Methods and apparatus for displaying multiple data categories

• US 7,158,136 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Gannon, Aaron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sajous; Wesner
• Application Number:
  US10/288,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 345/418, 345/589, 345/591, 345/501, 345440-443, 345/630, 348/564, 348/563, 715/805, 715/855, 701/3, 701/14, 701/11, 701/200, 340/945, 340/973, 340/972, 340/985, 340/990
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for displaying data categories. The apparatus comprises a display that is configured to produce a first visual presentation of a first data category of the data categories and a second visual presentation of a second data category of the data categories. The apparatus also comprises a processor that is configured to control the display during simultaneous production of the first visual presentation and the second visual presentation. The processor is configured to control the display such that the first visual presentation comprises a first line bordering at least a portion of a first object of the first data category.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying a plurality of data categories, comprising:

a display that is configured to produce a first visual presentation of a first data category of the plurality of data categories and a second visual presentation of said second data category of the plurality of data categories, said first and second data categories comprising data selected from the group consisting of aircraft sensor data and aircraft navigation data; and

a processor that is configured to control said display during simultaneous production of said first visual presentation and said second visual presentation, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that a first and a second object of said first data category are displayed thereon, said first object comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a first line having a first thickness, and said second data object comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a second line having a second thickness, wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness.

2. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said first visual presentation comprises a third object of said first data category comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a third line.

3. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said first line is a first color.

4. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said first line is a first color and said second line is a second color other than said first color.

5. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said first line is a first color, said second line is a second color other than said first color, and said third line is a third color other than said first color and said second color.

6. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 2, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said third line has a third thickness greater than said first thickness and said second thickness.

7. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that an indicator is provided for indicating a relative difference between said first line and said second line.

8. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 7, wherein said indicator is an arrow extending substantially from said first line to said second line.

9. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said second visual presentation comprises a third shaded area for at least a portion of a third object of said second data category.

10. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said second visual presentation comprises a first shaded area for at least a portion of a first object of said second data category.

11. The apparatus for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 10, wherein said processor is configured to control said display such that said second visual presentation comprises a second shaded area for at least a portion of a second object of said second data category.

12. A method for displaying a plurality of data categories, comprising:

generating a first visual presentation of a first data category of the plurality of data categories, said first data category comprising data selected from the group consisting of aircraft sensor data and aircraft navigation data;

simultaneously generating a second visual presentation of a second data category of the plurality of data categories with said first visual presentation of said first data category, said second data category comprising data selected from the group consisting of aircraft sensor data and aircraft navigation data; and

designating in said first visual presentation a first and a second object of said first data category, said first object comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a first line having a first thickness, and said second object comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a second line having a second thickness, wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness.

13. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 12, further comprising designating in said first visual presentation a third object of said first data category comprising an area defined by at least a portion of a third line.

14. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 12, wherein said first line has a first color.

15. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 12, wherein said first line has a first color and said second line has a second color other than said first color.

16. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 13, wherein said first line has a first color, said second line has a second color other than said first color, and said third line has a third color other than said first color and said second color.

17. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 13, wherein said third line has a third thickness greater than said first thickness and said second thickness.

18. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 12, further comprising providing an indicator that presents a relative difference between said first line and said second line.

19. The method for displaying the plurality of data categories of claim 18 wherein said indicator is an arrow extending substantially from said first line to said second line.