Abstract: Mechanisms for allowing a user to scroll through a displayed viewer. Upon detected using input while the viewer is being displayed, the user input is identified is being a scrolling gesture. In response, a scrolling control is activated at an interior portion of the displayed viewer. In addition, when the user navigates the cursor to within a scrollable display, the cursor is adorned with a scrolling context emblem that represents scrolling options available for that viewer.

Abstract: The composition of multiple analytical visual composition models into a single whole. A model importation mechanism allows a model author or other user import all or portions of other models. By so doing, the author might cause the following to be supplemented or changed in an existing analytics-driven model: 1) additional model input data as well to generate a supplemented set of model input data; 2) additional bindings between the supplemental set of model input data to the model parameters; 3) additional model parameters to generate a supplemental set of model parameters; and 4) additional analytical relationships between the supplemental set of model parameters. Accordingly, the author may borrow from models by other authors, allowing for effective collaboration in order to construct increasingly complex models.

Abstract: Visual items may each be constructed and placed in position using logic defined by a view component corresponding to each visual item, where that logic may depend on one or more values populated into parameter(s) of the view component. Some of those parameter values may correspond to known model parameter values. Others, however, may have been solved for using a model that defines analytical relationships between the model parameters. In one embodiment, which of the model parameters are known, and which are unknown, may not be predetermined. Accordingly, a solver might be prepared for multiple solve operation paths even using a single model. The view composition process may be entirely data-driven, and may include a mechanism for canonicalizing input data, and binding canonicalized input data to the model parameters. The view composition framework may operate the same regardless of the domain.

Abstract: A two-dimensional canvas onto which heterogenic objects of various types may be arranged side-by-side. Each type of object has an associated set of control(s), the control(s) at least partially differing from one type to the next. The two-dimensional canvas is fixed in one dimension, but extensible in a second dimension. The canvas may be displayed in miniaturized for with a view box superimposed upon the canvas. As the view box is moved over the miniaturized canvas, the enlarged editable portion of the corresponding canvas is displayed in an edit view. The canvas may also display clusters of objects that are arranged in dashboards. In that case, the display might include a dashboard review area that allows a user to select the appropriate dashboard to display.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for hierarchically presenting tabular data. Embodiments of the invention utilize out-denting and/or color coding to organize and present tabular data to a user so that comparisons across multiple levels of data are possible while maintaining hierarchical organization of a model. That is, the columnar structure of tables can be maintained to allow rich cross-column comparison within various levels of nesting. Further, scaling is significantly increased since nesting has a reduced (and potentially no) impact on column alignment.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for flexible creation of auto-layout compliant diagrams. Visual feedback is provided to a user to assist the user with adding, deleting, and moving visual elements in diagrams in compliance with auto-layout constraints. Visual feedback is provided prior to adding, deleting, and moving a visual element so a user has an indication of what diagram's layout is to be after adding, deleting, or moving the visual element. Visual feedback can include shape guides that correspond to auto-layout compliant locations where a visual element can be added to a diagram. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a user experience that approaches the flexibility of free form editing but retains the benefits of auto-layout mechanisms.

Abstract: Expanding and contracting a display screen container. Data is stored in a computer readable medium. The data represents a screen container such as a graphical desktop user interface displayable to a user on a computer display of a computing device. Data is stored representing artifacts, including one or more application graphical user interface artifacts for applications that are instantiated on the computing device. Information is stored specifying locations where each of the artifacts should be graphically located in the screen container. The graphical size of screen container is determined by the locations of the artifacts. Based on user input, a portion of the screen container is displayed to the user on the computer display of the computing device. The screen container may be expanded or contracted based on opening or closing graphical user interface artifacts, adding or removing artifacts, or repositioning artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for flexibly editing heterogeneous documents. Different types of documents can be organized on a universal and dynamically adjustable workspace canvas in a manner that indicates relationships between the documents. The workspace canvas is configured to host various different editors simultaneously for editing the different types of documents. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate editing different typed documents within the same context and in a manner that maintains relationships between documents.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for the facilitating the layout and composition of graphics. Embodiments of the present invention allow declarative input for creation and modification of layout compositions and also allows adjustments or modifications made to layout compositions. Layout compositions may be created, adjusted, and modified by input through a markup language or by user-commands and gestures. Relationships and associations among nodes and among line segments and connections between nodes which are embodied within a composition or created by an auto layout are preserved both during and after adjustments and modifications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system generates a view of entities associated with varying data types for presentation on a generic viewer. The entities and data types have relationships as defined in a corresponding schema. The schema is stored as data in a repository with the data types. The computer system receives an edit request configured to change various selected entities, where each entity has an associated data type, queries the repository to determine various properties of the selected entities corresponding to the received edit request including the data type, and determines, based on the schema, that the edit is valid based on relationship information stored in the schema. The computer system also sends the validated edit information to the generic viewer for presentation. The generic viewer has no prior knowledge of how to handle the selected entities and corresponding data types.

Abstract: In one embodiment, receives a user gesture indicating an edit to be performed on a target object within a model. The model is based on an underlying schema including constraints that define relationships between objects in the model, including the target object. The computer system determines that at least one of the constraints in the underlying schema is associated with the indicated edit of the target object and determines that the edit is valid. The valid edit complies with the constraints associated with the indicated edit of the target object. In another embodiment, a computer system receives a user gesture indicating an edit, determines that a constraint in the underlying schema is associated with the indicated edit, and provides an indication of a valid model edit to a computer user.

Abstract: Displaying a calendar. The method may be practiced, for example, in a computing environment. The method includes creating a calendar layout template as one or more data structures on a computer readable medium. The calendar layout template is independent of specific dates and schedule instances. A schedule of time and/or date specific events is created as one or more data structures on a computer readable medium. The schedule is alterable by user interaction. The calendar layout template is merged with the schedule of time and/or date specific events to create a calendar view in a dynamic fashion such that when the schedule is altered, altered information is merged with the calendar layout template.

Abstract: Displaying a calendar. A method may be practiced, for example, in a computing environment. The method includes obtaining a culture neutral calendar layout template as one or more data structures on a computer readable medium. Culture context information is referenced. Culture information stored as one or more data structures on a computer readable medium is selected based on the culture context. The culture neutral calendar layout template is merged with the culture information to create a culture specific calendar view.