METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING AN IMAGE INSTEAD OF DATA

• US 20070150389A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Snapkauskas, Darius, Levin, David, Bentsen, Brett, Aamodt, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,429,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

Displaying graphical indicators, instead of data, based on user-defined conditions. The user can specify conditions for displaying graphical indicators instead of actual data by specifying a test, values, and an image. The graphical indicators can be pre-assigned images that are dynamically applied based on the underlying text or numeric data values. Graphical indicators allow the user to visually represent data types or categories with graphics, based on the user'"'"'s conditions. Different conditions can be specified for a given data field and each condition can be associated with a particular graphical indicator. Prioritized processing of data conditions allow for complex control of which indicator will be displayed to visually represent the data. When the underlying data in a field changes, the criteria can be reapplied and the field dynamically updated to the appropriate indicator.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A method in a computing device for conveying non-graphic financial data graphically, the method comprising:

receiving from a user a plurality of financial conditions, each financial condition specifying when to display an associated image;

receiving non-graphic financial data that includes fields with values; and

for fields of the non-graphic financial data,

applying the financial conditions by

determining whether the value of the field satisfies a financial condition; and

when the value of the field does satisfy a financial condition, displaying the image associated with the satisfied financial condition;

when the value of the field changes, reapplying the financial conditions to dynamically update the display for the field.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the applying includes when the value of the field does not satisfy a financial condition, displaying the value of the field.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the financial conditions are applied in priority order such that image associated with the first satisfied financial condition is displayed.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein a financial condition is associated with a data type of a field.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the financial data is project scheduling data and the financial conditions relate to whether a project is a head of, on track, or behind schedule.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the non-graphic financial data is numeric data.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein the non-graphic financial data is text data.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein when a user selects a displayed image of a field, displaying the value of the field.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the user selects a displayed image by hovering a mouse pointer over the displayed image.

29. A computing device for conveying non-graphic financial data graphically, comprising:

a data structure that includes a plurality of user-defined financial conditions, each financial condition specifying when to display an associated image;

a program module that receives non-graphic financial data that includes fields with values; and

a program module that applies the financial conditions to the fields of the non-graphic financial data, by

determining whether the value of the field satisfies a financial condition; and

when the value of the field does satisfy a financial condition, displaying the image associated with the satisfied condition.

30. The computing device of claim 29 wherein the program module that applies includes, when the value of the field does not satisfy a financial condition, displaying the value of the field;

31. The computing device of claim 30 including a program module that, when the value of the field changes, reapplies the financial conditions to dynamically update the display for the field.

32. The computing device of claim 30 wherein the financial conditions are applied in priority order such that image associated with the first satisfied financial condition is displayed.

33. The computing device of claim 29 wherein the financial data is project scheduling data and the financial conditions relate to whether a project is a head of, on track, or behind schedule.

34. The computing device of claim 29 wherein when a user selects a displayed image of a field, displaying the value of the field.

35. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computing device to represent non-graphic financial data graphically, by method comprising:

providing a plurality of user-defined financial conditions, each financial condition having a priority and specifying when to display an associated image;

receiving non-graphic financial data that includes fields with values; and

for fields of the non-graphic financial data,

applying the financial conditions by

determining whether the value of the field satisfies a financial condition; and

when the value of the field does satisfy a financial condition, displaying the image associated with the financial condition of the highest priority that is satisfied.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35 including when the value of the field changes, reapplying the financial conditions to dynamically update the display for the field.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 when the value of the field changes, reapplying the financial conditions to dynamically update the display for the field.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein the financial data is project scheduling data and the financial conditions relate to whether a project is a head of, on track, or behind schedule.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein when a user selects a displayed image of a field, displaying the value of the field.