Patent ID: 6138130
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer-based data processing system suitable for performing analytical operations on complex data objects, said system being extensible to recognize and operate upon new data object types, said system comprising:visual presentation display means for displaying a visual presentation to a user, the visual presentation including:at least one cell matrix including columns, rows and cells, the cells being formed at intersections of the columns and the rows, wherein at least one cell contains a representation of a complex data object comprising reference information to data maintained in a data structure defined in an external computer system, said reference information incorporating characteristics of said externally stored data to enable the data processing system to perform operations on the complex data object; andat least one text edit field capable of receiving information pertaining to objects and formulas entered by a user through input means;first associating means for associating objects represented by a cell in the visual presentation and formulas received from a user with said cell;scanning means for scanning a formula and an object associated with said formula by the first associating means, said scanning means defining permissible operators that may be applied to said object by said formula, said scanning means ensuring that the formula conforms to a preferred cell reference syntax, said scanning means translating each formula not in conformity with such syntax into the preferred cell reference syntax so that the formula can be processed by the system;evaluating means for evaluating each formula associated with an object, wherein said evaluating means assigns a functional meaning to the operators in each formula in accordance with the object type of the object being operated upon by each formula, wherein at least one such operator is a polymorphic operator capable of assigning different functional meanings contingent on the type of data object being evaluated, said evaluating means further comprising:means for re-evaluating each formula if a value within the at least one object changes; andmeans for re-associating the result of each formula with each cell containing each formula operating on the at least one object whose value has changed;second associating means for associating a result produced by said evaluating means with each cell associated with each formula operating on the at least one object;representation producing means for producing at least one visual representation of at least one result produced by the evaluating means, said at least one visual representation being selectable by the user; andinstructing means for instructing the system to recognize new objects and new operators defined by a user.