Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-30
2001-08-07
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271863
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data processing systems, and more particularly, to an improved user graphical interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer programs that graphically display the results of a computation are well known to the prior art. For example, spread sheets will graph the results of a computation if the results are part of a spread sheet that stores the results in a column or row of a table. In this case, the user typically provides at least two columns or rows, one having the “x-values” of the graph and one having the “y-values” of the graph.
In general, the underlying computation has both dependent and independent variables, the former being generated from the latter and code specifying one or more computations. If the user is interested in the results of the computation for a single set of independent variable values, the spread sheet methodology is quite satisfactory. However, if the user wishes to explore the results for a number of different independent variable values, the spread sheet methodology is found to be less than optimal.
Consider the problem of providing a cash flow analysis and projection for a business on a monthly basis. The independent variables are typically the interest paid on funds in bank accounts, the amount of money coming into, or flowing out of, the business each month. The dependent variable in this case is the cash in the bank at the end of each month. The problem may be setup on a spread sheet with one column entry for each of the variables and a formula for computing the cash balance in the bank at the end of each month. The results for each month would be stored in one column of the spread sheet and would be automatically graphed each time a new independent variable value was inputted by the user. To explore the sensitivity of the cash flow to various assumptions about the independent variable, the user must type in a new value for one of the variables, print out the graph, type a second value for the variable, print out the graph, and so on. The graphs would then be compared with one another manually. This method of exploring the data is slow and error prone.
Broadly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved user interface for graphically exploring the results of a computation in an interactive manner.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method for exploring financial problems involving a number of accounting periods on a computer.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method for operating a digital computer to provide a display for inputting values needed in a computation and displaying the results of the computation. The method starts by displaying a graphical element on a computer screen, said graphical element being capable of representing the magnitude of one of the input values. The magnitude is changed by using a pointing device to manipulate a specified region on the graphical element. The computer monitors the graphical element for any change therein. Upon detecting such a change, the computer displays the results of the computation in a first graphical display in response to the detected change in the input value represented by the graphical element. The computer then returns to monitoring the graphical element for another change. In one embodiment of the present invention, the graphical elements are arranged to form a second graphical display.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4675147 (1987-06-01), Schaefer et al.
patent: 4847785 (1989-07-01), Stephens
patent: 4937743 (1990-06-01), Rassman et al.
patent: 5426723 (1995-06-01), Horsley
patent: 5553212 (1996-09-01), Etoh et al.
patent: 5555354 (1996-09-01), Strasnick et al.
Lotus Organizer 1.1, Lotus Development Corporation, 1993, pp. 25-32 and 94-97.*
Microsoft Project Version 4.0, Microsoft Corporation, 1994, screen printout pp. 1-9.*
Lawrence, “Going to Plan (project management)”, What Micro, Abstract, 12/1991.
Bose Supratik
Plucinski Tomasz Marek
Alive, Inc.
Hong Stephen S.
Ward Calvin B.
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