Monitoring Data Timeline Visualization for Multi-Unit Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring systems with multiple recording units generating large amounts of intermittent data make it difficult for users to manage and obtain an overview of when the data was recorded, as existing solutions rely on textual and graphical presentations that are not effective for large datasets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that processes timing information for monitoring data sequences, displaying start and stop times using different graphic characteristics on a timeline, allowing users to select recording units and visualize their data alongside others, facilitating an overview of recorded data through graphic representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple recording units record monitoring data intermittently over long periods, then the quantity of monitoring data increases, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users find it difficult to get an overview of when data was recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large volume of monitoring data by recording unit, with each recording unit having its own dedicated timeline display. This segmentation allows users to view and manage data from individual recording units separately, making it easier to obtain an overview without being overwhelmed by the total quantity of data from multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension through timeline displays that visually represent when monitoring data was recorded. By mapping data timestamps to positions on a timeline, the system adds a time-based dimension to data organization, enabling users to quickly understand recording periods and identify patterns without manually examining large datasets.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple recording units record monitoring data intermittently over long periods, then the amount of monitoring data becomes very large, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases as users cannot easily determine when data was recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of monitoring data by associating each data sequence with its recording unit and recording time before presentation to the user. The system pre-processes data to create structured timelines that show when each recording unit captured data, enabling users to immediately see recording periods without having to analyze raw data or perform additional queries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms temporal information (timestamps) into spatial representations on timeline displays. By converting time data into visual positions along a timeline axis, the system makes it easy to detect and measure when data was recorded, allowing users to quickly identify recording periods, gaps, and patterns through visual inspection rather than numerical analysis.
3Device complexity
If traditional textual presentation methods are used for monitoring data, then the device complexity remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates for large datasets as lists and tables become difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional textual lists and tables to two-dimensional timeline visualizations. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain relative simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation for large datasets. The timeline format enables users to quickly grasp data distribution, recording patterns, and time periods at a glance, something that would require extensive scrolling and analysis in traditional tabular formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different graphic characteristics (such as colors) to differentiate between recording units in the timeline display. This visual encoding allows users to quickly distinguish data from different sources and understand the composition of large datasets without increasing textual complexity. The color-coding system provides immediate visual cues that enhance operability while keeping the underlying data structure manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
Processing of monitoring data in a monitoring system is described. The system comprises a plurality of recording units for recording sequences (302, 304, 306) of monitoring data (e.g. video sequences, audio sequences, temperature sequences etc.) and a system control station, and the method comprises, in the system control station, obtaining timing information related to each sequence of monitoring data in a plurality of sequences of monitoring data recorded by each of the plurality of recording units. The timing information indicates a respective start time and a stop time for each sequence. A recording unit selection signal is received that indicates a selected recording unit. The timing information is processed together with the recording unit selection signal, the processing comprising displaying, using a first graphic characteristic (e.g. a first color), a graphic representation of said start and stop times for at least a subset of the sequences of monitoring data (304, 306), and displaying, using a second graphic characteristic different than the first graphic characteristic (e.g. a second color), a graphic representation of said start and stop times for each sequence of monitoring data (302) recorded by the selected recording unit.