Heatmap Display Control Device for Simultaneous Multi-Index Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heatmap displays in existing technologies fail to simultaneously express combinations of multiple indexes, making it difficult to ascertain multiple variables simultaneously, as elements on the axes are fixed and only total values of selected variables are expressed with color, without displaying multiple variables simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A display control device that processes index setting information to calculate values of multiple indexes collectively and determines visual variables based on importance, allowing for simultaneous expression of combinations of indexes in heatmap displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heatmap display is used to visualize large amounts of operation log data, then the data can be overlooked easily and visual understanding is improved, but multiple indexes and variables cannot be expressed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing a new visual dimension (color hue) to represent multiple indexes simultaneously. Instead of limiting the heatmap to single-variable representation, the invention encodes multiple indexes (e.g., operation frequency, duration, error rate) into different visual dimensions including color hue, saturation, and luminance, allowing simultaneous visualization of multiple variables without cluttering the spatial layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different visual variable properties to different regions or aspects of the heatmap. Each cell in the heatmap can independently encode multiple indexes through different visual channels (hue for one index, saturation for another, luminance for a third), allowing localized representation of multiple data dimensions while maintaining overall visual coherence and ease of interpretation.
2Device complexity
If traditional heatmap display fixes elements on axes, then the display structure is simple, but combinations of multiple indexes cannot be expressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a heatmap display system that can simultaneously represent multiple indexes and variables through a unified visual encoding scheme. The display structure maintains its simple grid-based form while each cell functions as a multi-dimensional data container, encoding multiple indexes through combined use of color attributes (hue, saturation, luminance) and optional textual annotations, thus achieving multi-functionality without increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying visual parameters (color hue, saturation, luminance, font size, text color) to encode different indexes. Instead of changing the structural parameters of the heatmap grid, the invention modifies the visual appearance parameters of the cells to convey multiple data dimensions, allowing versatile index expression while preserving the simplicity of the underlying display structure.
3Ease of operation
If only total values of selected variables are expressed with color, then the visualization is simple, but multiple variables cannot be displayed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the information representation into multiple independent visual channels. Instead of using a single color attribute to represent one variable, the invention segments the color space into multiple dimensions (hue, saturation, luminance) and optionally combines with other visual elements like text annotations, allowing each segment to represent a different variable while maintaining overall visual simplicity and interpretability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials analogy by combining multiple visual encoding elements within each heatmap cell. Similar to composite materials that combine different substances to achieve multiple properties, the invention combines color attributes (hue, saturation, luminance) with optional text labels and formatting variations to create a composite visual representation that conveys multiple variables simultaneously while preserving visualization simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A display control device includes processing circuitry configured to store index setting information indicating combinations of a plurality of indexes and importance of each of the indexes, and visual variable setting information indicating a visual variable used when a value of the index of the importance is displayed for each importance on a heatmap, calculate values of the indexes collectively on a display basis on the heatmap, specify the combinations of the plurality of indexes and the importance of each of the indexes with reference to the index setting information, and determine a visual variable which is allocated to each of the indexes based on the visual variable setting information and the importance of each of the indexes specified.