Quantitative visual system for comparing parameters which characterize multiple complex entities
First Claim
1. A system for comparing a plurality of complex entities wherein a first set of data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters is used to characterize a first complex entity and one or more additional sets of data concerning said set of parameters is used to characterize one or more additional complex entities, said system comprising:
- a separate helical structure for representing each of said complex entities, said helical structure being defined by an outer bounding cylinder, an inner bounding cylinder coaxial with said outer bounding cylinder and a pitch between complete revolutions of said helical structure;
each of said helical structures having adaptive means for receiving data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters used to characterize the complex entity which said helical structure represents,said data concerning said set of parameters being superimposed upon said adaptive means,said adaptive means comprising radially and sequentially disposed primary zones of substantially equal area and substantially similar shape within the helical structure, each of said primary zones being defined byfirst and second sequential radial lines between said inner and outer bounding cylinders on said helical structure,said inner and outer bounding cylinders, andan included angle between said radial lines, and each of said primary zones being allocated for superimposition of a representation of data thereon and relating to a single one of said parameters used to characterize said complex entities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for comparing two complex entities, particularly appropriate for assisting in matching recipients with potential organ transplant donors or prostheses, utilizes a set of data corresponding to multiple diverse parameters representing a first complex entity, graphically represented on a helical structure having a discrete primary zone for each parameter and a series of secondary zones within each primary zone to establish scale means for quantitative representation of the data. The data is represented in a visual manner by means of shading in the secondary zones, with the shading increasing in hue and density with increasing distance of the secondary zones from the longitudinal axis of the helical structure, and terminating at a quantitative value for each parameter. Other sets of data corresponding to other complex entities are similarly represented on additional helical structures, and the helixes, or sections thereof, are superimposed on one another to determine the suitability of a match, with differences in values for each parameter being readily visible to an observer by looking at the differences in termination of the shaded regions.
36 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for comparing a plurality of complex entities wherein a first set of data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters is used to characterize a first complex entity and one or more additional sets of data concerning said set of parameters is used to characterize one or more additional complex entities, said system comprising:
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a separate helical structure for representing each of said complex entities, said helical structure being defined by an outer bounding cylinder, an inner bounding cylinder coaxial with said outer bounding cylinder and a pitch between complete revolutions of said helical structure; each of said helical structures having adaptive means for receiving data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters used to characterize the complex entity which said helical structure represents, said data concerning said set of parameters being superimposed upon said adaptive means, said adaptive means comprising radially and sequentially disposed primary zones of substantially equal area and substantially similar shape within the helical structure, each of said primary zones being defined by first and second sequential radial lines between said inner and outer bounding cylinders on said helical structure, said inner and outer bounding cylinders, and an included angle between said radial lines, and each of said primary zones being allocated for superimposition of a representation of data thereon and relating to a single one of said parameters used to characterize said complex entities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for comparing a plurality of complex entities wherein a first set of data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters is used to characterize a first complex entity and one or more additional sets of data concerning said set of parameters is used to characterize one or more additional complex entities, said system comprising:
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a separate helical structure for representing each of said complex entities, said helical structure being defined by an outer bounding cylinder, an inner bounding cylinder coaxial with said outer bounding cylinder and a pitch between complete revolutions of said helical structure; each of said helical structures having adaptive means for receiving data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters used to characterize the complex entity which said helical structure represents, said data concerning said set of parameters being superimposed upon said adaptive means, said adaptive means comprising radially and sequentially disposed primary zones of substantially equal area and substantially similar shape within the helical structure, each of said primary zones being defined by first and second sequential radial lines between said inner and outer bounding cylinders on said helical structure, said first and second sequential radial lines each having an innermost end and an outermost end, an inner segment connecting said innermost ends of said radial lines, an outer segment connecting said outermost ends of said radial lines, an included angle between said radial lines, and each of said primary zones being allocated for superimposition of a representation of data thereon and relating to a single one of said parameters used to characterize said complex entities. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for use by one or more parties for comparing a plurality of complex entities wherein a first set of data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters is used to characterize a first complex entity and one or more additional sets of data concerning said set of parameters is used to characterize one or more additional complex entities, comprising the steps of:
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generating a separate helical structure representing each of said complex entities, each of said helical structures being defined by an outer bounding cylinder, an inner bounding cylinder coaxial with said outer bounding cylinder and a pitch between complete revolutions of said helical structure, each of said helical structures having adaptive means for receiving data concerning a set of multiple diverse parameters used to characterize the complex entity which said helical structure represents, said data concerning said set of parameters being superimposed upon said adaptive means, said adaptive means comprising radially and sequentially disposed primary zones of substantially equal area and substantially similar shape within the helical structure, each of said primary zones being defined by first and second sequential radial lines between said inner and outer bounding cylinders on said helical structure, said inner and outer bounding cylinders, and an included angle between said radial lines, and each of said primary zones being allocated for superimposition of a representation of data thereon and relating to a single one of said parameters used to characterize said complex entities and including a series of secondary zones within each primary zone, each of said secondary zones being defined by a pair of segments of said first and second radial lines of said primary zone, a pair of lines extending between said segments, and said included angle between the radial lines of said primary zone; assigning a quantitative scale to each of said primary zones of the helical structures, with said lines partially defining said secondary zones constituting scale means of said quantitative scale; and superimposing one or more discrete shaded entities upon said secondary zones of each primary zone, said shaded entities progressively increasing in hue and density with increased radial disposition of said secondary zone from the axis of said bounding cylinders of said helical structure and extending over a number of secondary zones in the associated primary zone to correspond to a quantitative representation of a measurement of a parameter in the complex entity represented by said helical structure. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification