Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating – Electrical digital calculating computer – Having specialized output
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2004-09-21
Ingberg, Todd (Department: 2124)
Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating
Electrical digital calculating computer
Having specialized output
C708S131000, C708S200000, C382S187000, C382S189000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06795838
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates-to an apparatus and a method for transforming a mathematical expression by using a computer, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a throughput of a computer has been improved by leaps and bounds. With the improvement in throughput of a computer, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) by which an operator can visually grasp contents easily has been widespread as an interface between the operator and the computer. The GUI basically has such an advantage as that data created on a screen can be directly obtained by printout and the like. Therefore, a word processor software or a graphic drawing software has been recently produced by using the GUI.
With such a background, mathematical expressions are also created or edited by using the computer. Although only input of mathematical formulas or modification of inputted mathematical expressions are carried out in the prior art when creating numerical expressions, a software for automating transformation of mathematical expressions (for example, transposition of terms, development and others) has been produced in recent years. Such a technique is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,633 (Feb. 23, 1993) “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVELY MANIPULATING MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS.” Further, such a function is realized in a software “Graphing Calculator” incorporated in a computer of Apple Computer Inc.
Here, a technique relating to a conventional mathematical expression transformation using a computer will be described with reference to
FIGS. 11 and 12
.
Referring to
FIG. 11
, inputting means
100
is, e.g., a keyboard, and indicating means
102
is, for example, a mouse
130
illustrated in FIG.
12
. The inputting means
100
is mainly used when an operator inputs a mathematical formula in order to output mathematical expression data associated with the inputted mathematical formula. The indicating means
102
is mainly used when the operator indicates positions at which transformation is carried out, and it outputs the indicated mathematical expression which is a target of modification and a coordinate. Further, this means
102
outputs an indication signal for indicating the transformation processing. As shown in
FIG. 12
, a mouse
130
has a left button
132
and a right button
134
. Indication signals such as “Left Down”, “Left Up”, “Right Down” and “Right Up” are outputted by pressing or releasing the left button
132
and the right button
134
, respectively.
A computer
110
is, for example, a general personal computer. The computer
110
has processing means
112
and operating means
114
.
The processing means
112
creates display data based on mathematical expression data outputted from the inputting means
100
. Further, the operating means
114
produces a result of transformation mathematical expression based on the mathematical expression to be modified and the coordinate indicated by the indicating means
102
.
Displaying means
120
is a display unit such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) and displays display data produced by the processing means
112
.
The operation of the prior art technique having such a configuration will now be described hereinafter.
When the operator inputs a mathematical expression by the inputting means
100
, the expression data is first outputted from the inputting means
100
to the processing means
112
. The processing means
112
generates the display data from the inputted mathematical expression data and outputs it to the displaying means
120
. The displaying means
120
displays the display data outputted from the processing means
112
.
The operation when modifying (transforming) a specific position in the mathematical expression inputted by the operator will now be explained. In this case, the operator first specifies an element in the mathematical formula displayed on the display means
120
by operating the operating means
102
. Moving a cursor of the mouse
130
onto the specified element and pressing the left button
132
cause the indicating means
102
to output the mathematical formula to be operated and the indication signal “Left Down.”
When the mathematical expression to be operated and the indication signal “Left Down” are inputted from the indicating means
102
, the operating means
114
retains the mathematical formula to be operated (this retention of the mathematical formula will be referred to as “grab” hereinafter).
Subsequently, when the operator moves the cursor of the mouse
130
while keeping pressing the left button
132
, the indicating means
102
maintains output of the indication signal “Left Down” and outputs a coordinate which sequentially varies in accordance with movement of the cursor.
Upon input of the coordinate which sequentially varies and the indication signal “Left Down” from the indicating means
102
, the operating means
114
confirms that the indication signal “Left Down” is continuously inputted and moves the grabbed element (this processing will be referred to as “drag” hereinafter).
At last, when the operator drags to the coordinate for operation and thereafter releases the left button
132
on that coordinate, the indicating means
102
outputs the indication signal “Left Up.”
Upon receiving the indication signal “Left Up” from the indicating means
102
, the operating means
114
lets dragged element down onto that coordinate (this processing will be referred to as “drop” hereinafter).
Moreover, at this time, the operating means
114
generates a transformation result of the mathematical formula based on the dropped mathematical expression to be operated and the coordinate for the operation and outputs it to the processing means
112
. Here, the operating means
114
produces a transformation result in accordance with mathematical rules.
The processing means
112
then creates the display data based on the transformation result of the mathematical expression outputted from the operating means
114
and outputs it to the displaying means
120
. The displaying means
120
displays the display data.
The input and modification (transformation) of the mathematical expression have been carried out in the prior art.
However, considering transformation of the mathematical expression by the operator, it is very difficult for the operator to completely recognize the drop position for obtaining a desired transformation result. In the conventional technique, it is hard for the operator to previously know what the result will be unless the drag-and-drop is once carried out.
As a countermeasure, there is an example contrived to display a transformation result during drag. However, this example always restricts a transformation result displayed during drag to one and loses many transformation possibilities. Additionally, since this example sequentially substitutes the mathematical expression originally displayed during drag in accordance with a transformation result, it is impossible to predict what will change and how during drag and there is no guarantee that the operator can carry out a desired transformation.
That is, there is such a problem as that a desired result can not be readily obtained when transforming the mathematical expression in the conventional technique relating to the mathematical expression transformation using a computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method which can obtain a result desired by an operator and display only a final result after transforming a mathematical expression an arbitrary number of times, thereby facilitating derivation of a result of mathematical expression transformation, and a storage medium.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided with an apparatus for transforming a mathematical expression by using a computer, comprising: indicating means for outputting information relating to a position in the mathematical expression specified by a first indication
Do Chat C.
Ingberg Todd
NEC Corporation
Sughrue & Mion, PLLC
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for transforming mathematical... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for transforming mathematical..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for transforming mathematical... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3202610