Parallel-Axis Data Filter for Bus Message Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern data buses, such as SPI or CAN buses, generate a large number of data messages that are difficult to analyze and filter effectively, especially when displaying them in a tabular form, as they often exceed the screen capacity of measurement devices or computers, making it challenging for users to identify relevant information.
Innovation Solution
A data filter system that utilizes a display controller to present data in a parallel-coordinate diagram with multiple axes representing predefined characterizing sections of data messages, allowing users to interactively filter and visualize large amounts of data by selecting specific axes and value ranges, thereby simplifying the analysis and retrieval of relevant data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data messages are displayed in tabular form, then all data can be shown in detail, but the screen space required becomes too large and analysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional two-dimensional tabular display into a parallel-coordinate diagram where each data message is represented as a polyline traversing multiple parallel axes. This dimensional transformation allows compressing numerous data messages into a compact visual space while preserving all characterizing sections, enabling both data completeness and space efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments each data message into multiple characterizing sections that are mapped to different parallel axes. By dividing the data structure into meaningful segments (e.g., message ID, priority, source, destination), the system can display comprehensive information across multiple dimensions without requiring proportional screen space, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and space consumption.
2Loss of information
If all data messages are displayed, then complete information is available, but filtering relevant messages becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel-coordinate diagram adds visual dimensions for each characterizing section, allowing users to filter data by selecting specific axes or value ranges on axes. This dimensional approach enables efficient filtering while maintaining access to complete information, as users can focus on relevant dimensions without losing overall data context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual encoding including color variations to represent different data characteristics or filter states. By using color to encode additional information or filter results, the system enhances the ease of identifying relevant messages while preserving complete data visibility, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and filtering efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of data messages exceeds screen capacity, then all data can be captured, but display and analysis become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parallel-coordinate diagrams to represent large volumes of data messages in a compact two-dimensional visualization. Each polyline represents a data message traversing multiple parallel axes, allowing thousands of messages to be displayed simultaneously in a manageable space, making both high data volume capture and practical display/analysis compatible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple characterizing sections of data messages along parallel axes, combining information that would traditionally require separate rows or columns into an integrated visual representation. This merging approach allows displaying large quantities of data with multiple attributes per message in a space-efficient manner, resolving the contradiction between data volume and display practicality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a data filter (100, 200, 300) comprising a data input interface (101, 201) configured to receive data of data messages (103, 203) that conform to a predefined data protocol, a memory (105, 205) coupled to the data input and configured to store the received data, a display (106, 206, 306), and a display controller (107, 207) coupled to the memory (105, 205) and the display (106, 206, 306) and configured control the display (106, 206, 306) to display the received data in a diagram (108, 208) with a predefined number of parallel axes (109-1 - 109-n, 209-1 - 209-n, 609-1, 609-2, 609-3, 709-1, 709-2, 709-3), wherein each of the parallel axes (109-1 - 109-n, 209-1 - 209-n, 609-1, 609-2, 609-3, 709-1, 709-2, 709-3) represents a predefined characterizing section of the data messages (103, 203) that is defined by the data protocol. Further, the present invention provides a respective measurement device (320) and a respective method.