Patent Publication Number: US-2015074127-A1

Title: Creating Visualizations from Data in Electronic Documents

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Productivity software applications are often utilized for generating graphics (e.g., “infographics”) from user-provided data. Currently however, the process of creating graphics that represent user-provided data is a labor and time intensive task requiring, among other things, performing data analytics operations for running through large information or data sets in order to identify a single statement for representing as a data visualization (e.g., an infographic composed of icons, charts, typography and factoids). It is with respect to these considerations and others that the various embodiments of the present invention have been made. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Embodiments are provided for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents. One or more facts may be parsed from an electronic document by a computing device. The one or more facts may consist of a human readable sentence. A search may then be performed for a graphic (e.g., an icon) based on the one or more facts. The computing device may then generate a data visualization including the one or more facts and the graphic (e.g., an infographic). The generated data visualization may then be displayed in the electronic document. 
     These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a network architecture for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a created visualization from data in an electronic document, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a user interface which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a simplified block diagram of a computing device with which various embodiments may be practiced; 
         FIG. 11A  is a simplified block diagram of a mobile computing device with which various embodiments may be practiced; 
         FIG. 11B  is a simplified block diagram of a mobile computing device with which various embodiments may be practiced; and 
         FIG. 12  is a simplified block diagram of a distributed computing system in which various embodiments may be practiced. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are provided for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents. One or more facts may be parsed from an electronic document by a computing device. The one or more facts may consist of a human readable sentence. A search may then be performed for a graphic (e.g., an icon) based on the one or more facts. The computing device may then generate a data visualization including the one or more facts and the graphic (e.g., an infographic). The generated data visualization may then be displayed in the electronic document. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a network architecture for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance with various embodiments. The network architecture includes a computing device  2  which is in communication with a database  70  over a network  4  which may include a local network or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). In accordance with an embodiment, the computing device  10  may comprise a desktop or mobile computing device (e.g., a tablet, laptop computing device or smartphone) which is utilized executing one or more application programs such as the application  20 . The computing device  2  may further comprise one or more electronic documents  10 . As will be described in greater detail herein, the application  20  may be configured to generate data visualizations  14  from electronic document data (e.g., facts  12 ). It should be understood that the facts  12  may include human readable sentences. The computing device  2  may also be in communication with icon service  30  which stores icons  35 . As will be described in greater detail herein, the application  20  may search for and retrieve the facts  12  and one or more of the icons  35  corresponding to the facts  12 , and further generate data visualizations (e.g., infographics) from the search results. In accordance with some embodiments, the application  20  may comprise productivity application software which may include, but is not limited to, word processing software, presentation graphics software, spreadsheet software and diagramming software. For example, the application  20  may comprise one or more of the following software applications: the WORD word processing software, POWERPOINT presentation graphics software, EXCEL spreadsheet software and VISIO diagramming software from MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned software applications may comprise individual application programs or alternatively, may be incorporated into a suite of applications such as the OFFICE application program suite from MICROSOFT CORPORATION. In accordance with other embodiments, the application  20  may alternatively comprise a service, such as a web service engine. In these embodiments, the service may be utilized to search for and retrieve the facts  12  and one or more of the icons  35  corresponding to the facts  12 , and further generate a data visualization (e.g., an infographic, chart or factoid) from the search results. It should be appreciated that, in accordance with some embodiments, the generated data visualization may also comprise other types of graphics such as SMARTART graphics which are provided by MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. An illustrative service which may be utilized in accordance with these embodiments may include the BING web search engine provided by MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein may also be practiced in conjunction with other application programs and web services and further, are not limited to any particular application service. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the icons  35  may comprise a preset group of editable and formatted diagrams. The icons  35  may also be configured to map and automatically resize added text for a best fit. It should be understood, that in accordance with an embodiment, the data visualizations  14  may comprise information graphics (or “infographics”) which may include, without limitation, graphic visual representations of information, data and knowledge for the presentation of information. In particular, the data visualizations  14  described herein, may comprise a combination of the facts  12  and the icons (or graphics)  35 . 
     The database  70  may comprise an information repository (such as an encyclopedia) from which the application  20  executing on the computing device  2  may retrieve the facts  12  for use in generating data visualizations. In accordance with an embodiment, the database  70  may comprise an online encyclopedia or other data source or reference which provides a summary of information from one or more branches of knowledge. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram  200  showing a created visualization from data in an electronic document, in accordance an embodiment. The diagram  200  includes a set of facts  210  (i.e., human readable data) and an infographic  220  created therefrom. In particular, and as will be described in greater detail below, the infographic  220  may be generated from the facts  210  by the application  20  parsing the facts  210  and searching for a graphic or icon corresponding to the parsed facts. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the facts  210  describe the length and weight of sloths. Accordingly, the application  20  may retrieve (e.g., from the icon service  30 ) a graphic corresponding to a sloth and insert corresponding facts (i.e., parsed from the facts  210 ) associated with length and weight, respectively. It should be understood that the aforementioned length and weight measures may alternatively be retrieved from graphics which already contain abstract concept of length and weight, respectively. 
       FIG. 3  is a user interface  300  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  300  includes a ribbon  305  corresponding to a spreadsheet which may be generated by the application  20 . It should be understood that the user interface  300  is illustrative only and that some of the above-described components, such as the ribbon  305  may be optional in accordance with various embodiments. The user interface  300  further includes a set of facts  310  (i.e., human readable data comprising facts  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D) associated with the state of Alaska. In some embodiments, the set of facts  310  may be copied from a data repository (e.g., an online encyclopedia) and inserted (e.g., using Paste user control  307 ) into the spreadsheet in the user interface  300 . The user interface  300  further includes an infographic  320  which may be generated by the application  20  from the fact  310 A comparing the size of the state of Alaska with respect to the state of Texas. In particular, the infographic  320  may be generated from the fact  310 A by parsing the fact  310 A and searching for a graphic or icon corresponding to the parsed fact. 
       FIG. 4A  is a user interface  400  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  400  includes a ribbon  405  corresponding to a spreadsheet which may be generated by the application  20 . As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3 , the ribbon  405  in the user interface  400  may be optional in accordance with some embodiments. The user interface  400  further includes the set of facts  310  (comprising facts  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D) associated with the state of Alaska. In some embodiments, the set of facts  310  may be copied from a data repository (e.g., an online encyclopedia) and inserted (e.g., using Paste user control  407 ) into the spreadsheet in the user interface  400 . The user interface  400  further includes an infographic  420  which may be generated by the application  20  from the fact  310 B describing the number of potentially active volcanoes in the state of Alaska. In particular, the infographic  420  may be generated by from the fact  310 A by parsing the fact  310 A and searching for graphics or icons corresponding to the parsed fact. 
       FIG. 4B  shows the user interface  400  (without the optional ribbon  405 ) which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance another embodiment. The user interface  400  includes a display of icons  405 ,  410  and  415  for use in generating a data visualization (i.e., the infographic  420 ) which is based on the fact  310 B in the set of facts  310 . 
       FIG. 5  is a user interface  500  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  500  includes a ribbon  505  corresponding to a spreadsheet which may be generated by the application  20 . As discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the ribbon  505  in the user interface  500  may be optional in accordance with some embodiments. The user interface  500  further includes the set of facts  310  (comprising facts  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D) associated with the state of Alaska. In some embodiments, the set of facts  310  may be copied from a data repository (e.g., an online encyclopedia) and inserted (e.g., using Paste user control  507 ) into the spreadsheet in the user interface  500 . The user interface  500  further includes an infographic  520  which may be generated by the application  20  from the fact  310 C describing the number of glaciers in the state of Alaska. In particular, the infographic  520  may be generated by from the fact  310 C by parsing the fact  310 C and searching for graphics or icons corresponding to the parsed fact. It should be understood that in accordance with some embodiments, the generation of the chart shown in the infographic  520  may be preceded by the generation of a temporary data set by a spreadsheet application program utilized to generate the infographic  520 . 
       FIG. 6  is a user interface  600  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  600  includes a ribbon  605  corresponding to a spreadsheet which may be generated by the application  20 . As discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , the ribbon  605  in the user interface  600  may be optional in accordance with some embodiments. The user interface  600  further includes the set of facts  310  (comprising facts  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D) associated with the state of Alaska. In some embodiments, the set of facts  310  may be copied from a data repository (e.g., an online encyclopedia) and inserted (e.g., using Paste user control  607 ) into the spreadsheet in the user interface  600 . The user interface  600  further includes an infographic  620  which may be generated by the application  20  from the fact  310 D describing the percentage of the population in the state of Alaska residing in the city of Anchorage. In particular, the infographic  620  may be generated by from the fact  310 D by parsing the fact  310 D and searching for graphics or icons corresponding to an associated abstract concept (i.e., a metropolis icon for representing the population of a municipality). 
       FIG. 7  is a user interface  700  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  700  shows presentation slides  710 ,  720 ,  730  and  740 , each of which corresponds to the set of facts  310  (comprising facts  310 A,  310 B,  310 C and  310 D) associated with the state of Alaska. The user interface  700  also includes a composition  750  of infographics created from the aforementioned facts. In particular, and in accordance with an embodiment, a slideshow comprising a set of facts may be converted into an infographic compilation by parsing an entire electronic document for a set of facts, creating graphics for each fact and then merging the facts into a composition (e.g., the composition  750 ). Thus, it should be appreciated that the composition  750  may act as a “summary” graphic for an entire slide presentation. 
       FIG. 8  is a user interface  800  which may be utilized for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. The user interface  800  shows a gallery comprising infographics  810 ,  820 ,  830  and  840  as well as a composition  850  created from infographics  810  and  840 . In accordance with an embodiment, infographics generated for a collection of facts may be selected from a gallery for merging into a composition. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a routine  900  for creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, in accordance an embodiment. When reading the discussion of the routines presented herein, it should be appreciated that the logical operations of various embodiments of the present invention are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logical circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations illustrated in  FIG. 9  and making up the various embodiments described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts or modules. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices, acts and modules may be implemented in software, in hardware, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within the claims set forth herein. 
     The routine  900  begins at operation  905 , where the application  20  executing on the computing device  10 , may parse one or more of the facts  12  from an electronic document (i.e., the electronic document  10 ). In particular, the application  20  may utilize natural language processing to parse the facts  12  retrieved into the electronic document from the database  70  into a human readable form. It should be appreciated that the facts  12  may be retrieved utilizing a number of methods. For example, the facts  12  may be retrieved by copying facts (i.e., from one or more documents) from the database  70  and inserting the facts into the electronic document  10 . In some embodiments, the application  20  may utilize a natural language processor to retrieve the facts  12  from a user&#39;s speech. Alternatively, the application  20  may be configured to provide a template for the user to type in information (e.g., sentences, factoids, etc.) according to a specific format so that the information may be parsed quickly by the application  20 . 
     From operation  905 , the routine  900  continues to operation  910 , where the application  20  executing on the computing device  10 , may search for a graphic or icon based on the facts  12  parsed at operation  905 . For example, the application  20  may search the icon service  30  to retrieve one or more of the icons  35  which correspond to the facts  12 . 
     From operation  910 , the routine  900  continues to operation  915 , where the application  20  executing on the computing device  10 , may generate a data visualization (e.g., an infographic) which includes the facts  12  and the graphic or icon retrieved at operation  910 . In accordance with an embodiment, the application  20  may be configured to automatically generate one or more temporary data sets in generating the data visualization. It should also be appreciated that the application  20  may generate the data visualization utilizing a number of methods. For example, in accordance with some embodiments, the application  20  may be configured to automatically (i.e., utilizing an algorithm) determine a graphic or icon from a set of options which best corresponds with the facts  12 . An algorithm which may utilized for performing the aforementioned determination is described in related patent application U.S. Ser. No. 13/272,522 entitled “Suggesting Alternate Data Mappings for Charts,” filed on Oct. 13, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. In accordance with other embodiments, the application  20  may be configured to present a plurality of graphic or icon options to a user who may then select a preferred graphic or icon for use in generating a data visualization based on the facts  12 . 
     From operation  915 , the routine  900  continues to operation  920 , where the application  20  executing on the computing device  10 , may display the data visualization generated at operation  915 . In accordance with some embodiments, the data visualization may be displayed inline in an electronic document (such as a spreadsheet). In accordance with other embodiments, the data visualization may be displayed in a gallery. From operation  920 , the routine  900  then ends. 
       FIGS. 10-12  and the associated descriptions provide a discussion of a variety of operating environments in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. However, the devices and systems illustrated and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 10-12  are for purposes of example and illustration and are not limiting of a vast number of computing device configurations that may be utilized for practicing embodiments of the invention, described herein. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating example physical components of a computing device  1000  with which various embodiments may be practiced. In a basic configuration, the computing device  1000  may include at least one processing unit  1002  and a system memory  1004 . Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, system memory  1004  may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile (e.g. random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (e.g. read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, or any combination. System memory  1004  may include an operating system  1005  and application  1007 . Operating system  1005 , for example, may be suitable for controlling the computing device  1000 &#39;s operation and, in accordance with an embodiment, may comprise the WINDOWS operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. The application  1007 , for example, may comprise functionality for performing routines including, for example, creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, as described above with respect to the operations in routine  900  of  FIG. 9 . In accordance with an embodiment, the application  1007  may comprise a productivity software application (or alternatively, a productivity software application suite) for creating, viewing and editing charts such as the EXCEL spreadsheet application program from MICROSOFT CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash. It should be understood however, that the application  1007  may also comprise other types of productivity software applications including, but not limited to, word processing applications, presentation applications and note-taking/collaboration applications. It should further be understood, however, that the embodiments described herein may also be practiced in conjunction with other application programs and further, is not limited to any particular application or system. 
     The computing device  1000  may have additional features or functionality. For example, the computing device  1000  may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, solid state storage devices (“SSD”), flash memory or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in  FIG. 10  by a removable storage  1009  and a non-removable storage  1010 . The computing device  1000  may also have input device(s)  1012  such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device (e.g., a microphone), a touch input device for receiving gestures, an accelerometer or rotational sensor, etc. Output device(s)  1014  such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. The aforementioned devices are examples and others may be used. The computing device  1000  may include one or more communication connections  1016  allowing communications with other computing devices  1018 . Examples of suitable communication connections  1016  include, but are not limited to, RF transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver circuitry; universal serial bus (USB), parallel, and/or serial ports. 
     Furthermore, various embodiments may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements or microprocessors. For example, various embodiments may be practiced via a system-on-a-chip (“SOC”) where each or many of the components illustrated in  FIG. 10  may be integrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such an SOC device may include one or more processing units, graphics units, communications units, system virtualization units and various application functionality all of which are integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. When operating via an SOC, the functionality, described herein may operate via application-specific logic integrated with other components of the computing device/system  1000  on the single integrated circuit (chip). Embodiments may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems. 
     The term computer readable media as used herein may include computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, or program modules. The system memory  1004 , the removable storage device  1009 , and the non-removable storage device  1010  are all computer storage media examples (i.e., memory storage.) Computer storage media may include 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 or other magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacture which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by the computing device  1000 . Any such computer storage media may be part of the computing device  1000 . Computer storage media does not include a carrier wave or other propagated or modulated data signal. 
     Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, 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 as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a suitable mobile computing environment, for example, a mobile computing device  1150  which may include, without limitation, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, and the like, with which various embodiments may be practiced. With reference to  FIG. 11A , an example mobile computing device  1150  for implementing the embodiments is illustrated. In a basic configuration, mobile computing device  1150  is a handheld computer having both input elements and output elements. Input elements may include touch screen display  1125  and input buttons  1110  that allow the user to enter information into mobile computing device  1150 . Mobile computing device  1150  may also incorporate an optional side input element  1120  allowing further user input. Optional side input element  1120  may be a rotary switch, a button, or any other type of manual input element. In alternative embodiments, mobile computing device  1150  may incorporate more or less input elements. In yet another alternative embodiment, the mobile computing device is a portable telephone system, such as a cellular phone having display  1125  and input buttons  1110 . Mobile computing device  1150  may also include an optional keypad  1105 . Optional keypad  1105  may be a physical keypad or a “soft” keypad generated on the touch screen display. 
     Mobile computing device  1150  incorporates output elements, such as display  1125 , which can display a graphical user interface (GUI). Other output elements include speaker  1130  and LED  1180 . Additionally, mobile computing device  1150  may incorporate a vibration module (not shown), which causes mobile computing device  1150  to vibrate to notify the user of an event. In yet another embodiment, mobile computing device  1150  may incorporate a headphone jack (not shown) for providing another means of providing output signals. 
     Although described herein in combination with mobile computing device  1150 , in alternative embodiments may be used in combination with any number of computer systems, such as in desktop environments, laptop or notebook computer systems, multiprocessor systems, micro-processor based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, mini computers, main frame computers and the like. Various embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network in a distributed computing environment; programs may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. To summarize, any computer system having a plurality of environment sensors, a plurality of output elements to provide notifications to a user and a plurality of notification event types may incorporate the various embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 11B  is a block diagram illustrating components of a mobile computing device used in one embodiment, such as the mobile computing device  1150  shown in  FIG. 11A . That is, mobile computing device  1150  can incorporate a system  1102  to implement some embodiments. For example, system  1102  can be used in implementing a “smartphone” that can run one or more applications similar to those of a desktop or notebook computer. In some embodiments, the system  1102  is integrated as a computing device, such as an integrated personal digital assistant (PDA) and wireless phone. 
     Application  1167  may be loaded into memory  1162  and run on or in association with an operating system  1164 . The system  1102  also includes non-volatile storage  1168  within memory the  1162 . Non-volatile storage  1168  may be used to store persistent information that should not be lost if system  1102  is powered down. The application  1167  may use and store information in the non-volatile storage  1168 . The application  1167 , for example, may comprise functionality for performing routines including, for example, creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, as described above with respect to the operations in routine  900  of  FIG. 9 . A synchronization application (not shown) also resides on system  1102  and is programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronization application resident on a host computer to keep the information stored in the non-volatile storage  1168  synchronized with corresponding information stored at the host computer. As should be appreciated, other applications may also be loaded into the memory  1162  and run on the mobile computing device  1150 . 
     The system  1102  has a power supply  1170 , which may be implemented as one or more batteries. The power supply  1170  might further include an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements or recharges the batteries. 
     The system  1102  may also include a radio  1172  (i.e., radio interface layer) that performs the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequency communications. The radio  1172  facilitates wireless connectivity between the system  1102  and the “outside world,” via a communications carrier or service provider. Transmissions to and from the radio  1172  are conducted under control of OS  1164 . In other words, communications received by the radio  1172  may be disseminated to the application  1167  via OS  1164 , and vice versa. 
     The radio  1172  allows the system  1102  to communicate with other computing devices, such as over a network. The radio  1172  is one example of communication media. The embodiment of the system  1102  is shown with two types of notification output devices: the LED  1180  that can be used to provide visual notifications and an audio interface  1174  that can be used with speaker  1130  to provide audio notifications. These devices may be directly coupled to the power supply  1170  so that when activated, they remain on for a duration dictated by the notification mechanism even though processor  1160  and other components might shut down for conserving battery power. The LED  1180  may be programmed to remain on indefinitely until the user takes action to indicate the powered-on status of the device. The audio interface  1174  is used to provide audible signals to and receive audible signals from the user. For example, in addition to being coupled to speaker  1130 , the audio interface  1174  may also be coupled to a microphone (not shown) to receive audible (e.g., voice) input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation. In accordance with embodiments, the microphone may also serve as an audio sensor to facilitate control of notifications. The system  1102  may further include a video interface  1176  that enables an operation of on-board camera  1140  to record still images, video streams, and the like. 
     A mobile computing device implementing the system  1102  may have additional features or functionality. For example, the device may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in  FIG. 11B  by storage  1168 . 
     Data/information generated or captured by the mobile computing device  1150  and stored via the system  1102  may be stored locally on the mobile computing device  1150 , as described above, or the data may be stored on any number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via the radio  1172  or via a wired connection between the mobile computing device  1150  and a separate computing device associated with the mobile computing device  1150 , for example, a server computer in a distributed computing network such as the Internet. As should be appreciated such data/information may be accessed via the mobile computing device  1150  via the radio  1172  or via a distributed computing network. Similarly, such data/information may be readily transferred between computing devices for storage and use according to well-known data/information transfer and storage means, including electronic mail and collaborative data/information sharing systems. 
       FIG. 12  is a simplified block diagram of a distributed computing system in which various embodiments may be practiced. The distributed computing system may include number of client devices such as a computing device  1203 , a tablet computing device  1205  and a mobile computing device  1210 . The client devices  1203 ,  1205  and  1210  may be in communication with a distributed computing network  1215  (e.g., the Internet). A server  1220  is in communication with the client devices  1203 ,  1205  and  1210  over the network  1215 . The server  1220  may store application  1200  which may be perform routines including, for example, creating visualizations from data in electronic documents, as described above with respect to the operations in routine  900  of  FIG. 9 . Content developed, interacted with, or edited in association with the application  1200  may be stored in different communication channels or other storage types. For example, various documents may be stored using a directory service  1222 , a web portal  1224 , a mailbox service  1226 , an instant messaging store  1228 , or a social networking site  1230 . 
     The application  1200  may use any of these types of systems or the like for enabling data utilization, as described herein. The server  1220  may provide the proximity application  1200  to clients. As one example, the server  1220  may be a web server providing the application  1200  over the web. The server  1220  may provide the application  1200  over the web to clients through the network  1215 . By way of example, the computing device  10  may be implemented as the computing device  1203  and embodied in a personal computer, the tablet computing device  1205  and/or the mobile computing device  1210  (e.g., a smart phone). Any of these embodiments of the computing devices  1203 ,  1205  and  1210  may obtain content from the store  1216 . 
     Various embodiments are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flow diagram. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. 
     The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claimed invention.