Patent US6812926B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6812926B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Displaying data containing outlying data items
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2002-02-26
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Granted: 2004-11-02
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Expires: 2022-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Multiple data items having at least one outlying data item are displayed so as to avoid obscuring the display of non-outlying data items. In this manner, a graphical representation of multiple data items such as, e.g., a bar graph is made more useful. A threshold value is used for determining whether each data item is an outlier. Each data item that is an outlier is graphically represented in modified form to indicate that it is not displayed at the same scale as non-outlying data items. Multiple outlying data items can be represented as images scaled with regard to other outlying data items.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Rugge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/20; G06T11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: automatically determining an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images sized to a common linear scale; representing each outlier data item as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale; and determining whether there are at least three data items; wherein the comparing and the representing each outlier data item steps are only performed if there are at least three data items; and wherein, if there are less than three data items, all data items are represented as images sized to the common linear scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: automatically determining an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images sized to a common linear scale; representing each outlier data item as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale; and determining whether there are at least three data items; wherein the comparing and the representing each outlier data item steps are only performed if there are at least three data items; and wherein, if there are less than three data items, all data items are represented as images sized to the common linear scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising flagging each data item determined to be an outlier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the median of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the median of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a modified image has a size equal to a maximum image size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein an outlier data item is represented as a modified image having a size equal to a maximum image size, and wherein the non-outlier data item having the largest magnitude is represented as an image having a size equal to a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item, and not associating call-out legends with images corresponding to non-outlier data items.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each image comprises a bar in a bar graph, and wherein each modified image comprises a bar with a break therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; determining whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size; representing each outlier data item as a modified image if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size; and representing each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
169 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; determining whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size; representing each outlier data item as a modified image if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size; and representing each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the predetermined relation comprises the state of being less than a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
136 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; and representing each outlier data item as a modified image, wherein each outlier data item is represented as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
An automated method of graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; and representing each outlier data item as a modified image, wherein each outlier data item is represented as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
173 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier; determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items determining whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size; representing each outlier data item as a modified image if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size; and representing each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
173 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier; determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items determining whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size; representing each outlier data item as a modified image if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size; and representing each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined relation comprises the state of being less than a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier: automatically determining an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images sized to a common linear scale; representing each outlier data item as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale; and determining whether there are at least three data items; wherein the comparing and the representing each outlier data item steps are only performed if there are at least three data items; and wherein, if there are less than three data items, all data items are represented as images sized to the common linear scale.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier: automatically determining an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images sized to a common linear scale; representing each outlier data item as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale; and determining whether there are at least three data items; wherein the comparing and the representing each outlier data item steps are only performed if there are at least three data items; and wherein, if there are less than three data items, all data items are represented as images sized to the common linear scale.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of flagging each data item determined to be an outlier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the median of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the median of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a modified image has a size equal to a maximum image size.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein an outlier data item is represented as a modified image having a size equal to a maximum image size, and wherein the non-outlier data item having the largest magnitude is represented as an image having a size equal to a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of associating a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , having further computer-executable instructions for performing the step of associating a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item, and not associating call-out legends with images corresponding to non-outlier data items.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein each image comprises a bar in a bar graph, and wherein each modified image comprises a bar with a break therein.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the process is further configured to flag each data item determined to be an outlier.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier; determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; and representing each outlier data item as a modified image, wherein each outlier data item is represented as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: storing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier; determining a threshold value for the data items; comparing the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier; representing non-outlier data items as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items; and representing each outlier data item as a modified image, wherein each outlier data item is represented as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory. automatically determine an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images sized to a common linear scale, represent each outlier data item on the display as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale, determine whether there are at least three data items, compare the magnitude of each data item to the threshold value only if there are at least three data items, represent each outlier data item as a modified image only if there are at least three data items, and represent all of the data items as images sized to the common linear scale if there are less than three data items.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory. automatically determine an outlier threshold value, such that representation of both over-threshold magnitudes and under-threshold magnitudes using a single linear scale would reduce visual differences between under-threshold magnitudes below a predetermined level, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images sized to a common linear scale, represent each outlier data item on the display as a modified image not sized to the common linear scale, determine whether there are at least three data items, compare the magnitude of each data item to the threshold value only if there are at least three data items, represent each outlier data item as a modified image only if there are at least three data items, and represent all of the data items as images sized to the common linear scale if there are less than three data items.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the median of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the median of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the threshold value comprises a multiple of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the threshold value comprises the sum of the mean of the magnitudes of the data items and a second number.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor is configured to represent an outlier data item as a modified image having a size equal to a maximum image size.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor is configured: to represent an outlier data item as a modified image having a size equal to a maximum image size, and to represent the non-outlier data item having the largest magnitude as an image having a size equal to a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to associate a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein each image comprises a bar in a bar graph, and wherein each modified image comprises a bar with a break therein.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to associate a call-out legend with a modified image to indicate the magnitude of the corresponding outlier data item, and not associating call-out legends with images corresponding to non-outlier data items.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory, determine a threshold value for the data items, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items, determine whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size, represent each outlier data item as a modified image the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size, and represent each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory, determine a threshold value for the data items, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items, determine whether the size of an image modification bears a predetermined relation to a maximum image size, represent each outlier data item as a modified image the size of the image modification for the outlier data item bears the predetermined relation to the maximum image size, and represent each outlier data item as though it was a non-outlier data item if the size of the image modification for the outlier data item does not bear the predetermined relation to the maximum image size.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 40 , wherein the predetermined relation comprises the state of being less than a designated percentage of the maximum image size.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory, determine a threshold value for the data items, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items, and represent each outlier data item on the display as a modified image, wherein the processor is configured to represent each outlier data item as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for graphically representing a plurality of data items, wherein each data item has a numerically quantifiable magnitude and at least one data item is an outlier, comprising: a display; a memory; and a processor configured to: access the data items stored in the memory, determine a threshold value for the data items, compare the magnitude of each data item with the threshold value to determine if each of the data items is an outlier, represent non-outlier data items on the display as images having relative sizes with proportions having substantially the same relative ratios as the magnitudes of the non-outlier data items, and represent each outlier data item on the display as a modified image, wherein the processor is configured to represent each outlier data item as a modified image with a size adjusted in relation to the magnitudes of other outlier data items, and wherein outlier data items having different values are represented as modified images of differing sizes.
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