Data Processing Status Donut Charts for Uneven Durations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular charts, such as pie and donut charts, struggle to accurately and efficiently convey information when segments vary significantly in size, leading to reduced discernability and unclear graphical representation of data processing system statuses.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a donut chart with an inner hole region and outer segments, where the size of each region is proportional to the monitored time, and colors are used to enhance comprehension and aesthetics, including a legend for clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one segment is much larger than other segments in a circular chart, then the large segment is clearly visible, but the smaller segments become less discernable and information conveyance becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the circular chart into multiple distinct segments, each representing a different system status. The chart is further segmented into an inner hole region and an outer ring region, allowing different types of information to be displayed in different spatial zones. This segmentation enables clear differentiation between dominant and minor statuses while maintaining overall information efficiency.
2Loss of information
If a circular chart displays all system statuses equally, then comprehensive information is provided, but the visual representation becomes cluttered and harder to interpret when statuses have vastly different durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different visual properties to different regions of the chart. The inner hole region uses distinct visual characteristics (different color, position) from the outer ring segments. This allows the chart to convey comprehensive status information while maintaining visual clarity through region-specific design choices that adapt to the local information density and importance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional spatial dimension by creating an inner hole region separate from the outer ring segments. This dimensional separation allows the chart to display multiple levels of status information simultaneously without increasing visual clutter, as the inner region can highlight dominant statuses while the outer ring displays secondary statuses in a distributed manner.
3Device complexity
If traditional pie charts are used to display system statuses, then simple graphical representation is achieved, but aesthetic appeal and comprehension efficiency are reduced when segments vary significantly in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating a donut chart with an intentional inner hole region, breaking the symmetry of traditional pie charts. This asymmetric design allows for better visual hierarchy and comprehension efficiency, as the inner hole can be used to display dominant statuses or summary information while the outer ring displays detailed status segments, creating a more effective visual communication structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for graphically providing status information of a data processing system having a plurality of disjunct system statuses, wherein the data processing system is monitored during a predetermined period of time. A donut chart is created which has an inner hole region linked to the one particular system status and an outer region having as many segments as the total number of system statuses in the collection minus one. An area size of the inner hole region and an area size of each segment in the outer region is proportional to the amount of time that the corresponding monitored system status occurred during the predetermined period of time.