Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for accessing multidimensional data

US6317750A · kind A · utility

283Cited by
12References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1998
Grant dateNov 13, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99944
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Retrieving multidimensional data from a data source and displaying the data in a familiar and pre-existing user interface automatically propagates user-created formulas thereby eliminating the need for users to re-enter formulas. A data representation of the multidimensional data is sent to a query processor which creates row and column structures. These structures are manipulated based on a user action, such as zoom-in, and a multidimensional data output tree showing a hierarchy of the multidimensional data. Also created is a blueprint containing instructions on insertions and deletions to be carried out by the program associated with the pre-existing user interface, such as a spreadsheet program. Once the blueprint is interpreted by the program, typically through a data representation manipulator or common spreadsheet layer, the user interface is configured to accommodate the returned multidimensional data. Once the user interface is populated with the data, the program, such as the spreadsheet program, adjusts the user-created formula cell designations to reflect the new configuration.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.