Graphical tool for defining a set of ranges
First Claim
1. A method of graphically presenting information to a user, the method comprising:
- displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values;
displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values;
displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values;
displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values;
displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers;
displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers;
graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values;
graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values;
graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values;
receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value;
receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value;
receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value;
receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values;
representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker;
receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values;
representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker;
receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values;
representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker;
providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure describes, generally, tools to allow more intuitive display and/or definition of ranges in software applications. Merely by way of example, a software application might include a user interface that has a graphical element (such as a line, a bar, and/or the like) that represents a spectrum of values. The application might further include one or more markers that serve to define boundaries of one or more ranges within the spectrum. By allowing a user to move the markers (through manipulation of the markers using a mouse, typing values for the markers, and/or the like), the interface can allow the user to quickly and easily define different ranges of values and/or to view defined ranges. In an aspect, a marker (and/or an accompanying indicator) may be configured to indicate to the user whether the value represented by the marker falls within or outside the range bounded by the marker.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of graphically presenting information to a user, the method comprising:
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displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to graphically present information to a user by; displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable memory device comprising a set of instructions stored therein which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to graphically present information to a user by:
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displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification