Synchronized Zooming Across Multiple Data Plots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial condition monitoring systems lack the ability to display multiple plots in a coherent manner, making it difficult for operators to synchronize zooming across different data plots, which are often displayed individually without considering their interrelated nature.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows for synchronized zooming across multiple data plots by using a processor to convert zoom start and end points between different units of measure, enabling automatic rescaling of inactive plots when a preset transfer function is available, and providing visual alerts when zooming extends beyond plot edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple plots are displayed individually without synchronization, then each plot can be viewed independently, but operators cannot efficiently compare and analyze data across multiple plots simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the zooming functionality across multiple plots by implementing synchronized zoom operations. When a user zooms into a specific time period or data range in one active plot, the system automatically applies the same zoom parameters to multiple inactive plots, allowing operators to compare data across different machines or time periods simultaneously while maintaining visual coherence and contextual relationships.
2Productivity
If zooming is applied to each plot independently, then each plot can be optimized for its specific data range, but operators must manually adjust each plot separately, increasing operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring transfer functions that define the relationships between different plot data formats, units, and scales. When synchronized zoom is activated, these pre-established relationships allow the system to automatically calculate and apply appropriate zoom parameters to inactive plots based on the active plot's zoom parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining data accuracy and contextual relationships.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plots with different units of measure are displayed together, then diverse data can be compared, but converting between units requires complex transfer functions and may extend zoom boundaries beyond plot edges
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces transfer functions as intermediary elements that mediate between plots with different units of measure. These transfer functions serve as conversion mechanisms that automatically translate zoom parameters from the active plot's unit system to the inactive plots' unit systems. The system manages the complexity by providing automated boundary checking and alerting operators when converted zoom boundaries extend beyond plot edges, ensuring data integrity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods include manipulating multiple data plots. The multiple data plots each have horizontal and vertical dimensions and include active and inactive zoom plots. After determining whether the inactive zoom plot is to be synchronized with the active zoom plot in the horizontal or vertical dimension when zooming the active zoom plot and an indication that the active zoom plot is to be zoomed to an active zoom area, an active area zoom is performed based on the indication using a zoom start point and a zoom end point in the horizontal or vertical dimension. A corresponding inactive zoom plot is zoomed by rescaled in the horizontal or vertical dimension by converting the zoom start and end points to corresponding inactive zoom start and end points in the inactive zoom plot using a preset transfer function if the inactive zoom plot is to be synchronized.