XML Template Gantt Chart Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for generating charts, particularly Gantt charts, require extensive programming and result in dissimilar formatting across different application programs, necessitating individual data conversion and limiting adaptation or exchange without significant programming efforts.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an XML template and basic layout to produce charts, allowing for the definition of columns and addition of rows with task information, enabling standardized and customizable Gantt chart generation across various applications with reduced programming requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each application program processes and converts data into its own XML description with custom XSL transformation, then the chart can be generated with application-specific formatting, but the programming requirements increase and formatting consistency across applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standard XML template as an intermediary between the application program and the chart display. The template contains pre-defined column structures and formatting instructions, allowing application programs to simply provide data without needing to implement custom conversion logic. This mediator enables both application-specific data input and consistent chart formatting simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The XML template serves multiple functions: it defines the chart structure, specifies formatting rules, and provides a standardized interface for data input. By making the template universal and reusable across different application programs, the system eliminates the need for each application to create its own specialized chart generation code while maintaining the ability to handle various application-specific data formats.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each application program uses its own custom chart generation method, then the chart can reflect application-specific requirements, but formatting consistency and adaptability across applications deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The XML template allows different parts of the chart to have different qualities - the overall structure and formatting remain consistent across applications, while individual columns or rows can be customized to match application-specific requirements. The template's modular structure enables localized customization without affecting the overall formatting consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive programming is used to generate charts with custom formatting, then the chart can be optimized for specific application needs, but the ease of operation and time required for chart generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The XML template is prepared in advance with all necessary formatting instructions, column definitions, and styling rules already embedded. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for programmers to write and maintain complex chart generation code, while still achieving precise and consistent formatting results. The template handles all formatting details before the actual chart generation occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for a computer implemented method of producing a chart, such as, for example, a Gantt chart. The method can include providing a template containing a definition of at least one column of the chart and inserting the template into a basic layout to form a document. An instruction to add a row to the chart is received. The instruction can include at least one type of information pertaining to the first task to be included on the chart contained in the document. The method further includes adding the row pertaining to the first task contained in the document. In one example, the template is an XML template, the basic layout is an XML basic layout and the document is an XML document.