Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for outputting a table, to be output on a printer or a screen, wherein the table contains a number of columns. From a prescribed width of the table onward, steps are automatically performed in order to be able to render the table even when the prescribed width is exceeded.  
           [0003]    By way of example, the prescribed width is determined by the format which is valid at the time the method is carried out; for example, portrait format or landscape format.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    In the program Word 2000, the following steps are automatically performed in order to prevent the prescribed width from being exceeded or to be able to render the table even when the prescribed width is exceeded:  
           [0006]    an attempt is first made to reduce the column width of other columns without making any break within a column;  
           [0007]    if further characters are input, rows which contain spaces between words are broken up within columns; and  
           [0008]    if the two measures mentioned first have been exhausted, the table is automatically extended beyond the edge of the sheet.  
           [0009]    Characters situated over the edge are not output on the screen or on a printer. The table is not automatically extended, however, if the user has explicitly prescribed the width of the table.  
           [0010]    In the program Excel 2000 from Microsoft, in the event of the output width being exceeded for the selected format, part of the table is automatically pushed onto another page and is rendered or output there.  
           [0011]    It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to specify an improved method for outputting a table in which the table is rendered clearly. In addition, an associated apparatus, program, and data medium and data network message containing the program are specified.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention is based on consideration of the fact that, in particular instances of application, the known measures make a table more difficult to read. This is because, if too many pages are used for outputting the table, particularly in the row direction, clarity is quickly lost for a user. Secondly, it is often undesirable to break up rows within a column.  
           [0013]    For this reason, in the inventive method, a width value is prescribed which stipulates the permissible output width for the columns. On the basis of the width value, at least one column is ascertained whose unshortened rendering would exceed the width value. For this column, a number of characters to be rendered is stipulated which is less than the number of characters in the row having the most characters in this column. When the table is output, only the number of characters stipulated by the number of characters to be rendered is then output. The width of the table can thus be reduced in a simple and very clear manner because use of a number of pages to be placed next to one another is prevented and because the row structure of the table is not changed. The characters not rendered upon output can often still be deduced when reading the table. This is particularly true if the user works with similar data on a daily basis and/or only one or two characters are missing at the end of a word.  
           [0014]    The clear rendering of the table when using the inventive method simplifies evaluation in comparison with tables which have been output using the previously known measures, particularly because the clarity is increased.  
           [0015]    In an embodiment of the inventive method, the number of characters to be suppressed upon output is determined. Next, a test is carried out for each column in accordance with a prescribed order to determine whether the width value has been exceeded. If such a column is ascertained, the number of characters to be rendered is reduced, before other columns are tested, only by a value which is less than the number of characters to be suppressed upon output. This measure permits the characters which are to be suppressed to be distributed over a number of columns in a simple manner. This allows the user to deduce the content of the columns better than if all the characters to be suppressed are suppressed in only one column or in very few columns. This is because the user would, in this case, have to deduce more characters in the shortened column.  
           [0016]    In an embodiment, after a test pass, a test is carried out for all columns to determine whether the number of characters to be rendered has been changed in at least one column. In the event of a change, the test pass is repeated using the same width value. This measure allows the number of characters which are to be rendered to be changed for columns having different widths in the same manner during a test pass. This is because the widths of all columns whose width is greater than the prescribed width value are altered.  
           [0017]    In a subsequent embodiment, the width value is decremented, i.e., reduced by the value one, during a test pass if there is no change. The test pass is then repeated. In one alternative, the width value is reduced by a value which is different than one. This allows columns above the respectively valid width value to be shortened in stages in the same way.  
           [0018]    In another embodiment, on the basis of the width of the table to be rendered, portrait or landscape format is selected taking into account the characters to be rendered. Portrait format is preferred because it is more common. Changing from portrait format to landscape format makes it possible to prevent a row in the table from needing to be rendered on a number of pages.  
           [0019]    In a further embodiment, the columns contain a column heading. The column heading is treated as a row of the column. This measure permits column headings which would ultimately determine the width of a column to be shortened upon rendering without shortening the rendering in the rest of the column. The development is used particularly when the column heading is much longer than the text noted in the column or the numerals noted in the column. The column headings are, thus, incorporated into the method for reducing the rendering. This can be done independently of the other rows in the columns. However, the rendering of the column headings can be shortened in the same way as that of the column content.  
           [0020]    In another embodiment, after the number of characters to be rendered has been stipulated for the columns, those column headings whose number of characters is greater than the number of characters to be rendered in the desired column are printed in a legend outside the table. Instead of the column headings, markers are preferably printed in the table; for example, column numbering. The markers are additionally arranged directly next to the column headings in the legend in order to make both the legend and, thus, the table easier to read.  
           [0021]    In a subsequent embodiment, a smaller number of characters to be rendered is stipulated for a column only if this does not suppress any numerals upon rendering. This is because the shortened rendering of numeral sequences results in incorrect numerical values which may differ from the original numerical values by orders of magnitude. In addition, missing numerals cannot be deduced. This measure requires that only characters and spaces can be eliminated upon shortened rendering, for example.  
           [0022]    The present invention also relates to a program for outputting a table. The program contains a command sequence whose execution by a processor carries out the inventive method or one of its developments. The aforementioned technical effects apply in turn.  
           [0023]    The present invention also relates to a data medium which stores the program. The data medium is, by way of example, a memory unit, e.g., a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, a diskette or a compact disc, commonly called a CD. Protection also covers a data network message which contains the program and is transmitted over a data network; for example, over the Internet.  
           [0024]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the Drawings. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 shows a printed table rendered in shortened form;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 2A to  2 C show method steps for preparing to print the table; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 shows method steps carried out when printing the table. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows a printed table  10  which is rendered in shortened form and contains five columns  12  to  20 . In a column heading row  22 , headings for the columns  12 ,  14  and  16  are printed; namely “NE Name” for the name of a network element, “EQN” for the address of the network element and “Port Type” for the type of interface used. In columns  18  and  20 , the column heading row  22  contains two markers “Col.4” and “Col.5,” where Col. is the abbreviation for column. The numerals 4 and 5 number the columns  18  and  20 . The effect achieved by the markers Col.4 and Col.5 is that the table  10  still can be printed on portrait format DIN A4. Five rows  24  to  32  of the table  10  have been printed below the column heading row  22 .  
         [0029]    A legend  40  has been printed above the table  10 . The legend  40  contains a legend heading  42  with the text “Legend for the columns”. Below the legend heading  42  are two legend rows  44  and  46 . The legend row  44  has the marker Col.4 printed in it. To the right of that, the original column heading for column  18  is specified, namely “VPI participants”, separated from the marker Col.4 by a colon. The legend row  46  has the marker Col.5 printed in it. To the right of that is the original column heading for row  20 , namely “VCI participants”, again separated by a colon.  
         [0030]    The table  10  was printed using the method explained below with reference to FIGS. 2A to  2 C and also to FIG. 3. The width value specified was the value ten, so that the rendering of rows wider than ten characters was first shortened. The column headings were regarded as part of the columns.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 2A to  2 C show method steps for preparing to print the table  10 . The method begins in a method step  100 . In a subsequent method step  102 , a type size for printing is stipulated. In a preliminary assessment, the character size is chosen within particular limits between a maximum size and a minimum size on the basis of the number of characters to be output per row without correction. The stipulated type size then applies for printing the table. The stipulated type size is also used in the test to determine whether portrait or landscape format needs to be printed, cf. method steps  106 ,  108  and  142 . By way of example, depending on the number of characters per row, 12 Pica are chosen as the type size for up to 100 characters, 11 Pica are chosen for 100 to 200 characters, and 10 Pica are chosen for more than 200 characters.  
         [0032]    In a method step  104 , the preset chosen for the current format is portrait format. In a subsequent method step  106 , a test is carried out to determine whether the table to be printed can be printed in portrait format. In this process, by way of example, the row having the greatest number of characters is ascertained for each column. The numbers of characters ascertained in this manner are added up. The sum is compared with a predetermined value which specifies the number of characters which can be printed next to one another in portrait format using the type size stipulated in method step  102 . If the table can be printed in portrait format, no further steps are carried out and the method is ended after the print job has been sent, as explained in more detail below. If, on the other hand, method step  106  establishes that the table cannot be printed in portrait format, a method step  108  immediately follows method step  106 . Method step  108  tests whether the table  10  can be printed in full in landscape format. If this is the case, a method step  110  immediately follows method step  108 .  
         [0033]    Method step  110  tests whether the overhang produced in portrait format is larger than a prescribed threshold value; of ten characters, for example. If this is the case, the method is continued in a method step  112  explained in more detail below.  
         [0034]    If, on the other hand, method step  108  establishes that the table cannot be printed in landscape format, an immediately subsequent method step  114  calculates the character difference between the required number of characters and the number of characters available in landscape format. The method is then continued in a method step  116 .  
         [0035]    If method step  110  establishes that the overhang is less than or equal to the prescribed threshold value, a method step  115  immediately following method step  110  ascertains the character difference between the characters required for printing the table and the available characters for portrait format, because it is necessary to print in portrait format despite the overhang. This likewise requires that the rendering of the table be shortened, however. Method step  115  is then followed immediately by method step  116 .  
         [0036]    In method step  116 , a width value is prescribed; e.g., the value ten or a larger value. By way of example, the width value is stored as a constant in a program whose execution runs the method steps shown in FIGS. 2A to  2 C.  
         [0037]    In a subsequent method step  118 , the first column of the table to be printed is chosen as the column to be processed, e.g., column 12, cf. FIG. 1. A subsequent method step  120  tests whether the column width of the current column is greater than the width prescribed by the width value in the case of unshortened printing. If this is the case, a method step  122  immediately following method step  120  tests whether the current column is a column for rendering numerals. If the current column contains no numerals, a method step  124  follows method step  122 . Method step  124  decrements, i.e., reduces by the value one, the number of characters to be printed for the current column. At the start of the method, the number of characters to be printed corresponds to the number of characters required for printing the column in full.  
         [0038]    In a subsequent method step  126 , the character difference is then decremented. A method step  128  notes that a change to the number of characters to be printed has been made in the current column pass.  
         [0039]    Next, a method step  130  tests whether the character difference has the value 0. If this is not the case, a method step  132  follows which tests whether the table to be printed has another column which has not yet been tested. Method step  132  is also carried out immediately after method step  120  if the width of the currently processed column is found to be less than or equal to the width value. If method step  122  establishes that the currently processed column contains numerals, then method step  132  immediately follows method step  122 .  
         [0040]    If method step  132  establishes that there are still other columns, a method step  134  chooses the column situated to the right of the current column as the current column. The method is then continued in method step  118 .  
         [0041]    The method is, thus, in a loop which includes method steps  120  to  134 . The loop including these method steps  120  to  134  is exited in method step  132  if all the columns in the table to be printed are found to have been processed. In this case, a method step  136  immediately follows method step  132 . Method step  136  tests whether the number of characters to be printed has been changed for at least one column in the last pass. This can be established using the note made in method step  128 . If changes have been made in the last pass, the method is continued in method step  118 . The method is again in the method loop which includes method steps  120  to  134 .  
         [0042]    If, on the other hand, method step  136  establishes that the number of characters to be printed has not been changed for any column in the last pass, a method step  138  follows immediately. Method step  138  reduces the width value by a prescribed value, e.g., by the value 5. The method is then continued in method step  118 . The method subsequently passes through the method loop including method steps  120  to  134  again.  
         [0043]    The loop which includes method steps  120  to  134  is also exited in method step  130  if the character difference is found to have the value 0. As such, the number of characters to be printed has been stipulated for the columns such that printing is possible on one page. Method step  130  is followed by a method step  140  if there is a character difference of 0.  
         [0044]    In method step  140 , the number of characters required for shortened rendering is recalculated. In this context, the number of characters required for printing is added over all the columns. In addition, spaces between the columns are included.  
         [0045]    A method step  142  tests whether the number of characters ascertained in method step  140  or the original number of characters from method step  102  can be printed in portrait format on one page in the event of a yes decision in method step  106  or  110 . If this is not the case, landscape format is chosen in a method step  144 . A method step  146  then sends the print job to a printer. Method step  146  is performed immediately after method step  142  if the number of characters ascertained in step  140  can be printed in portrait format. In this case, portrait format is used for printing. The method is ended in a method step  148 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 3 shows the method steps performed when printing a table; e.g., the table  10 . The method starts in a method step  200  by starting a printing routine when a print job is received.  
         [0047]    In a method step  202 , the printing routine checks whether the first page of a table is currently being printed. If this is not the case, method steps  218  and  219  print another page of the table and the method is ended in a method step  220 . If, on the other hand, method step  202  establishes that the first page of a table needs to be printed, then a test is carried out to determine whether a column legend needs to be inserted. To this end, a method step  204  immediately follows method step  202 . Method step  204  selects the first column of the table.  
         [0048]    A subsequent method step  206  ascertains the column name for the current column. The number of characters in the column name is determined and is compared with the number of characters to be printed. This number has been determined using the method explained above with reference to FIGS. 2A to  2 C. If the column name contains more characters than there are printing characters available for the column, a method step  208  follows method step  206 . Otherwise, the method is continued in a method step  214  explained below.  
         [0049]    Method step  208  uses a note to test whether a legend heading has already been printed. If this is not the case, a method step  210  prints the heading for the legend, cf. heading  42  in FIG. 1, for example. In addition, printing of the legend heading is noted. If the legend heading has already been printed, method step  210  is skipped. Next, a method step  212  prints the column number for the current column and the column name for this column in the next row, cf. legend row  44  in FIG. 1, during the fourth pass of the loop including method steps  206  to  216 .  
         [0050]    A method step  214  tests whether the table to be printed has further columns. If this is the case, a method step  216  chooses the column situated to the right of the current column as the current column. The method is then continued in method step  206 . The method is now in a loop which includes method steps  206  to  216 .  
         [0051]    The loop including method steps  206  to  216  is exited in method step  214  when all the columns have been processed. In this case, method step  214  is followed immediately by a method step  218 , in which the column heading row of the table is printed, cf. column heading row  22  in FIG. 1, for example. Markers are inserted for the column headings which have already been printed in the legend. In a subsequent method step  219 , the remaining rows of the table are printed. In this process, the columns stipulated using the method explained above with reference to FIGS. 2A to  2 C are output in shortened form. When further pages of the table are printed, the column heading row is output at the top of each page, cf. method step  218 . The method is then ended in a method step  220 .  
         [0052]    In another exemplary embodiment, the characters of the character set do not have the same width, but rather have different printing widths; i.e., a proportional script is used for printing. In this case, a similar method is carried out. However, method steps  102 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  114 ,  115 ,  126  and  130  refer to pixel numbers. Method steps  116  and  124  work unchanged with characters. Between method steps  124  and  126 , a method step is performed for ascertaining the number of pixels in the row direction of the character to be suppressed. In the method in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment, the printing width and not the number of characters is, thus, tested before the number of characters to be output is reduced.  
         [0053]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the hereafter appended claims.

Technology Category: 3