Abstract: The modular updating of visualizations is provided. Elements of a visualization (e.g., graphical representations of data series, axes, titles, etc.) are only updated within the visualization when the hierarchical data defining that element is changed, thus reducing the processing load on the system providing the visualization. According to an aspect, the changes in the data are accurately translated from an arbitrary hierarchy format into a normalized hierarchy format so that a data visualization platform modularly update the hierarchical data that defines the visualization. According to an aspect, modular updating of hierarchy data enables updating a visualization in pieces (i.e., modularly), such that portions of the visualization that are not affected by the change to the data are not updated and do not need to be recalculated for rendering.

Abstract: A data visualization platform architecture that enables building of a data visualization via a one-directional chain of separate stages is provided, wherein each stage has a simple input interface and output interface. The staging of the architecture enables the data visualization to be provisioned while using fewer system resources and for additional behaviors to be applied to the visualization. Such behaviors include: transforming data from an arbitrary format, modular updates to data visualizations, client-independent operation, reduced-cost updating and extension of the platform, reduced-cost animations, etc. Aspects of the data visualization platform streamline and optimize the performance of a computing device that provides a data visualization.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application.

Abstract: Performance optimization for reduced and bounded memory cost for data visualization is provided. Performance optimization comprises: data culling, geometry culling, and cloning of a visualization to a background thread for layout. The performance optimization leverages a data visualization architecture for building of a data visualization via a one-directional chain of separate stages, wherein data at each stage may be culled or privatized to reduce the amount of data, or simplify the nature of the data, to be processed in subsequent stages, thus improving overall system performance and user experience.

Abstract: A data visualization platform architecture that enables building of a data visualization via a one-directional chain of separate stages is provided, wherein each stage has a simple input interface and output interface. The staging of the architecture enables the data visualization to be provisioned while using fewer system resources and for additional behaviors to be applied to the visualization. Such behaviors include: transforming data from an arbitrary format, modular updates to data visualizations, client-independent operation, reduced-cost updating and extension of the platform, reduced-cost animations, etc. Aspects of the data visualization platform streamline and optimize the performance of a computing device that provides a data visualization.

Abstract: The modular updating of visualizations is provided. Elements of a visualization (e.g., graphical representations of data series, axes, titles, etc.) are only updated within the visualization when the hierarchical data defining that element is changed, thus reducing the processing load on the system providing the visualization. According to an aspect, the changes in the data are accurately translated from an arbitrary hierarchy format into a normalized hierarchy format so that a data visualization platform modularly update the hierarchical data that defines the visualization. According to an aspect, modular updating of hierarchy data enables updating a visualization in pieces (i.e., modularly), such that portions of the visualization that are not affected by the change to the data are not updated and do not need to be recalculated for rendering.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application.

Abstract: Information in a diagram is logically structured using lists, containers, and callouts without requiring the diagram author to explicitly define a structure or map any diagram contents to a structure. Logical relationships are inferred based on actions associated with shapes, groupings, and attributes of shapes/groupings taken by the author. Feedback mechanisms are provided to communicate an underlying structure to the author. Intelligent behaviors are enabled to expose manipulation of diagrams based on their logical structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application.

Abstract: Information in a diagram is logically structured using lists, containers, and callouts without requiring the diagram author to explicitly define a structure or map any diagram contents to a structure. Logical relationships are inferred based on actions associated with shapes, groupings, and attributes of shapes/groupings taken by the author. Feedback mechanisms are provided to communicate an underlying structure to the author. Intelligent behaviors are enabled to expose manipulation of diagrams based on their logical structure.

Abstract: A method and system for auditing information technology used to handle financial statement accounts to secure sensitive financial information against the exploitation of vulnerabilities and ineffective configuration standards. By working with the client organization, an audit team evaluates the way the client organization controls sensitive IT systems. The audit team is able to assess the client organization's internal control processed and recommend improvements.

Abstract: Adornments are applied to shapes in a diagram that graphically displays data about those shapes. Once the adornments are applied to a shape, the information displayed is automatically updated as the underlying shape data changes. The appearance of the diagram is updated automatically when the user updates the data for their shapes. The set of adornments that may be applied to shapes is extensible. A mechanism and interface is defined for creating additional adornments that have customized looks or behaviors.

Abstract: A hand held electronic music reference machine includes a platform having a keyboard and a display for displaying text. A database removably or permanently mounted to the platform has a first memory portion storing, for each of a multiplicity of songs, selected lyrics and identification information including a title. The database has a second memory portion storing a segment from each of the songs. A user actuated selection component is operatively connected to the first memory portion of the database and to the display for permitting operator selection of a song from a list of song titles shown on the display and inducing display of the lyrics stored in the first memory portion for the selected song. In addition, a user actuated audio production element provided on the platform is operatively coupled to selection component and the database for enabling an audible reproduction of the segment stored in the second memory portion for the selected song.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the explosion limits of flammable gases having a combustion chamber, a conduit leading to the combustion chamber for conveying the sample stream of gas, a temperature control for maintaining the gas in the combustion chamber at a predetermined temperature and an ignition system for igniting the gas. The ignition system includes an exploding wire powered by a low internal resistance battery, thus enabling the testing of corrosive, flammable gases.