Producing a single-image view of a multi-image table using graphical representations of the table data

摘要

A method for operating a processor-controlled machine produces a single-image compressed view of a multi-image table by replacing the character image information in each cell of the multi-image table with a graphical representation of the information. Each cell in an original multi-image table is respectively paired with a source data value of a source data item stored in memory. In a multi-image table, the entire table image cannot be accommodated at one time in the display area of a display device because of the size of the cell regions required to represent the character image information; a machine user must scroll or navigate through portions of the table in order to view all of the data. In response to an image display request signal, the data represented directly as character image information in each cell of all portions of the multi-image table is replaced by an indirect, graphical representation of that data that compactly represents the source data values thereof. This compact, tabular graphical view of the data facilitates visual inspection and identification of patterns and trends in the data.