US5704028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphics systems and method having data fields and shape placement control
Assignee: IGRAFX LLC
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Filing: 1994-12-21
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2014-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A computer graphics program executed by a processor (12) for generating a graphics chart on a computer display (26) are provided. The program includes instructions for controlling the placement of objects on the chart and for relating data to the objects in the chart. The program also includes instructions for generating cause and effect diagrams directly onto the computer display (26).
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Schanel
- 👤 II Gerald R. Hogsett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A computer graphics system for generating graphics charts on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of shapes in a chart on the display, means for maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart, means responsive to a move command for moving one of the shapes with respect to the stationary shapes in the chart, means for comparing the distance between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart, and means for setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is brought within a predetermined offset to a first distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer graphics system for generating graphics charts on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of shapes in a chart on the display, means for maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart, means responsive to a move command for moving one of the shapes with respect to the stationary shapes in the chart, means for comparing the distance between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart, and means for setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is brought within a predetermined offset to a first distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein the first distance comprises one of a horizontal distance from the at least one stationary shape and a vertical distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein the comparing means further comprises: means for determining a centerline for the at least one stationary shape; means for determining the difference between the centerline and the moving shape's edges; and means for recognizing when the difference between the centerline and the moving shape's edges is within the predetermined offset of the first distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein the release coordinates position the moving shape and the at least one stationary shape so as to share a common side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein the comparing means further comprises: means for determining coordinates for the moving shape's corners; means for determining coordinates for the at least one stationary shapes corners adjacent to the moving shape; and means for recognizing when the difference between the moving shape's corners and the at least one stationary shape is within the predetermined offset of the first distance.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
117 words
A method performed by a computer for controlling the placement of a shape on a graphics chart generated with the computer, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart; maintaining positioning coordinates for a moving shape with respect to the stationary shapes while the moving shape is moving in the chart; comparing the distance between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart; and setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is brought within a predetermined offset to a first distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method performed by a computer for controlling the placement of a shape on a graphics chart generated with the computer, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart; maintaining positioning coordinates for a moving shape with respect to the stationary shapes while the moving shape is moving in the chart; comparing the distance between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart; and setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is brought within a predetermined offset to a first distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the first distance comprises one of a horizontal distance from the at least one stationary shape and a vertical distance from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the comparing step further comprises the steps of: determining a centerline for the at least one stationary shape; determining the difference between the centerline and moving shape's edges; and recognizing when the difference between the centerline and the edges is within the predetermined offset of the first distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the release coordinates places the moving shape and the at least one stationary shape so as to share a common side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the comparing step further comprises: determining coordinates for the moving shape's corners; determining coordinates for the at least one stationary shapes corners adjacent to the moving shape; and recognizing when the difference between the moving shape's corners and the at least one stationary shape is within the predetermined offset of the first distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer graphics system for generating graphics charts on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of shapes in a chart on the display, means for maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart, means responsive to a move command for moving one of the shapes with respect to the stationary shapes in the chart, means for comparing the location between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart, means for determining when the coordinates for the moving shape coincide at least in part with the coordinates for at least one of the stationary shapes, and means for setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to the at least one stationary shape to align with a channel extending from the at least one stationary shape so that the moving shape aligns with the at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is released.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer graphics system for generating graphics charts on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of shapes in a chart on the display, means for maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart, means responsive to a move command for moving one of the shapes with respect to the stationary shapes in the chart, means for comparing the location between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart, means for determining when the coordinates for the moving shape coincide at least in part with the coordinates for at least one of the stationary shapes, and means for setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to the at least one stationary shape to align with a channel extending from the at least one stationary shape so that the moving shape aligns with the at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is released.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer graphics system of claim 11 wherein the channel extending from the at least one stationary shape extends in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
152 words
A method performed by a computer for controlling the placement of a shape on a graphics chart generated with the computer, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart; maintaining positioning coordinates for a moving shape with respect to the stationary shapes while the moving shape is moving in the chart; comparing the positioning coordinates between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart; determining when the coordinates for the moving shape coincide at least in part with the coordinates for at least one stationary shape; and setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to the at least one stationary shape to align with a channel extending from the at least one stationary shape so that the moving shape aligns with the at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is released.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
152 words
A method performed by a computer for controlling the placement of a shape on a graphics chart generated with the computer, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining positioning coordinates for each shape in the chart; maintaining positioning coordinates for a moving shape with respect to the stationary shapes while the moving shape is moving in the chart; comparing the positioning coordinates between each of the stationary shapes and the moving shape as the moving shape is moved in the chart; determining when the coordinates for the moving shape coincide at least in part with the coordinates for at least one stationary shape; and setting release coordinates for the moving shape with respect to the at least one stationary shape to align with a channel extending from the at least one stationary shape so that the moving shape aligns with the at least one stationary shape when the moving shape is released.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the channel extending from the at least one stationary shape extends in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction from the at least one stationary shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer graphics system for generating a cause and effect chart on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for generating a cause and effect chart template containing a plurality of cause lines and cause text on the display, and means for entering customized text onto the cause and effect chart template on the display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer graphics system for generating a cause and effect chart on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for generating a cause and effect chart template containing a plurality of cause lines and cause text on the display, and means for entering customized text onto the cause and effect chart template on the display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for adding cause lines to the chart.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for deleting at least one of cause lines and cause text from the chart.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for adding subcause lines to the chart.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for adding shapes to the chart.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for moving a cause line in the chart.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for moving a group of related cause lines in the chart and for redrawing the group of related cause lines at a destination in their original configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics system of claim 15 further comprising means for setting the length of related cause lines to a uniform length.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
55 words
A method performed by a computer for generating a cause and effect chart on a computer display, the method comprising the steps of: generating on the display a cause and effect chart template containing a plurality of cause lines and cause text; and displaying customized text entered directly into the cause and effect chart template.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
55 words
A method performed by a computer for generating a cause and effect chart on a computer display, the method comprising the steps of: generating on the display a cause and effect chart template containing a plurality of cause lines and cause text; and displaying customized text entered directly into the cause and effect chart template.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of adding additional cause lines and cause text to the chart responsive to a command.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of deleting cause lines and cause text from the chart responsive to a command.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of adding additional subcause lines to the chart responsive to a command.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of adding shapes to the chart responsive to a command.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of redrawing a group of related cause lines at a new position in the chart in their original configuration responsive to a command.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of controlling the length of related cause lines.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer graphics system for generating a graphics chart containing objects and data on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of objects on the chart, means for accepting data, and means for relating data for each object to the object.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer graphics system for generating a graphics chart containing objects and data on a computer display, the system comprising: a computer-readable medium; and a computer program encoded on the computer-readable medium, the computer program further comprising: means for placing a plurality of objects on the chart, means for accepting data, and means for relating data for each object to the object.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 30 wherein the objects comprise at least one of shapes and lines.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for displaying the data for each object with each object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for summarizing the data for all objects in a chart.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for linking the data of a plurality of related charts.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for setting preferences for the data that may be entered for each object in the chart.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for validating the data entered for given object against the preferences for the chart.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 30 further comprising means for performing mathematical operations on the data entered in the chart.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
49 words
A method performed by a computer for generating a computer graphics chart containing objects and data on a computer display, the method comprising the steps of: generating on the display a plurality of objects; receiving data for the chart; and relating the data for each object to the object.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
49 words
A method performed by a computer for generating a computer graphics chart containing objects and data on a computer display, the method comprising the steps of: generating on the display a plurality of objects; receiving data for the chart; and relating the data for each object to the object.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of displaying the data for each object with each object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the objects comprise at least one of shapes and lines.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of summarizing the data for all objects in a chart.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of linking the data for the objects of a plurality of related charts.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of setting preferences for the data that may be entered for each object in the chart.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of validating the data entered for a given object against the preferences for the chart.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of performing mathematical operations on the data entered in the chart.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer readable medium encoded with program instructions to execute, on a computer, the following steps: displaying a first shape and a second shape; maintaining a location for each shape; moving the first shape with respect to the second shape; comparing the location of the first shape to the location of the second shape; determining release coordinates for the first shape with respect to the second shape; and repositioning the first shape according to the release coordinates.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer readable medium encoded with program instructions to execute, on a computer, the following steps: displaying a first shape and a second shape; maintaining a location for each shape; moving the first shape with respect to the second shape; comparing the location of the first shape to the location of the second shape; determining release coordinates for the first shape with respect to the second shape; and repositioning the first shape according to the release coordinates.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
66 words
The computer readable medium of claim 46 wherein the comparing step further comprises: comparing a separation distance between a corner of the first shape and a corner of the second shape; and storing the release coordinates that position the first shape and the second shape so as to share a common side in response to the separation distance being within a predetermined snap together offset distance.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer readable medium of claim 47 wherein: the separation distance comprises one of a horizontal separation distance and a vertical separation distance; and the predetermined snap together offset distance comprises one of a horizontal snap together offset distance and a vertical snap together offset distance.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer readable medium of claim 46 wherein the comparing step further comprises: determining a channel extending from the second shape; and storing the release coordinates that position the first shape so as to align with the channel in response to the first shape entering the channel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable medium of claim 49 wherein the channel comprises one of a horizontal channel extending from the second shape and a vertical channel extending from the second shape.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer readable medium of claim 46 wherein the comparing step further comprises: determining a channel extending from the second shape; storing the release coordinates that position the first shape so as to align with the channel in response to the location of the first shape at least partly coinciding with the location of the second shape during the movement of the first shape.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable medium of claim 51 wherein the channel comprises one of a horizontal channel extending from the second shape and a vertical channel extending from the second shape.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
97 words
The computer readable medium of claim 46 wherein the comparing step further comprises: determining a first shape centerline; determining a second shape centerline; comparing spacing distances from the first shape centerline and an edge of the first shape to the second shape centerline; determining the spacing distance that is a closest match to a predetermined smart shape spacing distance; and storing the release coordinates that position the first shape with respect to the second shape at the predetermined smart shape spacing distance in response to the closest match being less than the predetermined smart shape spacing distance.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 53 wherein the first shape centerline comprises one of a horizontal first shape centerline and a vertical first shape centerline.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 53 wherein the second shape centerline comprises one of a horizontal second shape centerline and a vertical second shape centerline.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable medium of claim 53 wherein the predetermined smart shape spacing distance comprises one of a horizontal smart shape spacing distance and a vertical smart shape spacing distance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |