Modifying a chart

1

MODIFYING A CHART

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Modifying a chart is a process for assisting a user to create or modify astandard chart into a customized chart using a series of visual chart elements representing howthe standard chart can be changed. In some situations, when creating a chart the user normallyhas a preconceived notion of how a chart should be displayed. For example, the user maydesire to create a chart for graphing various plotted points on an X and Y axis with each axislabeled. The user may also desire that each set of points be displayed in a different color andwith a name associated with each set. However, the user may not know how to create such achart because the user may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of the charting software, whichleads to frustration by the user. It is with respect to these and other considerations that thepresent invention has been made.

[0002] Prior art is listed below. Acknowledgment of the following references is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of theinvention disclosed herein.

[0003] EP 1628198 discloses a user interface for displaying a gallery offormatting options applicable to a selected object. An improved user interface is provided fordisplaying a gallery of images showing different formatting options combinations that may beapplied to a selected object. When a particular image is selected an associated formattingoptions combination is automatically applied to the selected object.

SUMMARY

[0004] Modifying a chart may be provided. This Summary is provided tointroduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in theDetailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit thescope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided forformatting a chart based on user preferences. The method receives a chart. The method alsoprovides a plurality of chart elements to the user pictorially, wherein each picture represents a 02428862\4-01 2 chart modification. Using the chart elements, the method modifies the formatting of thestandard chart according to user preferences. The modified document is then displayed to theuser including the user desired formatting.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a system is provided for modifying a chart including memory storage, a display device for viewing the modified chart, and aprocessing unit coupled to the memory storage for receiving a document. The system alsoprovides a plurality of chart elements to a user. The system also receives user input from theuser in relation to user preferences to the presented chart elements. Using the user preferredinput, the system modifies the standard chart. The modified chart is then displayed to the user.

[0007] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a computer-readablemedium is provided which stores a set of instructions which when executed performs amethod for modifying a chart by receiving a standard chart. The computer-readable mediumalso provides chart elements to a user for use with the standard chart. Using the chartelements, the user provides the computer-readable medium with user preferences for a chart.Using the user preferences, the computer-readable medium modifies the standard chart toreflect how the user desires the chart to be displayed. The modified chart is then displayed tothe user.

[0008] Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive.Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinationsdescribed in the detailed description. 02428862\4-01 3

DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. In thedrawings: [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a networked operating environment whereembodiments may be practiced; [0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system including a computing device; [0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for modifying a chart; [0013] FIG. 4 is a screen shot illustrating a user interface for use with the computing device of FIG. 2; and [0014] FIG. 5 is a screen shot further illustrating the user interface for use withthe computing device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following detailed description refers to the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and thefollowing description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of theinvention may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations arepossible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting,reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detaileddescription does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is definedby the appended claims.

[0016] Modifying a chart may be provided. Consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention, a method and system for pictorially presenting to a user chart elements 02428862\4-01 4 used to modify a standard chart is disclosed. Often when creating or editing a chart, a usermay be unable to determine how to alter a standard chart to present data in a desired format,which leads to frustration by the user. Accordingly, if the user is provided with a pictorialrepresentation of how to modify a chart, the user may more readily utilize all chartingcapabilities to create a desired chart.

[0017] An embodiment consistent with the invention may include a system formodifying a chart. The system may comprise a memory storage and a processing unit coupledto the memory storage. The processing unit may be operative to receive a standard chart andprovide a plurality of chart elements for use with the standard chart. The processing unit mayalso be operative to receive input from the user regarding charting preferences and modify thestandard chart to reflect the user’s charting preferences. The system may use a display deviceto display the modified chart to the user.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a networked system 100 is illustrated whereexample embodiments may be implemented. The networked system 100 may include a server102, a server 104 which manages a database 106, a document 108 which may be created,edited and displayed using a desktop computer 112, and a laptop computer 114 that may beused to create, edit and display chart 116.

[0019] The networked environment 100 may transmit and receive data to andfrom other computing devices such as the server 102, the desktop computer 112, and thelaptop computer 114. Various types of data may be created, edited and processed within achart associated with document 108 and chart 116. Exchanged data may include, for example,graphs, scheduling information, mathematical calculations or the like. Furthermore,networked environment 100 may transmit or receive data to a storage system 106, which is 02428862\4-01 5 managed by server 104. Other computing devices may participate in this networked system aswell, and devices such as the desktop computer 112 may be used as a standalone device.

[0020] Computing devices connected to the networked environment 100 maycommunicate over network(s) 110. Network(s) 110 may include one or more networks. Thenetwork(s) 110 may include a secure network such as an enterprise network, or an unsecurenetwork such as a wireless open network. By way of example, and not limitation, thenetwork(s) may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system including a computing device200, which may reside in server 102, server 104, desktop computer 112, and laptop computer114. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, any suitable combination of hardware,software, or firmware may be used to implement a memory storage and processing unit. Forexample, the memory storage and processing unit may be implemented with computing device200 or any of the other computing devices in combination with computing device 200. Theaforementioned system, device, and processors are examples and other systems, devices, andprocessors may comprise the aforementioned memory storage and processing unit, consistentwith embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the computing device 200 may comprise anoperating environment for an associated system. The system may operate in otherenvironments and is not limited to computing device 200.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, a system consistent with an embodiment ofthe invention may include a computing device, such as computing device 200. In a basicconfiguration, computing device 200 may include at least one processing unit 202 and asystem memory 204. Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, systemmemory 204 may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile (e.g. random access memory 02428862\4-01 6 (RAM)), non-volatile (e.g. read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, or any combination.System memory 204 may include operating system 205, one or more programming modules206, and may include a program data 207. Operating system 205, for example, may besuitable for controlling computing device 200’s operation. In one embodiment, programmingmodules 206 may include a document management application 219 for receiving a documentor chart. Programming modules 206 may include a chart formatting display application 220for visually providing chart modifying elements to a user. Furthermore, embodiments of theinvention may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, orany other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system. Thisbasic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 2 by those components within a dashed line 208.

[0023] Computing device 200 may have additional features or functionality.For example, computing device 200 may also include additional data storage devices(removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape.Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 2 by a removable storage 209 and a non-removable storage 210. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage ofinformation, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. System memory 204, removable storage 209, and non-removable storage 210 areall computer storage media examples (i.e. memory storage.) Computer storage media mayinclude, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable read-only memory(EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store informationand which can be accessed by computing device 200. Any such computer storage media may 02428862\4-01 7 be part of device 200. Computing device 200 may also employ input device(s) 212 such as akeyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device, a touch input device, etc. Output device(s)214 such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. The aforementioneddevices are examples and others may be used.

[0024] Computing device 200 may also contain a communication connection216 that may allow device 200 to communicate with other computing devices, such as overnetwork 110 in a distributed computing environment, for example, an intranet or the Internet.Communication connection 216 is one example of communication media. Communicationmedia may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal”may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner asto encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. Theterm computer readable media as used herein may include both storage media andcommunication media.

[0025] As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may bestored in system memory 204, including operating system 205. While executing on processingunit 202, programming modules 206 may perform processes including, for example, one ormore method 300’s stages as described below. The aforementioned process is an example,and processing unit 202 may perform other processes. Other programming modules that maybe used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include electronic mailand contacts applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database 02428862\4-01 8 applications, slide presentation applications, drawing or computer-aided application programs,etc.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in amethod 300 consistent with an embodiment of the invention for modifying a chart usingcomputing device 200 of FIG. 2. Ways to implement the stages of method 300 will bedescribed in greater detail below. Method 300 may begin at starting block 305 and proceed tostage 310 where computing device 200 may receive a chart. Once the chart is received, themethod 300 proceeds to stage 315 where computing device 200 may provide chart elementsvisually to a user for use in tailoring the chart. For example, the user may be presented with aribbon toolbar having a chart element for selecting grid lines. Next, at stage 320, thecomputing device 200 may receive chart preference input from the user based on the presentedchart elements. For example, the user may desire to create a chart having an X and Y axiswith titles for displaying speed versus time.

[0027] Next, at stage 325, the computing device 200 may modify the standardchart using the user preferred chart elements. At stage 330, the computing device 200 maydisplay the modified chart to the user.

[0028] Thus, the user is provided with visual representations of how a standardchart may be modified for use by the user. Upon selection by the user, the computing device200 modifies the standard chart based on the selected chart elements. Accordingly, a user maymore fully utilize charting capabilities to tailor standard charts to the user’s preference.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user interface 400 for use in conjunctionwith the computing device 200, according to one embodiment. The user interface 400includes a chart ribbon toolbar 402. Within the chart ribbon toolbar 402 are displayed a seriesof chart element gallery commands 404 for use by a user to modify a standard chart, for 02428862\4-01 9 example, a chart title tab. Also, within the chart ribbon toolbar 402 resides a series of artobjects 406 for use by the user to add and edit drawing elements, text and pictures. Inaddition, the chart ribbon toolbar 402 provides the user with tooltips 408 for use by the user toreceive help on chart formatting. Accordingly, the user is presented with a chart ribbontoolbar 402 having visual chart elements for showing how the user may modify the standardchart.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary chart gallery structure 500 for use inconjunction with the chart ribbon toolbar 402, according to one embodiment. For instance,upon selecting a chart element gallery command 502, a gallery 504 representing possiblemodifications associated with a chart element (Axis Labels) may be presented to the user. Forexample, the gallery 504 presents the user with an option to modify a horizontal (X) Axis title,a vertical (Y) Axis title and depth (Z) Axis title. If the user selects, for example, the option tomodify the horizontal (X) Axis title, the user is presented with a set of visual representationsof how the horizontal (X) Axis title could be modified in a second stage gallery 506.Accordingly, the user may desire to place the title for the X Axis below the axis by selectingchart element 510. If the user does not see the desired option to modify the X Axis, the usermay select a more selections option to display further options to modify the X Axis title.Thus, the user may utilize a plurality of galleries associated with a variety of chart elementgallery commands, for example, Titles, Legends, Data Labels, Gridlines, Axes, Moreelements, or the like.

[0031] Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, modifying achart may be provided for modifying a standard chart to a user’s desired preferences. Chartelements used to modify the standard chart are presented to the user in a visual display toreduce confusion by the user on how a chart may be modified. Consistent with embodiments 02428862\4-01 10 of the present invention, the chart formatting display application may reside in the computingdevice 200, a server connected to computing device 200, or both the computing device 200and server connected to computing device 200.

[0032] Generally, consistent with embodiments of the invention, programmodules may include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types ofstructures that may perform particular tasks or that may implement particular abstract datatypes. Moreover, embodiments of the invention may be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0033] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be practiced in anelectrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronicchips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containingelectronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments of the invention may also be practicedusing other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND,OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantumtechnologies. In addition, embodiments of the invention may be practiced within a generalpurpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention, for example, may be implemented as acomputer process (method), a computing system, or as an article of manufacture, such as acomputer program product or computer readable media. The computer program product may 02428862\4-01 11 be a computer storage media readable by a computer system and encoding a computerprogram of instructions for executing a computer process. The computer program productmay also be a propagated signal on a carrier readable by a computing system and encoding acomputer program of instructions for executing a computer process. Accordingly, the presentinvention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, residentsoftware, micro-code, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the present invention may takethe form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storagemedium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the mediumfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. A computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device.

[0035] The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, forexample but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (a non-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium mayinclude the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program isprinted, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of thepaper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 02428862\4-01 12 [0036] Embodiments of the present invention, for example, are describedabove with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems,and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Thefunctions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as show in any flowchart. For5 example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrentlyor the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality/acts involved.

[0037] While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have10 been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums,data can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such assecondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave fromthe Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosed methods’ stages may bemodified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deleting stages,15 without departing from the invention. 02428862\4-01