Method and computer program product for displaying visual threshold setting indicators and threshold activation indicators

• US 5,936,622 A
• Filed: 01/16/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Shade, Mark Steven, Halverson, Steven Gene, Ryan, Jeffrey Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, BA
• Application Number:
  US08/784,716
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 345/339, 345/340, 345/348, 345/349, 345/965, 345/970, 345/134, 345/140, 345/440
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/965 for process control and configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

A method and computer program product are provided for displaying visual threshold setting indicators and threshold activation indicators with information displayed in a graph on a computer display screen. At least one threshold setting indicator is displayed on a first predetermined screen area. Each threshold setting indicator corresponds to a selected threshold setting. Sequential data parameter values are displayed on a graph on a second predetermined screen area. The data parameter values are compared with each selected threshold setting. Responsive to matching compared values, a threshold activation indicator is displayed on a third predetermined screen area. The first predetermined screen area for displaying visual threshold setting indicators is along a first graph axis, such as the vertical graph axis and the third predetermined screen area for displaying threshold activation indicators is along a second graph axis, such as the horizontal graph axis.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of displaying information on a computer display screen, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying at least one threshold setting indicator on a first predetermined screen area;

each said at least one threshold setting indicator corresponding to a selected threshold setting;

displaying sequential data parameter values on a graph on a second predetermined screen area;

comparing said data parameter values with said selected threshold setting; and

responsive to matching compared values, displaying a threshold activation indicator on a third predetermined screen area;

said step of displaying said at least one threshold setting indicator on said first predetermined screen area includes displaying visual cues corresponding to a data metric along a first graph axis and said step of displaying said threshold activation indicator on said third predetermined screen area includes displaying visual cues corresponding to said threshold setting indication along a second graph axis.

2. The computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen as recited in claim 1 includes the step of:

receiving a user selected threshold setting including a threshold number.

3. The computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen as recited in claim 2 includes the step of:

receiving a user selected threshold setting including a trigger value and an interval value for the user selected trigger value.

4. The computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen as recited in claim 2 includes the step of:

receiving a user selected threshold setting including a reset value and an interval value for the user selected reset value.

5. The computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of displaying at least one threshold setting indicator on a first predetermined screen area includes the step of:

displaying each said at least one threshold setting indicator with a visual cue distinguishing a trigger value and a reset value.

6. The computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of comparing said data parameter values with said selected threshold setting includes the steps of comparing said data parameter values with a trigger value and with a reset value.

7. A computer-implemented method of displaying measured data on a computer screen, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying at least one threshold setting indicator on a first predetermined screen area;

each said at least one threshold setting indicator corresponding to a selected threshold setting;

displaying sequential data parameter values on a graph on a second predetermined screen area;

comparing said data parameter values with said selected threshold setting including comparing said data parameter values with a trigger value and with a reset value;

responsive to matching compared values, displaying a threshold activation indicator on a third predetermined screen area; and

wherein the step of displaying a threshold activation indicator on a third predetermined screen area includes the step of;

maintaining said displayed threshold activation indicator until a matching reset value is identified.

8. A computer program product for use in a computer system having a central processor for implementing graph display management on a user interface display screen, the computer program product comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying at least one threshold setting indicator on a first predetermined screen area including visual cues corresponding to a data metric for said threshold setting indicator, said first predetermined screen area being along a first graph axis of a graph to be displayed;

each said at least one threshold setting indicator corresponding to a selected threshold setting;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying sequential data parameter values on said graph on a second predetermined screen area;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for comparing said data parameter values with said selected threshold setting; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for responsive to matching compared values, displaying a threshold activation indicator on a third predetermined screen area along a second graph axis of said graph including visual cues corresponding to said threshold setting indication.

9. The computer program product for use in a computer system having a central processor for implementing graph display management on a user interface display screen as recited in claim 8 includes means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving a user selected threshold setting, said user selected threshold setting including a threshold number, a trigger value and an interval value for the trigger value, a reset value and an interval value for the reset value.

10. The computer program product for use in a computer system having a central processor for implementing graph display management on a user interface display screen as recited in claim 8 wherein said threshold activation indication displaying means include means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying said threshold activation indicator with visual cues corresponding to said threshold setting indication.

11. The computer program product for use in a computer system having a central processor for implementing graph display management on a user interface display screen as recited in claim 8 wherein said data parameter value comparing means includes means, recorded on the recording medium, for comparing said data parameter values with a trigger value and with a reset value.

12. A computer program product for use in a computer system having a central processor for implementing graph display management on a user interface display screen, the computer program product comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying at least one threshold setting indicator on a first predetermined screen area;

each said at least one threshold setting indicator corresponding to a selected threshold setting;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying sequential data parameter values on a graph on a second predetermined screen area;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for comparing said data parameter values with said selected threshold setting;

said data parameter value comparing means including means, recorded on the recording medium, for comparing said data parameter values with a trigger value and with a reset value;

means, recorded on the recording medium, responsive to matching compared values for displaying a threshold activation indicator on a third predetermined screen area; and

wherein said threshold activation indicator displaying means includes means, recorded on the recording medium, for maintaining said displayed threshold activation indicator until a matching reset value is identified.