US 5,226,118 A · Data analysis system and method for industrial process control systems · patentgrep

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Abstract

A data analysis computer system stores measurement data obtained from a multiplicity of distinct predefined processes. The system can store definitions for many data analysis charts, each of which depicts stored measurement data for a specified process. Further, chart groups can be defined. Each chart group comprises a set of data analysis charts that grouped together for convenient access. Charts are displayed by either (1) selecting a defined chart, or (2) by selecting a chart group and then selecting one or more charts from the selected group for, and then simultaneously displaying the selected data analysis charts. A data display gallery feature divides the computer system's display into a two dimensional array of cells, and assigns cell definitions to at least a subset of the cells. Each cell definition consists of either a set of measurement data which can be displayed as a unit, or a mathematical combination of a plurality of specified sets of measurement data. Typically each displayed cell contains a data map depicting a set of data in accordance with a corresponding cell definition. Each displayed data analysis chart is displayed with an expand bar having two ends and a expansion selection element positioned therebetween. The expansion element can be moved to various positions along the expansion bar, and the system responds by scaling each data analysis chart in accordance with the position of the expansion selection element. This allows the user to quickly re-scale each data analysis chart to the user's liking.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing measurement data in a stored data structure, including means for storing measurement data obtained from a multiplicity of distinct predefined processes;
said stored measurement data being organized in a multilevel data hierarchy in which measurement data from each said predefined process comprises a distinct branch of said multilevel data hierarchy;
chart definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a multiplicity of data analysis charts, each data analysis chart depicting stored measurement data for a specified one of said predefined processes;
chart group definition means for defining a multiplicity of chart groups, each chart group denoting a plurality of specified ones of said defined data analysis charts, including means for storing said chart group definitions;
said chart group definition means including user selection means for selecting ones of said defined data analysis charts to include in each chart group (A) such that a user can select to include in a specified chart group, without restriction, any selected combination of data analysis charts for stored measurement data anywhere in said multilevel data hierarchy;
and (B) such that individual ones of said data analysis charts can be included in multiple ones of said chart groups;
chart display means, coupled to said chart group definition means and said chart definition means, for displaying selected ones of said data analysis charts, including means for selecting one of said defined chart groups, for selecting one or more of said data analysis charts in said selected chart group, and for then simultaneously displaying said selected data analysis charts.

4 more elements

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing measurement data in a stored data structure, including means for storing measurement data obtained from a multiplicity of distinct predefined processes;
said stored measurement data being organized in a multilevel data hierarchy in which measurement data from each said predefined process comprises a distinct branch of said multilevel data hierarchy;
trend chart definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a multiplicity of trend charts, each trend chart comprising a sequence of data points for a specified one of said predefined processes, each data point representing at least a portion of the measurement data collected during a particular execution of said specified predefined process;
chart group definition means for defining a multiplicity of chart groups, each chart group denoting a plurality of specified ones of said defined trend charts, including means for storing said chart group definitions;
said chart group definition means including user selection means for selecting ones of said defined trend charts to include in each chart group (A) such that a user can select to include in a specified chart group, without restriction, any selected combination of trend charts for stored measurement data anywhere in said multilevel data hierarchy;
and (B) such that individual ones of said trend charts can be included in multiple ones of said chart groups;
and
trend chart display means, coupled to said chart group definition means and said trend chart definition means, for displaying selected ones of said trend charts, including means for selecting one of said defined chart groups, for selecting one or more of said trend charts in said selected chart group, and for then simultaneously displaying said selected trend charts, each trend chart depicting a sequence of data points in accordance with one of said trend chart definitions.

5 more elements

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data that can be displayed graphically;
gallery definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a two dimensional array of cells, and for assigning to each of at least a subset of said cells a cell definition selected from the set consisting of (A) one of said sets of data, and (B) data resulting from a specified mathematical operation performed on one or more specified ones of said sets of data;
and
gallery display means, coupled to said gallery definition means, for displaying a two dimensional array of cells, each cell containing a graphic image depicting a set of data in accordance with a corresponding one of said cell definitions.

1 more element

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of measurement data, each said set of data representing a set of related measurements obtained using a predefined process;
and
chart definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a multiplicity of data analysis charts, each data analysis chart depicting a sequence of stored measurement data values for a specified one of said predefined processes;
and
chart display means, coupled to said chart group definition means, for (A) displaying selected ones of said data analysis charts, including expand bar means for displaying with each data analysis chart an expand bar having two ends and a expansion selection element positioned at a position between said two ends of said expand bar and (B) for enabling a user of said system to move said expansion element to various positions along said expansion bar, and (C) for scaling one dimension, parallel to said expansion bar, of each said displayed data analysis chart in accordance with the position of said expansion selection element.

2 more elements

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data that can be displayed graphically;
graphical spreadsheet definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a two dimensional array of cells, and for assigning to each of at least a subset of said cells a cell data definition and a cell representation definition, each said cell data definition selected from the set consisting of (A) one of said sets of data, and (B) data resulting from a specified mathematical operation performed on one or more specified ones of said sets of data;
each said cell representation definition specifying, for a corresponding cell in said array of cells, a graphical representation method for representing a set of data defined by said corresponding cell's cell data definition;
and
graphical spreadsheet display means, coupled to said graphical spreadsheet definition means, for displaying at least a subset of said two dimensional array of cells, each displayed cell to which a cell data definition has been defined containing a graphical representation of data in accordance with said cell's cell data definition and cell representation definition.

2 more elements

A data analysis system, comprising:

data storage means for storing sets of data that can be displayed graphically;
chart definition means, coupled to said data storage means, for defining a multiplicity of data analysis charts, each data analysis chart depicting a sequence of said stored sets of data as a sequence of data points such that each data point in said each defined data analysis chart represents at least one of said sets of data;
chart display means, coupled to said chart group definition means and said chart definition means, for displaying selected ones of said data analysis charts;
user selection means, coupled to said chart display means, for selecting individual data points within each displayed data analysis chart;
graphical spreadsheet definition means, coupled to said data storage means and said user selection means, for defining a two dimensional array of cells, and for assigning to each of at least a subset of said cells a cell definition, each said cell definition selected from the set consisting of (A) one of said sets of data, and (B) data resulting from a specified mathematical operation performed on one or more specified ones of said sets of data;
said graphical spreadsheet definition means including means for assigning to individual cells in said two dimensional array of cells the at least one set of data represented by each selected data point;
and
graphical spreadsheet display means, coupled to said graphical spreadsheet definition means, for displaying at least a subset of said two dimensional array of cells, each displayed cell to which a cell definition has been assigned containing a graphical representation of data in accordance with said cell's cell definition.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.