Functional visualization of spreadsheets
US7206997B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F40/18
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for providing a functional visualization of a spreadsheet. The method includes correlating spreadsheet cells with both data entities and calculation entities in an influence diagram, and then automatically updating the entities in the influence diagram in response to changes made to the spreadsheet, or automatically updating the spreadsheet in response to changes made to the entities in the influence diagram. The method includes identifying one or more cells in a spreadsheet as a data cell or a calculation cell, and then identifying corresponding data entities and calculation entities in the influence diagram. The entities in the influence diagram can have predetermined attributes (color, shape, images, etc.) depending on their function. Next, the method includes positioning the entities in the influence diagram by employing user interaction to configure the entities in a visually pleasing manner, or positioning the entities by employing an automatic design layout algorithm to determine the configuration of the entities. Once the equivalent influence diagram is generated for the particular spreadsheet, the method detects any change in the cells of the spreadsheet or any ch…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.