analysis metrics are represented as attributes and/or sub-elements in, on, through or outside the body portion and/or at least one of the extensions.

158. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and one or more technical analysis metrics are represented as attributes and/or sub-elements in, on, through or outside the body portion and/or at least one of the extensions;

the metrics having a user selected configuration including one or more of;

Moving Average, Moving Average Convergence Divergence (“

MACD”

), MACD Histogram, Relative Strength Index, Stochastics, Money Flow, On Balance Volume, Wilder'"'"'s DMI, Volatility Index, Accumulation/Distribution Index, Price Oscillator (“

PPO”

), William % R, Aroon Index, Aroon Oscillator, Rate of Change, Bollinger Band Width, Bollinger Squeeze, Ultimate Oscillator, Price Relative, Volume, Oscillators, Indexes, Parabolic SAR, Standard Deviation, or Regression Curves.

159. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and multiple body portions represent interruption in sample collection in the selected time frame.

160. The graphical display of claim 149 wherein the graphical display graphically displays for a user selected security for a user selected time frame, at least one of a minimum, a maximum, an open or a close value for the selected security, and multiple body portions represent interruptions in sample collection in the selected time frame, where discontinuities represent a beginning, a duration and an ending of an interruption in sample collection, where such samples include price and volume data.

161. A computer implemented user interface for graphically displaying simultaneously two or more enhanced box charts representing user selected data, the user interface comprising:

graphically displayed body portion selection control means for enabling a user to select user selected characteristics of a first body portion for at least a first enhanced box chart, the first body portion having at least a first dimension that represents a first user selected data field from a user selectable data set and a second dimension that represents a second user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

first graphically displayed control means for enabling the user to assign the first user selected data field to the first dimension of the first body portion and enabling the user to assign the second user selected data field to the second dimension of the first body portion;

graphically displayed extension selection control means for enabling the user to select a number of extensions to extend from the first body portion, each extension from the first body portion representing a user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

second graphically displayed control means enabling the user to assign a user selected data field from a user selectable data set to each extension from the first body portion;

the graphically displayed body portion selection control means enabling the user to select user selected characteristics of a second body portion for at least a second enhanced box chart, the second body portion having at least a first dimension that represents a third user selected data field from a user selectable data set and a second dimension that represents a fourth user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

the first graphically displayed control means enabling the user to assign the third user selected data field to the first dimension of the second body portion and enabling the user to assign the fourth user selected data field to the second dimension of the second body portion;

the graphically displayed extension selection control means enabling the user to select a number of extensions to extend from the second body portion, each extension from the second body portion representing a user selected data field from a user selectable data set;

the second graphically displayed control means enabling the user to assign a user selected data field from a user selectable data set to each extension from the second body portion;

display means for simultaneously graphically displaying at least the first and second enhanced box charts in the user interface as a time series display, including the first body portion, the extensions from the first body portion, the second body portion, and the extensions from the second body portion; and

the first and second graphically displayed control means enabling the user to modify the box chart using the user interface.

162. The graphical display of claim 161, where a plurality of user-desired averages are displayed through the time series display of the graphical display.

163. The graphical display of claim 161, where a plurality of user-desired central tendency metrics are displayed through the time series display of the graphical display, such metrics having a user selected configuration including one or more of:

mean, median, moving average, moving median, weighted average or weighted median.

164. The graphical display of claim 161, where the time series display of the graphical display is substantially enveloped by a plurality of user-desired central tendency metrics plus and minus user-desired multiples of standard deviation.

165. The graphical display of claim 161 wherein the graphical display enables fractal representation to a desired level of any aspect of data displayed on the graphical display.

166. The graphical display of claim 165 wherein the user defines and/or limits a subsequent viewers'"'"' access to fractally view the enhanced box chart.

167. The graphical display of claim 165 wherein the user defines and/or limits a subsequent viewers'"'"' access to fractally manipulate the enhanced box chart.

168. The graphical display of claim 165 wherein various display elements are interactive so that when a user selects such an element, a fractal representation corresponding to the selected element is displayed.

169. The graphical display of claim 165 wherein various display elements are interactive so that when a user selects such an element, a fractal representation corresponding to the selected element is displayed as an overlay of the element.

170. The graphical display of claim 165 wherein various display elements are interactive so that when a user selects such an element, a fractal representation corresponding to the selected element is displayed an overlay of the element with transparency or translucency.