Systems and methods for representing and editing multi-dimensional data

Abstract

Systems and methods for representing, editing, and operating on multi-dimensional data efficiently, compactly, and in real-time with an intuitive graphical user interface without requiring extensive user training are provided. The multi-dimensional data consist of data pertaining to the allocation of labor, equipment, and material to project cost centers in business, educational, non-profit, and governmental organizations. The multi-dimensional data are stored in a multi-dimensional database that is accessed by the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface enables users to manipulate a large amount of data in a limited display area.

1 - 50 . (canceled)  
   
   
       51 . A tree data structure to represent multi-dimensional data pertaining to the allocation of labor, equipment, and material to project cost centers in business, educational, non-profit, and governmental organizations, the tree data structure comprising: 
 a tree root representing an event;    a tree node associated with the tree root representing an event context;    a tree node associated with the tree root representing a date;    a tree node associated with the tree root representing a time; and    a tree node associated with the tree root representing a quantity.    
   
   
       52 . The tree data structure of  claim 51 , wherein the event context comprises a set of reference variables.  
   
   
       53 . The tree data structure of  claim 52 , wherein the set of reference variables comprises one or more of: an item variable; a class variable; a work variable; a reference variable; and a unit variable.  
   
   
       54 . The tree data structure of  claim 53 , wherein the item variable comprises one or more of: a labor item; an equipment item; a material item; and an expense item.  
   
   
       55 . The tree data structure of  claim 53 , wherein the class variable comprises one or more of: a labor classification; an equipment classification; a material classification; and an expense classification.  
   
   
       56 . The tree data structure of  claim 55 , wherein the labor classification comprises a sub-item.  
   
   
       57 . The tree data structure of  claim 56 , wherein the sub-item comprises one or more of: an equipment item; a material item; and an expense item.  
   
   
       58 . The tree data structure of  claim 55 , wherein a labor classification is associated with a labor item.  
   
   
       59 . The tree data structure of  claim 55 , wherein an equipment classification is associated with an equipment item.  
   
   
       60 . The tree data structure of  claim 55 , wherein a material classification is associated with a material item.  
   
   
       61 . The tree data structure of  claim 55 , wherein an expense classification is associated with an expense item.  
   
   
       62 . A graphical user interface to represent, edit, and operate on multi-dimensional data pertaining to the allocation of labor, equipment, and material to project cost centers in business, educational, non-profit, and governmental organizations, the graphical user interface comprising: 
 a display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context;    a display area to represent dates associated with the event context;    a display area to represent quantities associated with the event context; and    a display area to represent totals for quantities associated with the context.    
   
   
       63 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the event context comprises a set of reference variables.  
   
   
       64 . The graphical user interface of  claim 63 , wherein the set of reference variables comprises one or more of: an item variable; a class variable; a work variable; a reference variable; and a unit variable.  
   
   
       65 . The graphical user interface of  claim 64 , wherein the item variable comprises one or more of: a labor item; an equipment item; a material item; and an expense item.  
   
   
       66 . The graphical user interface of  claim 64 , wherein the class variable comprises one or more of: a labor classification; an equipment classification; a material classification; and an expense classification.  
   
   
       67 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a vertically expandable display area for representing, editing, and operating on a first reference variable associated with multiple values of a second reference variable.  
   
   
       68 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a display column to represent an item variable.  
   
   
       69 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a display column to represent a class variable.  
   
   
       70 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a display column to represent a work variable.  
   
   
       71 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a display column to represent a reference variable.  
   
   
       72 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context comprises a display column to represent a unit variable.  
   
   
       73 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context constrains a labor classification to a labor item.  
   
   
       74 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context constrains an equipment classification to an equipment item.  
   
   
       75 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context constrains a material classification to a material item.  
   
   
       76 . The graphical user interface of  claim 62 , wherein the display area to represent the multi-dimensional data with an event context constrains an expense classification to an expense item.  
   
   
       77 . The graphical user interface of  claim 68 , wherein the display column to represent an item variable constrains the item variable to distinct values displayed in the display column.  
   
   
       78 . The graphical user interface of  claim 69 , wherein the display column to represent a class variable constrains the class variable to distinct values displayed in the display column.