Abstract:
A method is provided to display a plurality of signals, on a display screen with an intuitive graphical interface, wherein a user has ability to monitor overall data from a single view. A plurality of signals having different frequencies and remaining in a complex relationship with each other may be visualized. Each signal may be displayed by using a symbol, wherein a quasi static signal is graphically depicted using a limit symbol while the dynamic signals are visualized using bar symbols. The symbols may be arranged horizontally, on multiple image planes, in close proximity to each other. A limit symbol may be positioned on the topmost image plane in such a way that if one bar reaches the limit symbol, the bar symbol is at least partially covered. The spatial relationship among the symbols is such that the user can easily determine if an actual signal output matches planned or scheduled output or if it does not exceed the total available capacity. A plurality of symbols may be allocated to correspond to a plurality of numeric values in such a way that numerical data directly corresponding to the graphical depiction is located in the same horizontal line as the symbols. Additionally, the user may be able to oversee the changes in signal in consecutive time segments.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates in general to the field of data display and, in particular, to methods for displaying a plurality of signals having different frequencies.  
       BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     The increasing availability of large amounts of complex data requires development of methods that would allow a user to deal effectively with the available information. A common problem faced by the user is information overload. Graphical depictions of computer-generated data aid users in their analysis and understanding of data. Graphical representation of data provides also an insight into important characteristics of the data.  
         [0003]     However, when illustrating these data characteristics, many of graphical display methods of the prior art introduce data clutter into the graphical data displays. As a result, a demand exists for a computer display technique applicable to a very wide range of fields that would be intuitive and clutter-free.  
         [0004]     An important issue associated with computer based graphical systems exists regarding the necessity of carefully managing the display screen space. Since it is difficult to display plurality of values and the relationships these values have towards each other in a limited display space, it is of paramount importance to design a display system that would efficiently use this valuable resource. Additionally, the underlying data tends to be comprehensive and complex. In many systems, simple additions or changes to data require extensive and time-consuming navigation and editing of data across a multitude of display screens; a visual inspection of the data requires as well, the same navigation of multiple display screens. Many types of software applications can display data in charts with multiple bars, however, they do not provide an intuitive overview of data from a single view.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, there is a need for an easy-to-use display system with an intuitive graphical interface that overcomes the many drawbacks of the prior existing methods and systems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a computer-implemented system and a method for graphically displaying a plurality of data values representing signals having different frequencies.  
         [0007]     A method of displaying a set of signals is disclosed wherein at least four signals are displayed on a display screen, the signals having different frequencies, one of the signals having a frequency being substantially below the frequencies of the other signals. A limit symbol representative of one of the signals is displayed on a topmost image plane and bar symbols representative of the other signals are displayed on at least a second image plane.  
         [0008]     The image planes are superimposed on each other. The bar symbols are positioned in proximity to each other and the limit symbol is positioned in such a way that if one of the bar symbols reaches the limit symbol, the bar symbol is at least partially covered by the limit symbol. The limit symbol and the bar symbols constitute a first symbol group, wherein the display of the first symbol group is permanently fixed at the end of a first time interval and a second symbol group is displayed comprising the limit symbol and the bar symbols for a second time interval.  
         [0009]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the limit symbol represents a quasi static signal and the bar symbols represent dynamic signals. A limit symbol is located on the topmost image plane. All the bar symbols are positioned, in this embodiment, on the second image plane, with the bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal, positioned in a center and the remaining bar symbols positioned on the sides of the bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal. All the bar symbols positioned on the second image plane are oriented horizontally. The center bar symbol representing the signal of the set of signals with the highest frequency and the other bar symbols representing signals of lesser frequencies are adjacent to the center bar. The distribution of the gray value remains in direct proportion to the respective frequencies represented by the bar symbols. Thus, the center bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal has also the highest gray value. The adjacent bar symbols have lower gray values since they have also lower frequency. The numerical, tabular data, corresponding to actual signal values of the set of signals is displayed in the same horizontal line as the limit symbol and the bar symbol.  
         [0010]     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the first, topmost image plane includes a limit symbol representative of a quasi static signal. A bar symbol representative of the signal having the highest frequency is displayed on the second image plane, located beneath the topmost image plane. The bar symbol positioned on the second image plane has the lowest gray value of the group of bar symbols. In this embodiment the gray value of the bar symbols is inversely proportional to their respective frequencies. The third image plane includes bar symbol representing less dynamic signal than the bar symbol positioned on the second image plane, having also higher gray value than the bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal. The fourth, lowermost image plane includes bar symbol representing the least dynamic signal out of the group of symbols, it is also the widest one out the group and it is characterized by the fact that it is an empty frame, in order to better show the contrast between the lowermost bar symbol and the other symbols.  
         [0011]     The present invention is thus applicable to a wide range of fields, with the particular emphasis on technical fields, including a variety of industrial control processes, engine monitoring, diagnosis systems, engine control or logistics, as well as business and financial data environments. It provides a quick, intuitive way for a user to monitor, assign and evaluate comprehensive and complex information in a single display view.  
         [0012]     In particular, the invention is applicable in the field of computer workstations with a graphical display. The user interacts with the display with standard input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The present invention provides a means to efficiently manage screen space in this type of application, thus saving the user considerable time and effort. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating components of a graphical data display system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process describing a method of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a graphical data display showing a set of signals comprising four signals, wherein a limit symbol represents a quasi static signal and bar symbols of the same width represent the dynamic signals;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is another embodiment of a graphical data display showing a set of signals comprising four signals, wherein a limit symbol represents a quasi static signal and bar symbols of different width represent the dynamic signals.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a graphical data display showing the image planes and the symbols assigned.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a graphical data display showing the image planes and the symbols assigned. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a graphical data display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes multiple client computers ( 104 ;  114 - 118 ), which are connected to Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)  120  which comprises data related to planning  122 , scheduling  124  and capacity limitations  126 , as well as program  107  that aggregates values for the aggregating center  112 . In this exemplary embodiment, the display computer  104  is located in the work center  100  and it comprises display screen  106 . The user interacts with the display computer through the interface  108 . The client computers communicate with each other through a network  110 .  
         [0020]     The network  110  can be any network, such as a local area network, a wide area network, or the Internet. Each one of the client computers includes one or more processors and in this preferred embodiment they represent the work stations where planning  114 , scheduling  116 , capacity determination  118  and visualizing of actual graphical data  104  is performed. Data is collected at a reporting point  102 , where it can be entered manually; however, it can be also inputted by using any type of a device, such as for example a scanner reading the bar code information; additionally, the collected data can be obtained fully automatically, as for example, by monitoring equipment. The data values can include any type of data, such as qualitative or quantitative data, and the obtained data can comprise any measurable or derived values.  
         [0021]     Data collected at a reporting point located in one or several work centers is transferred to OLTP where data is first stored and then aggregated for the future processing. The users at the work stations designated for planning, scheduling and capacity determination for data output, communicate with each other over the network and determine the target values for the planned and scheduled output, as well as the available capacity.  
         [0022]     The determination of the plan for output and the negotiations about the output scheduling between different work centers can take place automatically, as well as they can be performed manually. Agreed upon data is then transferred to the exemplary client computer designated for graphic data display. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the complex and comprehensive data coming from plurality of work centers can be easily evaluated and compared on a single display screen, where the user has overview of planned and scheduled output, as well as the capacity limitations and the actual outcome, all presented side-by-side in the graphical from and supported by numerical values appearing in the same horizontal line as the graphical symbols.  
         [0023]     The present invention is particularly useful in any applications where at least four different values need to be compared which remain with each other in a complex relationship and where the necessary data is coming from plurality of the remote work centers or other data sources. As a result, the disclosed computer display technique is applicable to a wide range of fields.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  provides a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process of creating a graphical data display for at least four signals, the signals having different frequencies and one of the signals having a frequency being substantially below the frequencies of the others. In step  200 , a limit symbol for one of the signals is displayed on a topmost image plane, the signal being a quasi static signal. In step  202 , a bar symbol is displayed for each one of the other signals on at least a second image plane, wherein the other signals include a plurality of dynamic signals.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment all bar symbols are located on the same image plane next to each other such that they are substantially non-overlapping. In another embodiment there is a separate image plane for each bar symbol; in this instance the limit symbol is still located on the topmost image plane, however, the most dynamic signal is represented by a bar symbol positioned on the image plane positioned directly underneath the topmost image plane and the less dynamic signals are represented by bar symbols on lower image planes. The assignment of bar symbols to lower image planes is such that the lower the signal frequency the lower the level of the image plane.  
         [0026]     In either case, the bar symbols are positioned in proximity to each other in such a way that if one bar reaches the limit symbol, the bar symbol is at least partially covered by the limit symbol.  
         [0027]     In step  204 , the display of a group of the symbols is addressed. The group comprising the limit symbol, representative of the quasi static signal and the bar symbols representative of the dynamic signals becomes frozen at the end of a time interval of observation. In the last step  206 , a successive group of symbols for a consecutive time interval is displayed underneath the previous group of symbols, in such a way that a set of consecutive groups forms a column. Such a structure of the graphical display area allows the user monitoring of successive time segments since the displayed values form the chronological history of the planned, scheduled and measured output and its relation to an available capacity.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a graphical data display showing a set of signals comprising four signals, wherein a limit symbol represents a quasi static signal and bar symbols of the same width represent the dynamic signals. Graphical area of the display screen comprises elongated bars, oriented horizontally, positioned in proximity to each other and extending to the right, designed to represent the measured value of the signals. The signals have different frequencies, one of the signals having a frequency being substantially below the frequencies of the others.  
         [0029]     The image plane concept used in the present embodiment facilitates a visualization of three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional representation. The image plane can be described as a surface comprising a visual content. Those surfaces are arranged in a multiple layer structure, wherein the topmost layer can be fully visible to the user and the layers that are positioned beneath the top layer are at least partially covered by the topmost layer. In the present embodiment, the two image planes are superimposed on each other in such a way that the limit symbol positioned on the topmost image plane will at least partially cover one of the bar symbols positioned on the second image plane if any of the bar symbols reaches the limit symbol. The size of the image plane conforms to the size of the standard display monitor.  
         [0030]     A limit symbol  300 , representative of one of the signals is displayed on a first image plane, in a form of the red circle with the white stripe inside. A bar symbol for each one of the other signals  302  to  306  is displayed on a second image plane. The limit symbol  300  and the bar symbols  302  to  306  constitute a group of symbols, wherein one of the bar symbols is a center bar symbol  302  positioned on a center line  305  of the group. The display of the entire symbol group is frozen at the end of a predetermined time interval. Term “frozen” means that the display of the group of symbols is fixed and not changeable at the end of a predetermined time interval.  
         [0031]     A successive symbol group comprising the limit symbol and the bar symbols is then displayed for a next time interval until all the symbol groups are displayed for the predetermined time intervals requested by the user, for example data can be displayed for the consecutive twelve months.  
         [0032]     Bars represent dynamic values of the measured signals and are positioned in respect to limit symbol, representing a quasi static value, in such a way that if one bar reaches the limit symbol which is positioned on the topmost plane, the bar symbol is at least partially covered by the limit symbol. The center bar symbol  302  positioned on a center line  305  of the group is positioned on the second image plane, located directly beneath the topmost image plane comprising the limit symbol. The said bar symbol  302  represents in this embodiment the most dynamic signal and it is positioned in respect to the other bar symbols, representing less dynamic values, in such a way that the display structure reminds of a “thermometer like” display. The less dynamic bar  304  positioned on the same image plane but on the upper side of the display represents planned output comprising shaded rectangular area framed by the top-side line. The bar  306  positioned also on the same image plane but on the lower side of the display represents scheduled output comprising shaded rectangular area framed by the bottom-side line. The distribution of the gray value remains in direct proportion to the respective frequencies represented by bar symbols. Thus, the center bar symbol  302  representing the most dynamic signal has also the highest gray value. In this example, the center bar symbol is dark blue in color, however, in a practical implementation, the user may chose any contrasting color that would be designated as appropriate for the analysis of data. The respective bar symbols  304  and  306  having lower frequency have also lower gray values. In this particular example, they both are of a light blue color what in turn allows for a good contrast with the center bar symbol.  
         [0033]     The present invention allows to effectively use the fact that distribution of the gray value remains in direct proportion with the frequency. The specific color coding applied in such a way that a color gradient changes from the center bar to other bars, wherein the center bar symbol has a higher gray value in respect to other bar symbols having considerably lower gray value corresponding to their lower frequencies, provides quick, intuitive way to analyze the signals on the basis of the observed image. Thus, the faster analysis and decision making and associated time savings in comparison with the numerical data only or the graphical display of the prior art provides one of the important advantages of the present invention. Also the achieved superior contrast makes the present invention equally clear to read for the users having color displays as for those in possession of black and white screens.  
         [0034]     The area containing numerical data remains in a close relationship to the graphical depiction, where numerical values area  308  is positioned in the vicinity of the graphical image in such a way that numerical values are displayed in the same horizontal line as bar symbols. For example, tabular cell  310  containing the value of 212.5 describes numerically the actual output  312  also depicted graphically by the corresponding bar  302 . The next cell  314  containing the numerical value 300.0 describes planned output  316  and corresponds to the bar symbol  304  comprising shaded rectangular area framed by the top side line. The cell  318  with the numerical value 300.0 representing the scheduled output  320  is also depicted by the bar symbol  306  comprising a shaded rectangular area framed by the bottom side line that describes the scheduled output graphically. Finally, the last cell  322  in this embodiment, containing the value of 300.0, describes the available capacity represented in detail by the same value as the limit symbol  300 .  
         [0035]     Such presentation of the numerical values assists the user to correlate values with the graphical image, especially in the case where the detailed information is needed. A legend containing cells  312 ,  316 ,  320 , and  324  which allow this immediate association of numerical data with the graphical image is located directly above the area containing the numerical values.  
         [0036]     The above described structure is duplicated, allowing the monitoring of the successive time periods in a predetermined sequence chosen by the user. Thus, not only the historical perspective for the monitored signal is available but also the planned values are presented in one single view.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is another embodiment of a graphical data display showing a set of signals comprising four signals, wherein a limit symbol  400  represents a quasi static signal and bar symbols of different widths  402  to  406  represent the dynamic signals. Graphical area of the display screen comprises elongated bars oriented horizontally positioned in proximity to each other and extending to the right, designed to represent the measured value of the signals. The signals have different frequencies, one of the signals having a frequency being substantially below the frequencies of the others.  
         [0038]     The image plane concept used in the present embodiment facilitates a visualization of three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional representation. The image plane can be described as a surface comprising a visual content. Those surfaces are arranged in a multiple layer structure, wherein the topmost layer can be fully visible to the user and the layers that are positioned beneath the top layer are at least partially covered by the topmost layer.  
         [0039]     In the present embodiment, the four image planes are superimposed on each other in such a way that the limit symbol positioned on the topmost image plane will at least partially cover one of the bar symbols positioned on any of the image planes if any of the bar symbols reaches the limit symbol. The size of the image plane conforms to the size of the standard display monitor.  
         [0040]     A limit symbol  400  representative of one of the signals is displayed on a topmost image plane. In this particular example a limit symbol has a form of a red circle with the diagonal white strip inside. A light blue bar symbol  402  representative of the signal having the highest frequency is displayed on a second image plane, located beneath the topmost image plane. The dark blue bar symbol  404  representing the signal of the lower frequency than the bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal is displayed on the third image plane. Finally, the empty bar symbol  406  representative of the signal having the lowest frequency out of the all signals represented by the bar symbols, is displayed on a fourth image plane. Additionally, the limit symbol  400  and the bar symbols  402  to  406  form a group of symbols. One of the bar symbols is a center bar symbol  402  positioned on a center line  405  of the group. The display of the entire symbol group is frozen at the end of a predetermined time interval. A successive symbol group comprising the limit symbol and the bar symbols is then displayed for a next time interval until all the symbol groups are displayed for the predetermined time intervals requested by the user, for example data can be displayed for the consecutive twelve months.  
         [0041]     Bar symbols represent dynamic values of the measured signals and are positioned in respect to limit symbol, representing a quasi static value, in such a way that if one bar symbol reaches the limit symbol, the bar symbol is at least partially covered by the limit symbol. The bar symbol  402  is the thinnest and it represents the most dynamic signal, it has the lowest gray value of the entire group of bar symbols (light blue color) such that its gray value is inversely proportional to its frequency. Next dark blue bar symbol  404 , representing less dynamic signal is thicker than the bar symbol representing the most dynamic signal and it is positioned on the third image plane, it has the gray value higher than the thinnest bar symbol  402  representing the most dynamic signal. The lowermost bar symbol  406 , representing the least dynamic signal out of the group of symbols, it is also the widest one out the group and it is characterized by the fact that it is empty inside, in order to better show the contrast between the lowermost bar symbol and the other symbols.  
         [0042]     Thus, when the gray values of the center bar symbol  402  and the adjacent bar symbols  404  and  406  are compared, it can be observed that color characteristic of the bar symbols are of a contrasting nature. This contrast similarly like it is in the other embodiment of the present invention, provides quick, intuitive way to analyze the signals on the basis of the observed image.  
         [0043]     Additionally, the data acquired for the successive time periods can be further monitored by repeating of the structure of grouping of symbols  400  to  406  in a predetermined sequence chosen by the user. Thus, not only the historical perspective for the monitored signal is available but also the planned values are presented in one single overview.  
         [0044]     The area containing numerical data  408  that corresponds directly to the displayed graphical depiction, is positioned in the vicinity of the graphical image in such a way that numerical values are displayed in the same horizontal line as superimposed bar symbols. For example, tabular cell  410  containing the value of 22.0 describes numerically the actual output  412  also depicted graphically by the corresponding bar  402 . The next cell  414  containing the numerical value 31.5 describes planned output  416  and corresponds to the empty bar symbol  406 . The cell  418  with the numerical value 34.0 describing the available capacity  420 , represents in detail the same value as the limit symbol  400  representative of one of the signals. Finally, the last cell in this embodiment  422 , containing the value of 38.0, describes the scheduled output  424  which is also depicted by the wider bar  404  describing the scheduled output graphically.  
         [0045]     Such presentation of the numerical values assists the user to correlate values with the graphical image, especially in the case where the detailed information is needed. A legend containing cells  412 ,  416 ,  420 , and  424  which allow this immediate association of numerical data with the graphical image is located directly above the area containing the numerical values.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a graphical data display showing the two image planes and the symbols assigned. A red limit symbol  500  representative of one of the signals is displayed on a topmost image plane  507 . The second image plane  509 , positioned underneath the topmost image plane contains three bar symbols in an arrangement that can be best described as a “thermometer like” display with the dark blue center bar symbol  502  positioned in a middle and two light blue bar symbols  504 ,  506  positioned on the sides of the central bar symbol  502 . The center bar symbol  502  positioned on a center line  505  of the group represents in this embodiment the most dynamic signal and it is adjacent to the other bar symbols, representing less dynamic values.  
         [0047]     The less dynamic bar  504  positioned on the side of the center bar symbol represents planned output comprising shaded rectangular area framed by the top-side line. The bar symbol  506  positioned also on the same image plane but on the other side of the center bar symbol represents scheduled output comprising shaded rectangular area framed by the bottom-side line. The distribution of the gray value remains in direct proportion to the respective frequencies represented by the bar symbols. Thus, the center bar symbol  502  representing the most dynamic signal has also the highest gray value. The respective bar symbols  504  and  506  having lower frequency, have also lower gray values.  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a graphical data display showing the four image planes and the symbols assigned. The first, topmost image plane  607  of this embodiment includes a red limit symbol  600  representative of a quasi static signal. A light blue bar symbol  602  representative of the signal having the highest frequency is displayed on the second image plane  609 , located beneath the topmost image plane  607 . The bar symbol  602  positioned on the second image plane has the lowest gray value of the entire group of bar symbols such that its gray value is inversely proportional to its frequency.  
         [0049]     The third image plane  611  includes dark blue bar symbol  604 , representing less dynamic signal than the bar symbol  602 , the bar symbol  604  is thicker and it has the gray value higher than the thinnest bar symbol  602  representing the most dynamic signal. The fourth, lowermost image plane  613  includes bar symbol  606 , representing the least dynamic signal out of the group of symbols, it is also the widest one out the group and it is characterized by the fact that it is empty inside, in order to better show the contrast between the lowermost bar symbol and the other symbols.  
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0000]    
       
           100  Work center  
           102  Reporting point  
           104  Display computer  
           106  Display screen  
           107  Program  
           108  Interface  
           110  Network  
           112  Aggregating center  
           114  Computer dedicated for planning  
           116  Computer dedicated for scheduling  
           118  Computer dedicated for capacity determination  
           120  Online Transaction Processing System  
           122  Planning data  
           124  Scheduling data  
           126  Capacity data  
           300  Limit symbol  
           302  The most dynamic bar symbol  
           304  Bar positioned above the most dynamic bar representing planned output  
           305  Central line  
           306  Bar positioned beneath the most dynamic bar representing scheduled output  
           308  Numerical values area  
           310  The first, exemplary tabular cell  
           312  Actual output (Legend)  
           314  The second, exemplary tabular cell  
           316  Planned output (Legend)  
           318  The third exemplary tabular cell  
           320  Scheduled output  
           322  The fourth, exemplary tabular cell  
           324  The available Capacity  
           400  Limit symbol  
           402  The most dynamic bar symbol  
           404  Bar positioned beneath the most dynamic bar symbol representing scheduled output  
           405  Central line  
           406  The least dynamic bar symbol representing planned output  
           408  Numerical values area  
           410  The first, exemplary tabular cell  
           412  Actual output (Legend)  
           414  The second, exemplary tabular cell  
           416  Planned output (Legend)  
           418  The third exemplary tabular cell  
           420  Available capacity  
           422  The fourth, exemplary tabular cell  
           424  The Scheduled output  
           500  Limit symbol  
           502  The most dynamic bar symbol  
           504  Bar positioned beneath the most dynamic bar symbol  
           505  Central line  
           506  The least dynamic bar symbol  
           507  First image plane  
           509  Second image plane  
           600  Limit symbol  
           602  The most dynamic bar symbol  
           604  Bar positioned beneath the most dynamic bar symbol  
           606  The least dynamic bar symbol  
           607  First image plane  
           609  Second image plane  
           611  Third image plane  
           613  Fourth image plane