Sparkline Data Line Display for Simultaneous Trend Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying information to users, such as financial analysts or controllers, are limited in their ability to efficiently present complex data in a compact and intelligible form, lacking the capability to simultaneously compare multiple data sets without user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates and displays multiple data lines on a portable device screen, with each line comprising data sets based on received values, allowing for simultaneous display, comparison, and movement of data lines without user interaction, incorporating sparklines for dense information representation and optional labels for orientation, along with update and detail display features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple data sets are displayed separately or sequentially, then each data set can be shown in detail, but the user cannot compare them simultaneously and requires extensive user interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sets into a single visual field by displaying multiple sparkline graphs simultaneously on one screen. Each sparkline represents a different data set, and they are arranged in a compact layout that allows direct visual comparison without requiring users to switch between screens or interact extensively with the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sparkline graphs which are minimized diagrams that display data trends in a compact, space-efficient format. By using these condensed visual representations instead of traditional large charts, multiple data sets can be displayed simultaneously on a single screen, enabling comparison across different dimensions (time, value, trend) without requiring additional screen space or user interaction.
2Loss of information
If traditional charts and graphs are used to display detailed data, then comprehensive information can be shown, but the display requires large space and complex loading of databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large data sets into compact sparkline graphs that can be displayed in a grid layout. Instead of displaying one large detailed chart, the data is divided into multiple smaller sparkline units, each representing a specific data set or time period. This segmentation allows comprehensive information to be presented in a space-efficient manner while maintaining the ability to show detailed trends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms traditional two-dimensional charts into minimized sparkline diagrams that pack more information into smaller visual spaces. These sparklines use condensed visual encoding to display trends, values, and patterns in a fraction of the space required by conventional charts, thereby increasing information density without proportionally increasing display area.
3Loss of information
If databases are loaded completely to provide detailed information, then all data can be accessed, but the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential visual features needed for comparison from the complete data sets. Instead of loading and processing entire databases, the system extracts key trend information and displays it in sparkline format. This extraction approach provides sufficient information for analysis without the time and resource cost of loading complete databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial loading of data by displaying sparkline graphs that represent condensed versions of data sets. Rather than loading all raw data into memory and processing it completely, the system loads and processes only the essential elements needed to generate the visual representations, thereby reducing loading time and resource consumption while maintaining data accessibility for comparison purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a system for providing information to a user comprising: a screen for showing the information to the user, wherein the screen is the screen of a portable device or of a personal computer, receiving means for receiving one or more values from a source of values on which values the information shown to the user is based, generating means for generating two or more data lines wherein each of said data lines comprises at least one data set, wherein the data sets comprise data which are based on said values and wherein the data sets are assigned to the at least two data lines by predetermined or changeable criteria and displaying means for simultaneously showing said two or more data lines to the user on said screen.