Graphical indicator for the multiplexed display of line graph information

A computer-readable volatile or non-volatile medium, carrying one or more sequences of instructions for displaying a multiplexed property indicator on a network topology map, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:

• obtaining a coloration designation specification that specifies that a first property is designated a first color, and a second property is designated a second color;
• displaying a network topology map that includes a graph item that has the first property and the second property;
• and
• displaying a wrapper colored according to the coloration designation specification around the graph item;
• wherein the step of displaying a wrapper colored according to the coloration designation specification around the graph item comprises displaying a wrapper that:
• is distinct from the graph item and forms a sleeve around the graph item,
• alternates the first color and the second color, and
• repeats the first color and the second color at least once;
• wherein the instructions which when executed cause obtaining a coloration designation specification further comprise instructions which when executed cause determining a first Red-Green-Blue vector for the first color, and determining a second Red-Green-Blue vector for the second color;
• based on the first Red-Green-Blue vector and the second Red-Green-Blue vector, determining a difference between the first color and the second color;
• and determining that the difference is greater than a configured threshold value.

An apparatus for displaying a multiplexed property indicator on a network topology map, comprising:

• means for obtaining a coloration designation specification that specifies that a first property is designated a first color, and a second property is designated a second color;
• means for displaying a network topology map that includes a graph item that has the first property and the second property;
• and
• means for displaying a wrapper colored according to the coloration designation specification around the graph item;
• wherein the means for displaying a wrapper colored according to the coloration designation specification around the graph item comprises means for displaying a wrapper that:
• is distinct from the graph item and forms a sleeve around the graph item,
• alternates the first color and the second color, and
• repeats the first color and the second color at least once;
• means for determining a first Red-Green-Blue vector for the first color, and determining a second Red-Green-Blue vector for the second color;
• means for based on the first Red-Green-Blue vector and the second Red-Green-Blue vector, determining a difference between the first color and the second color;
• and
• means for determining that the difference is greater than a threshold value.

A graphical indicator on a network topology map wrapped around a graph item having at least two properties that are each designated a respective color in a coloration designation specification, said indicator including a color for each property of the graph item that is designated a color in the coloration designation specification,

• wherein said indicator:
• is distinct from the graph item and forms a sleeve around the graph item,
• alternates at least a first color and a second color, repeats the first color and second color at least once, and
• wherein said network topology map with the graphical indicator is displayed on a computer display;
• wherein a Red-Green-Blue vector is determined for each of the colors designated for the at least two properties, wherein a difference is determined between a first color and a second color based on a first Red-Green-Blue vector and a second Red-Green-Blue vector, and wherein the difference is greater than a configured threshold value.

A method of displaying network device properties on a network topology map, the method comprising:

• displaying a network topology map that includes a graphical indicator of a network device that has at least one primary property and a plurality of secondary properties, the graphical indicator representing the at least one primary property according to a first representation technique using at least one of:
• line coloration, line thickness and line motif indicators;
• obtaining a coloration designation specification that specifies a plurality of colors that designate and correspond to each of the secondary properties, wherein a Red-Green-Blue vector is determined for each of the colors designated for the at least two properties, wherein a difference is determined between a first color and a second color based on a first Red-Green-Blue vector and a second Red-Green-Blue vector, and wherein the difference is greater than a configured threshold value;
• and
• displaying a multiplexed property indicator, distinct from and forming a sleeve around the graphical indicator of the network device, colored according to a second representation technique that includes each of the plurality of colors and that does not interfere with the graphical indicator of the network device;
• wherein the second representation technique comprises displaying a multiplexed property indicator that alternates each of the plurality of colors and repeats each of the plurality of colors at least once.