Method and system for automated visualization using common scale

• US 20060164418A1
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dayal, Umeshwar, Hao, Ming C., Krug, Adrian
• Application Number:
  US11/044,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20060164418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

Embodiments include methods and systems for automated visualization using a common scale. One embodiment is a computer method for presenting data. The method computes a multi-level hierarchical structure for data and a common color scale for the multi-level hierarchical structure. Pixels are used to represent data records in the multi-level hierarchical structure. Different levels of the multi-level hierarchical structure are compared using the common color scale to visually identify a cause of performance delays.

Claims

1. ) A computer method for presenting data, comprising:

computing a multi-level hierarchical structure for data;

computing a common color scale for the multi-level hierarchical structure;

using pixels to represent data records in the multi-level hierarchical structure; and

comparing different levels of the multi-level hierarchical structure using the common color scale to visually identify a cause of performance delays.

2. ) The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-level hierarchical structure includes plural separate X-Y graphs using multiple pixel bars.

3. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising drilling-down from the multi-level hierarchical structure to display multiple graphs that utilize bars with the common color scale.

4. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying different colors to signify a location for the performance delays.

5. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising computing a base layer X-Y graph and plural sub-graphs of the base layer X-Y graph.

6. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising computing the common color scale with a range including a minimum time and a maximum time, the range being applied to each level of the multi-level hierarchical structure.

7. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising:

dividing the data into plural levels, each level having time-related events; and

using color to indicate time delays that occur for the time-related events.

8. ) The method of claim 1 wherein the common color scale is consistent and applied across each level of the multi-level hierarchical structure.

9. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising coloring pixels a first color to represent a first performance delay, and coloring pixels a second color to represent a second performance delay.

10. ) Computer-readable program code for causing a computer system to perform a method of displaying data, said method comprising:

computing plural hierarchical graphs for data;

arranging, using pixels, the data in the plural hierarchical graphs, with each pixel encoded with a portion of the data;

computing a color scale that is common for the plural hierarchical graphs; and

displaying the plural graphs, using the pixels and common color scale, to illustrate time-related performance delays in the data.

11. ) The computer-readable medium of claim 10 wherein the plural hierarchical graphs illustrate time to execute an event, and the common color scale extends between a minimum time and a maximum time.

12. ) The computer-readable medium of claim 10 wherein said plural hierarchical graphs comprise an X-axis and a Y-axis.

13. ) The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the X-axis represents a data category and the Y-axis represents a data value.

14. ) The computer-readable medium of claim 10 wherein each pixel is encoded with a color.

15. ) The computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the pixels are encoded with a plurality of different colors.

16. ) A computer implemented method, comprising:

deriving a multi-level hierarchical structure for data;

computing a common color scale for the multi-level hierarchical structure;

using pixels to represent data records in the multi-level hierarchical structure; and

navigating through different levels of the multi-level hierarchical structure having the common color scale to visually identify a cause of performance delays.

17. ) The computer system of claim 16 wherein the multi-level hierarchical structure includes plural X-Y graphs using multiple pixel bars.

18. ) The computer system of claim 16 further comprising sharing common colors between the different levels of the multi-level hierarchical structure to visually identify the cause of performance delays.

19. ) The computer system of claim 16 wherein the performance delays include time delays for executing requests by users.

20. ) The computer system of claim 16 further comprising computing the common color scale with a range including a minimum time and a maximum time.