Method and system for dragging and plotting new data onto an embedded graph

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes determining if said selected new data and said second tabular chart are in row orientation, then said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart as new points in the same row if said selected new data is located in a horizontal adjoining quadrant to said bounding box quadrant and, alternatively, said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart in a new series if said selected new data is located in a vertical adjoining quadrant to said bounding box quadrant.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes prompting the user with queries to determine how to interpret said selected new data if said quadrant in which said selected new data is located is not adjoining said bounding box quadrant.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes designating said selected new data with a pointer control means on said computer, dragging said selected new data over said existing non-tabular chart, and releasing said pointer control means on said computer.

Claim 6

The method of claim 3, wherein said queries in said prompting step are presented to determine the interpretation of said selected new data if said selected new data has a different orientation than said second tabular chart.

Claim 7

The method of claim 3, wherein said queries in said prompting step are presented to determine the interpretation of said selected new data if said selected new data or said second tabular chart is discontiguous.

Claim 8

The method of claim 3, wherein said queries in said prompting step are presented to determine the interpretation of said selected new data if said selected new data is a series which does not have the same starting row or column as other data on said second tabular chart.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes determining if said selected new data and said second tabular chart are in column orientation, then said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart as new points in the same column if said selected new data is located in a vertical adjoining quadrant to said bounding box quadrant and, alternatively, said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart as a new series if said selected new data is located in a horizontal adjoining quadrant to said bounding box quadrant.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes determining if said selected new data is at least partially in said bounding box quadrant, is in the same row as data already existing in said second tabular chart, and does not intersect any data already existing in said second tabular chart, then said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart as new points in an existing series if said selected new data and said second tabular chart are in row orientation.

Claim 11

A computer system for graphically rendering a first non-tabular chart from existing data in a first tabular chart and for selecting new data from a second tabular chart, graphically dragging said selected new data from a second tabular chart and incorporating said selected new data into said existing first non-tubular chart, comprising: a CPU; a system memory including an operating system for controlling said CPU, an input/output driver and an application program; a display device coupled to said input/output driver and controlled by said CPU and system memory; pointer control means coupled to said input/output driver for selectively positioning a pointer on said display device to select said selected new data displayed by said application program on said display device from said second tabular chart to be incorporated into said first non-tabular chart; means in said application program for identifying the location of said first tabular chart and the location of said second tabular chart; and incorporating said selected new data into said first non-tabular chart based on the relative location of said first tabular chart and said second tabular chart.

Claim 12

A computer system for graphically rendering a first non-tabular chart from existing data in a first tabular chart and for selecting new data from a second tabular chart, graphically dragging said selected new data from a second tabular chart and incorporating said selected new data into said existing first non-tubular chart, comprising: a CPU; a system memory including an operating system for controlling said CPU, an input/output driver and an application program; a display device coupled to said input/output driver and controlled by said CPU and system memory; pointer control means coupled to said input/output driver for selectively positioning a pointer on said display device to select said selected new data displayed by said application program on said display device from said second tabular chart to be incorporated into said first non-tabular chart; means in said application program for identifying the location of said first tabular chart and the location of said second tabular chart; and incorporating said selected new data into said first non-tabular chart based on the relative location of said first tabular chart and said second tabular chart.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said application program is capable of first determining a bounding box of data originally existing in said first tabular chart, locating a quadrant in which said selected new data is located, and integrating said selected new data into said first non-tabular chart based upon said relative location of the bounding box and said quadrant.

Claim 14

The method of claim 1, wherein said integrating step includes determining if said selected new data is at least partially in said bounding box quadrant, is in the same column as data already existing in said second tabular chart, and does not intersect any data already existing in said second tabular chart, then said selected new data is charted on said existing non-tabular chart as new points in an existing series if said selected new data and said second tabular chart are in column orientation.