EP2059871A1

EP2059871A1 - System for object-oriented data management of information processes

Info

Publication number: EP2059871A1
Application number: EP08775181A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maria Westermair
Original assignee: JC-Janus GmbH; JC Janus GmbH
Current assignee: JC-Janus GmbH; JC Janus GmbH
Priority date: 2007-07-17
Filing date: 2008-07-17
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Also published as: US20090024928A1; DE102007033279B3; US8156438B2; WO2009010566A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for processing electronic content data received by a host computer, in order to convert the electronic content data on a client computer with control data to a target format differing from the format in which the data were received by the host computer. Using the system described, information or process parameters are to be represented in such a manner that allows immediate recognition of complex interconnections of the correlated information or process parameters. According to the invention, the system comprises: a module for receiving and storing content data received from the host computer from a computer network via a technical interface on the host computer; a module for transmitting the received content data to a client computer at the request of the client computer; a module for generating the control data on the host computer that are sent at the request of the client computer and stored in the memory of the client computer, the client computer converting the received content data into application data using the control data by a conversion specification, such that independent graphic objects having a manifestation depending on context and time are generated in real time and displayed on a display device of the client computer using a plurality of available degrees of freedom; and a module for receiving command data of the client computer for automatically processing user-relevant information on the host computer.

Description

"System for object-oriented data management of information processes"

description

The invention relates to a system for object-oriented data management of information processes.

The output of data, for example measurement data, to a user's output terminal that has been acquired and processed by a technical system is known in the art. As a rule, the output of the relevant measurement data is used to clearly display complex relationships in technical information processes or technical systems for a user who, for example, is responsible for the operation and control of a technical system. Furthermore, a user-oriented display of information can serve the user as a meaningful basis for decision-making in order to be able to influence the technical system by initiating appropriate measures in the case of deviations from a predetermined desired state of a system from a detected actual state. To present the collected data or measurements, which are often in a particular data format, on an output terminal, the measurements must be transported in an adequate data format that can be processed by the output terminal. The data and information to be presented can come from a variety of application areas of science or industry, such as data for the assessment of monetary information flow, production processes in industrial plants or traffic-related information.

US 2006/0095288 A1 discloses a system which converts data into a proprietary data format of a transmitter into a generally valid data format that can be processed by a receiver. The conversion of the data into various data formats is carried out with translation objects. The Translation objects are generated by the respective trading partners and contain so-called "relationship definitions", which represent the rules for translating the data into various data formats.

Document DE 198 51 750 A1 discloses a method for evaluating and displaying a plurality of data time series for securities on an output unit of a computer system. The securities data is displayed in dimensions such as time or percentage value in a diagram with the percentage values highlighted in color. The aim is to increase the density of information in the illustrated securities data time series while at the same time displaying the data completely and clearly. The securities data are presented as percentages, which are displayed in a 2D or SD diagram as a function of time.

US 2004/0041846 A1 discloses a system for visualizing financial data in 3D virtual diagrammatic representations. It uses graphic objects that have visual attributes associated with them.

However, the systems mentioned for displaying information-relevant processes or their parameters from the prior art are generally limited to mapping the data as continuous curves in 2D or 3D representations, which can often only be interactively edited by the user to a limited extent , However, the situation-specific adaptation of the information to be displayed, in particular information processes that change in real time, is an essential condition for a user who must operate a technical system to quickly and reliably obtain this information on the basis of the information offered to him, which often combines complex relationships to interpret correctly and then make an appropriate decision to influence the technical system. The clear presentation of complex information processes or their data, which is often directly related to a system user, can be achieved in particular by an object-oriented representation of the relevant information or the process parameters in the form of graphic objects. However, it would be desirable not only to display complex information processes using graphical objects, but also to map various information that are in communication with each other simultaneously in a single graphical object. In this way, the user would get a quick overview of what possible correlation exists between the various information, measurements or process parameters. The object of the present invention is therefore to generate objects from two or more related data sets received from a server as a data stream, and to automatically and at the same time virtually n-dimensionally store those objects having a number (n) of context and time-dependent forms of expression visually display.

This object is achieved by a system for object-oriented data management of information processes with the features of claim 1.

In the context of the present invention, "content data" means any type of data that has processable and user-relevant content. These can be, for example, measured values that represent conditions in a production facility, information about pollutant emissions from road users, traffic density on roads, waterways and air traffic routes, or information that maps monetary financial processes. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples; therefore, this list is to be understood only as an example. Other types of content data are not excluded from the present invention.

The target format of the electronic content data transmitted to the client computer is the presentation methodology of the electronic content data with which these transmitted content data are displayed on the display unit of the client computer. This means that the electronic content data, which usually consists of numbers and to which a certain information content can be assigned, is displayed in a different, more understandable way on the client computer; they are therefore presented in a different format, the target format, which, however, represents the same information content originally associated with the electronic content data.

The technical interface designates a system-controlled application which filters the electronic content data arriving from an external computer network and forwards it system-internally for processing to the corresponding module in the system according to the invention.

The object-oriented data format is the presentation method according to the invention of the electronic content data which stores these electronic data in a consistent manner. Text-dependent form of expression consisting of graphic objects, symbols or icons, which can also be distinguished by their assigned color or size. The intrinsic procedure for generating a corresponding graphical symbol with equivalent information content from electronic content data is referred to as the conversion rule implemented in the system according to the invention.

Among a number (n) of contextual and time-dependent forms of expression of the graphical objects that are simultaneously optically displayed n-dimensionally, it should be understood that the total information content for each generated graphical object is composed of a certain number of dimensions or degrees of freedom be displayed simultaneously and are detectable for the user. For example, a graphical object that is intended to represent financial information may be arranged to simultaneously display the price, revenue, time, and performance of the particular security at any given time. Consequently, this graphic object or its information content consists of four dimensions or degrees of freedom (price, turnover, time, performance). For example, a graphical object for displaying traffic information may simultaneously display the current and cumulative vehicle traffic, time, and traffic density changes at any one time. These dimensions can also be related, as shown in these examples.

Among the degrees of freedom that a graphical object may have is to understand that visual parameters such as the shape, color, or positioning of the graphical object within a reference range determine the information content of the particular graphical object.

The electronic content data converted into graphic objects can be interactively edited by the user, i. the user has the possibility of directly influencing the graphic object represented on the display unit of the client computer by specific pre-assigned mouse and / or key combinations, its appearance, position and / or type and additional information assigned to the graphical objects retrieve.

An essential point of the present invention is that regardless of the type of information, measured values or, more generally, of the content data, the genes Realization of graphical objects can be done in real time. At the same time, the graphical objects can display several different types of information that can be linked together. The graphic-generated graphical object combines a certain number of dimensions, each dimension being understood as one unit of information. The multidimensionality of the graphical objects is an essential feature of these graphical objects and forms the core idea of the inventive principle that the described system for object-oriented data management of information processes is based.

As already explained, the system according to the invention can be used for object-oriented data management of information processes, for example in the preparation of traffic data, in order to determine the current and also cumulated traffic load on motorways over a selected period of time and to present it in a suitable manner, or also for the preparation of the current and cumulated pollution on motorways, or in the field of securities trading of exchanges for the preparation and presentation of market prices and securities turnover. In the latter example, the processing of stock market data, it would then be possible, for example, to map the sales and stock price of a security with a single graphic object. In this case - as in the other application examples - a single graphical object, which takes over the task of a multifunctional information carrier, several information drawn from the Conent data assigned. This has the advantage that a large amount of information, which until now could only be considered separately, can be displayed simultaneously. If this information is dependent on one another as the cause-effect variables, then the system according to the invention additionally promotes the intuitive understanding of the complex relationships of the pictorially represented information or process parameters.

In this case, the information content of a graphic object is specified by a form of expression assigned to it. In addition, with the visual parameters of shape, color, size and positioning of a graphic object within a defined reference range, a certain number of degrees of freedom are available to meaningfully combine a variety of information using a single graphical object. This has the advantage that a user on a client computer can detect and assign the ever-changing information content of the graphical object at a glance, and nevertheless retains the overview of a large number of graphical objects on the display unit of the client computer, since the individual computers dargestell- graphic objects are visually distinct from each other. In addition, by automatically adapting the specific form of expression of a graphic object, one can more purposefully respond to the ideas of the addressed target group.

With the system according to the invention, it is possible to adapt the specific form of expression of the graphic objects as an information carrier in real time, if more up-to-date values or measured data of a technical system are available. Translated to an example of an exchange application where stock market data is to be processed and presented, the price history of a security represented by a corresponding graphical asset could be dynamically adjusted during active trading hours of the stock market. This allows the user to observe in real time the performance of the selected security. The individual stages of the price development at defined times, ie the specific form of the selected information carrier at a defined time, are frozen and presented, so that the current daily price development of the security is comprehensible at a glance. The explanations for this example can be easily transferred to the traffic data application by the current and cumulated traffic load of one or more highways represented by corresponding graphical objects and dynamically adjusted. This allows the user - for example, a traffic control association or the police - to observe in real time the evolution of traffic density on certain roads.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The system advantageously provides that each generated form of expression of the graphic object depicted in the display device of the client computer is dependent on the information content of the content data transmitted to the client computer. Based on the example of the evaluation and presentation of traffic data, this means that the graphical object is displayed in the form of a symbol, for example, in a large traffic on a highway greater than in a smaller volume of traffic and that shown in decreasing the cumulative traffic in a coordinate system below would be the case if there were an increase in cumulative traffic. In terms of the processing and presentation of stock market data, this would mean that a larger turnover with a certain security generates a larger symbol and this symbol in a price Winn in that coordinate system would be presented earlier than is the case with a price loss. Price gains or price losses or increases in traffic density or their reduction could, for example, be made so plausible that in a coordinate system profits or increases above the X-axis and losses or decreases below the X-axis would be located.

Preferably, in the system according to the invention, each form of expression of the imaged object on the display device of the client computer can be in shape, size, color and positioning within a defined field, for example a coordinate system consisting of X-axis and Y-axis, of other imaged graphic objects differ. The attributes of shape, size, color and positioning are merely possible embodiments of the n-dimensional representation of the total information content of the content data within the n degrees of freedom described at the outset. It has already been explained above that with the system according to the invention it is possible to adapt how specific form of expression of the graphic objects as information carriers in real time, if more up-to-date values or measured data are available. Preferably, therefore, it is provided to dynamically aufpudatieren the specific form of expression of the graphical objects in order to map the information content associated with the graphic object as a function of time.

An advantageous development of the graphical objects is that the information carrier can take over the function of interactive buttons. The graphical objects can be information-processing events such as e.g. trigger the display of contextual information in the form of messages, comments, speech bubbles, etc. This can be controlled automatically by the system. However, it is also envisaged that the user can trigger these events by mouse actions themselves, thereby expanding his radius of interaction.

For a clear arrangement of the graphic objects within an application, it is provided that the graphic objects are placed within a defined field provided with boundary markings. The relative position of a graphic object within this field can then be a criterion for the current value at a particular point in time.

According to another advantageous development of the system according to the invention, the graphic objects within a delimited area of a course field are dynamic whose components are composed of rigid and dynamic objects.

A further advantageous development of the system according to the invention consists in that the region of the gradient field can be subdivided such that the position of the graphical objects within the gradient field represents another characteristic feature for the status of the content data at a defined point in time. Applied to a stock market application, this means that these graphic objects are dynamically placed within a delineated area of a so-called stock price history field. In this way, stock exchanges always keep a close track of the current status of the price / revenue performance of their selected security. The stock market development field is also advantageously subdivided in such a way that due to the relative position of the graphic objects at a defined time on the current price performance of the selected security can be concluded, so that a single field is sufficient to represent exchange-relevant information, which is the clarity considerably expanded.

In an advantageous development, it is provided for the progress field that interactive online services can be integrated within a delimited area of the progress field. These online services enable a user to retrieve additional information and / or communicate with other participants in a virtual network, for example through chat / blogging functionality. At the same time, however, the user keeps track of the current status of the development of his tracked history so that he can respond to changes at any time without having to switch between different views.

For the application of the system according to the invention, two alternatives are provided by way of example:

On the one hand, the system can advantageously be designed for an exchange application, wherein the content data received from the host computer and transmitted to the client computer is stock market data (market value, securities turnover).

Within this application alternative of the system according to the invention can be provided in an advantageous manner, the transmitted content data according to definable categories and regulations automatically in an interactive map, a so-called Securities Map, the "stock selection account", are transformable. In it, for the previously selected country, which represents a particular stock exchange, selected stock market prices by branches and company affiliation are listed with their price development histories. Because of this listing, the stock market can easily put together his individual securities deposit, with which he can now act. Each category in the stock selection account is also assigned a color code assigned to it which is used throughout to simplify the assignment of a stock market value to a corresponding category. The interactive map can change dynamically and is continuously adapted by the system in its form of expression to the currently delivered content data.

The stock selection account custom selection of securities with which the stock exchange would like to trade, are summarized in an advantageous development in an interactive securities account, the test account. The dynamically variable price values of the selected securities are represented in the manner already described by characteristic, likewise dynamically variable manifestations of graphical objects, so that the stock market audience receives an immediate overview of the current price status of the selected securities in its test account with which it to the stock market opening time. The test account shows the stock market layman in a practical way always the current balance, which results from the transactions of the stock market laymen, so that the stock market audience is informed about the effects of its transactions at any time. Furthermore, it can be provided that the overall result of the transactions made by the stock market participants with the securities selected by them subsequently be summarized in another interactive securities account, the so-called profit account. In this presentation as well, only graphical objects are used as information carriers, so that the stock exchange can immediately grasp the effects of its transactions.

In a further advantageous development of the described system, it is provided that the functional feature configuration of the various views within the application, such as stock market price history field, test account and profit account, is automatically adaptable to the prior knowledge of the stock market layman. In this way, stockbrokers who have no background or experience in dealing with stock market information are not confronted with information and functionalities that are initially incomprehensible to them. In a first level, therefore, they have only those basic functions at their disposal that allow a minimal understanding of the handling of securities necessary. However, if the Börselaie has familiarized itself with the basic terms and rules of the stock exchange transaction, it can call up additional functionalities and additional stock-relevant information through interactive selection on a second level.

The second exemplary alternative application for the system according to the invention provides for preparation and display of traffic data. For this purpose, it is advantageously provided that the content data received from the host computer and transmitted to the client computer is traffic data (current and accumulated volume of road, air or water vehicles). Such an application may be useful, for example, for traffic monitoring of both highways and other roads, as well as for air corridors or shipping lanes.

In a consistent development of this application alternative is provided in an advantageous manner that the transmitted content data according to definable categories and regulations are automatically transformable into an interactive and real-time dynamically changing traffic map or -Seekarte or flight map, from which the user certain traffic routes to Observation of traffic development can select. The n-dimensional representation of the information content that can be displayed with the graphical objects can hereby be represented in a manner similar to a current or accumulated traffic density, as explained in the stock market example.

For example, provision may also be made for the user-defined selection of the traffic routes to be summarized in an interactive traffic route table, wherein the dynamically variable traffic data of the selected traffic routes are represented therein by characteristic forms of expression of the graphical objects. Thus, the system according to the invention could readily be used to monitor maritime and maritime shipping routes, for example in the traffic separation zone of the English Channel.

By way of example, the system according to the invention can also be designed to process user-relevant information transmitted by a client computer to the system. In this way, a user can deposit individual data or information on the system, which preferably represents a server, and, if necessary, at a later time by a corresponding request from a client computer retrieve from. These user-relevant data can be stored on the system or server in so-called user profiles. User profiles contain individual records of individual users. It would be conceivable, for example, for an exchange application of the system according to the invention, that the user transmits from his client computer from the system the task of automatically and independently carrying out certain transactions such as the purchase or sale of a security up to a certain limit in its absence. The system then saves this data in the user profile. If the user logs back into the system at a later date, he can view the result of the transaction he has requested by means of a request or a call to his user profile.

With regard to the progress field, provision may be made for using its free space for the placement of interactive advertising information contents, such as online displays. This gives companies the opportunity to target-oriented advertising by providing additional information on a wide range of topics, products and services. The online advertisements in combination of images, texts or interactive elements that respond to user interactions can move across the area of the gradient field.

The duration of the advertisement displayed, i. the online presence or time in which the advertising content is visible to the logged-in user can be configured accordingly by the system. The time provided for the online presence of the advertising information content to be displayed can also be made dependent on a rental fee, which the advertising customer pays in advance to the corresponding provider. The advertiser thus buys online time in order to advertise his products in the course of the course, for example in the market price development field. However, this form of advertising would not be limited exclusively to the stock market development field of the application and can also be implemented in other display fields and menus of the application according to the invention in accordance with the wishes and specifications of the customers.

With regard to the stock market trading application example of the system according to the invention, the term and the way in which the advertising information content is displayed online can also be adapted advantageously to the operating hours or opening hours of the stock exchange marketplaces available worldwide which the user selects. chooses. However, it would also be conceivable that even after the close of stock market, when the price of stock market activity is displayed for the virtual stock market space selected by the user, the free areas of the market price history field are used to place advertising information content. The logged-in user then has the option of either viewing the displayed advertising information content, or of revising the price history of a selected period of time, for example the past day of his preferred virtual stock market marketplace. Thus, the advertiser has an online platform at his disposal, which allows him to place his advertising content according to target groups at selected intervals. Of course, the form and format of the displayed ad content during the online time booked by the system are also configurable. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the content of the displayed advertising information content is adapted to the interests of the logged-in user or his user profile, if the user makes this information publicly available and agrees that personalized advertising information content may be displayed to him. This form of personalized advertising provides for both sides the following win-win situation: the advertiser offers a potential customer only advertising content about those products online that could be of interest to the customer. The customer, on the other hand, is spared any advertising content that does not interest him or does not match his user profile.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and with the aid of figures.

Hereby show:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the structure of the system according to the invention and its connection to external data processing systems.

2 shows a schematic representation of data streams and internal processes between a client computer and the system according to the invention;

3 shows a first exemplary implementation of the present invention in the field of stock exchange trading;

4 shows a second exemplary implementation of the present invention in the field of traffic; 5 shows a first object-oriented representation of the traffic conductance values in a pie chart;

6 shows a second object-oriented representation of the traffic-conducting values in a coordinate system representation;

FIG. 7a shows a two-dimensional representation of the homepage of the Internet site for selecting the respective country; FIG.

FIG. 7b shows an alternative two-dimensional representation of the start page for selecting the respective country; FIG.

8a shows a two-dimensional representation of the stock market selection account with a detailed representation of the cataloged distribution of the selectable stock market prices in tabular form;

8b shows an alternative two-dimensional representation of the stock market selection account with a detailed representation of the cataloged distribution of the selectable market prices as a pie chart;

9 shows a two-dimensional representation of the stock market price development field with graphic objects according to the invention;

10 shows a two-dimensional illustration of the stock market price development field with a dynamically positionable placeholder for the integration of interactive online services;

11 shows a two-dimensional representation of an interactive securities account (test account) with a detailed representation of the daily result achieved;

Fig. 12 is a two-dimensional representation of an interactive profit account; 12a shows a two-dimensional representation of an interactive profit account with detailed value specification on the purchase day X;

FIG. 12b shows a two-dimensional representation of an interactive profit account with detailed value specification on the day Y after the purchase day; FIG. Fig. 12c is a two-dimensional representation of the result obtained on the day Y after the purchase date.

FIG. 13 shows a representation of the market price development field with integrated advertising information content; FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a two-dimensional representation of the purchase account; FIG.

Fig. 15 is a two-dimensional representation of the sales account;

16 shows a two-dimensional representation of the inventory account;

17 shows a two-dimensional representation of the history account;

The system according to the invention from system-oriented view will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows the system according to the invention with the modules 5, 8, 9 and 12 with its connections to external and internal interfaces. In this case, from an external computer network 6, which may consist of a variety of other computers, electronic content data 1 supplied, which are transmitted via a technical interface 7 to the system. The system stores the supplied content data 1 in a memory within the system and sends the electronic content data 1 as a data stream to the client computer 3 when a client computer 3 requests it. The system also generates control data 4 which is provided at Request a client computer 3 are also sent as a data stream to the client computer 3. The control data 4 are stored in a memory of the client computer 3. The client computer 3 now transforms the content data 1 into a new target format using the control data 4 containing a conversion rule, so that in this way graphic objects are created which have a certain number n dimensions and which are displayed on a display device 11 of the client computer 3 are displayed.

FIG. 2 below explains the system-internal processes between the system, which can be configured as a server, and a client computer 3 in a more detailed representation. In a first step, the control data 4, which may contain various methods and procedures, are first transmitted to the client computer 3 connected to the system with a first data stream at the request of a client computer 3. In the client computer 3, the control data 4 are stored locally in the working memory. In a second step, on request of the client computer 3, certain data records, in this case content data 1, are delivered with a second data stream. This content data 1 can be, for example, financial, traffic or process data or data from other technical information processes of external technical systems and are processed in real time at the client computer 3 using the control data 4 to application data 10, which are graphical objects mapped with a number of n dimensions. If necessary, that means if there is more up-to-date content data, the second data stream is either automatically updated by the server or by an automated request from the client computer 3 to the system, so that the forms of expression of the graphic and multidimensional objects to be displayed on the output unit 11 of the client computer 3 can be adapted in real time to the state change of the technical information process to be observed. The server or the system therefore does not transmit finished graphics in the form of graphic objects, but merely generates specifications for the utilization of the relevant object information in the form of control data and delivers them to the client computer 3 to be requested synchronously with the associated information. The first data stream for the Control data 4 can be transmitted to the client computer 3 independently of the second data stream of the content data 1. On the other hand, it is also possible that due to command data 13 of a user, which are sent as a third data stream from the client computer 3 to the system, the operation of the system can be influenced, for example, stored on the system data in a User profile or in a stock account account to change accordingly, save or call. The system then sends a confirmation that the commands sent by the user have been saved in their user profile. In the event that the connection between the system and the client computer 3 is interrupted, for example because the user has logged out or the client computer 3 is offline for other reasons, it is provided that the system automatically generates a fourth data stream which runs through system-internal routines based on the commands stored by the user. If the client computer 3 is then reconnected to the system and the user or user again sends commands to the system, then the system sends the current states of the user profile to the client computer 3. For a better understanding of the present invention, this will be explained in more detail below on two practical application examples. The first example relates to an application for real-time presentation of information about securities traded on one or more selected stock exchanges to map the price performance of the user-selected securities in real-time on a user's client machine. The second example shows how the present invention can be used to process and map content data that are present as recorded measured values, for example in the form of traffic data. Thus, for example, a current and accumulated advent of road, air or water vehicles for the traffic monitoring of both highways and other roads as well as air corridors or shipping lanes detected and corresponding to a current and real-time generated display of graphical objects with a number (n ) Contextual and time-dependent forms of expression are clearly displayed. In this way, a user is enabled to initiate additional measures in a technical system to be monitored on the basis of the information or process parameters presented, which influence a technical information process of a technical system.

1st example: stock market trading

Successful trading in listed securities requires the identification and monitoring of the parameters that significantly influence the value of the security from a variety of different information.

But newcomers, in particular, often face a world incomprehensible to them, which seems to consist of innumerable new concepts and unknown customs. The capture of sometimes complex market and action mechanisms that can determine the course of a security price course, requires seemingly detailed expertise and often overwhelmed the stock market newcomers. In doing so, they have to make important, ie risky, decisions right from the start, which have a direct impact on monetary input. Knowledgeable and rapid selection and interpretation of information can therefore be critical to success in this business world. However, the current state of the art often makes it difficult for the newcomer to gain access to this field of business, unless he is prepared to deal in detail with the relevant technical terminology and regulations. In the process, a good starting point would have been created with the multitude and diversity of communication media offered, which today are available almost independently of time and place. Classic information channels such as television, radio and print media, but above all the so-called new media with the Internet and its diverse and interactive information on websites, e-mail, chat rooms or online blogging provide up-to-date information at almost any time, so they are for the use of exchange-relevant business applications are best suited. The advantage of worldwide access to any information is offset by the serious disadvantage that the newcomer must choose from a variety of information. The understanding of the stock market language and stock market symbols, with which this information is coded and which are consistently used in the mentioned information channels, can not be presupposed by a newcomer. Thus, an artificial access barrier is first erected, which the newcomer can only overcome by time-consuming preoccupation with matter.

In addition, the existing information offers on rules and interactions in trading in listed securities for stockbrokers are anything but motivating and self-explanatory constructed: usually the stock exchange Laie sees the stock market information only in numbers and diagrams with the appropriate technical terms, their complex relationship Only the stock market expert at first glance opens up. The often risky decision as to which information might be relevant for the stock market laypeople has so far had to hit the stock market alone and still bear the consequences that can have far-reaching effects, especially on the stock exchange. Learning the basic principles of trading in securities often follows the try-and-error principle. The varied information offers are therefore no real help for the stock market layman in this phase, in order to tap into the hitherto unknown terrain.

An essential point of the present invention in relation to the present example in the field of interactive trading in securities on the stock exchange is therefore that stock-relevant content data, that is data directly from one or more selected, existing worldwide virtual stock exchanges or other external Providers are presented exclusively with graphical objects that combine several dimensions of informational parameters. This ensures that even complex facts and contexts, such as those involved in trading with value can be brought to the marketplace by graphical objects so comprehensible and motivating that it interprets the important information for him intuitively correct and fast, solely because of the form of expression of the graphic objects. In this way, the stock market audience gradually gains the competence to recognize complex correlations when trading in securities, to logically interpret stock exchange-relevant information and to use it for corresponding decisions, using the interactive system of the system, which carefully introduces it into the stock market world, taking into account its prior knowledge ,

The present invention, by way of example transferred to the field of securities trading, will now be presented in the form of four stages with reference to FIG. 3:

1st stage - World Stock Exchange:

In the first stage, the user selects from a security map 14 the interesting for him stock exchange. The interactive graphics of the map 14 is implemented so that the user can select the respective stock market of a country by clicking on a specific region within the map 14.

2nd stage - daily course sheet:

The selection of a stock exchange leads the user directly to the second stage, the market price history field or "daily price sheet". This daily price sheet corresponds to the leading index of a country, for example the DAX or the Dow Jones, which in turn leads to the so-called "corona" (see the following third stage), in which individual state values (eg BMW, Deutsche Bank) can be selected For example, the stock value selected for the user, such as those for the DAX, is displayed when the user selects the country Germany as the stock exchange in the first stage The presentation of the individual securities with their performance over a defined period of time or about the current daily turnover on the previous day This is done with graphical objects that change their form of expression context- and time-dependent.As each graphic object has the property of simultaneously representing a certain number of n dimensions, ie information units that are correlated with one another, a large amount of information can be obtained in this way The graphically In addition, objects can be interactively edited by the user. That means it You can retrieve additional information about the selected graphic object that corresponds to a specific security at any time.

3rd stage - corona:

The corona, a circular representation, contains an interactive and real-time overview of securities presented as graphical and multi-dimensional objects that the user can assemble into a share deposit account that is also graphically displayed. Furthermore, the corona contains various areas that, for example, assign the displayed securities to the industries and companies. A corresponding mouse click of a user on a graphic object within the corona takes him either to the daily course sheet or on request to his individual share account.

4th stage - Stock accounts:

In the Share Deposit Account, which contains the securities selected by the user, the current gain and loss can be displayed over a defined period of the securities holdings. Initially, the display is exclusively made using graphic objects. If necessary, however, a display of the corresponding numerical values can also be added.

In the following, different embodiments of the application example "stock market trading" are illustrated and explained in more detail with reference to further FIGS. 7a to 17.

FIG. 7a shows the homepage of the website of the application. On the start page, the user first selects from column 17.1 the country whose stock market values and indexes he wants to trade. In addition, the user is shown in the column 17.2 "Price today" the current price trends of the country-specific stock market indices as a graphic symbol.An alternative view for selecting a country and the respective stock exchange place is shown in Figure 7b.The interactive map and its areas can be selected by the user Click with a mouse click, so that additional information is displayed In the figure 7b is exemplified as country Germany with the DAX as a stock market place, which was previously selected by a user on the map. In the security map 14 of FIG. 8a, also called "stock option account", the user can select from a pool of world-wide stock exchanges whose most important securities and stock market indices are listed, his favorite securities with which he wishes to speculate. The user has categories such as listed collective values 14.2, which display the stock market indices of the participating countries, types of industries 14.3, such as banks and the automotive industry, and the goodwill 14.4 associated with the types of industries. The fields of the respective categories are coded in each case with a significant color assigned to the category, so that the user quickly grasps the meaning of the respective fields. The significant color coding also remains in the various representations. Furthermore, in the stock market selection account 14, it is possible to keep track of the daily and historical performance of the respective securities displayed. This is indicated by a corresponding graphic symbol 14.10 eg with a "+" or "-" sign for rising or falling price development or a numerical value in the columns 14.1 "date", 14.5 "month" for the historical monthly rate development, in the column 14.6 "Year" for Historical Development of the Year and shown in column 14.8 "Dividend" for indication of dividend distribution. The graphic characters to be entered in the respective columns correspond to certain listed numerical values for the daily, monthly and annual price development, which are delivered as content data via a technical interface 7 and transformed for presentation in the stock selection account 14. As can also be seen from FIG. 8a, each sector shown has an industry-specific pictogram 14.9. The selection of the user's securities is then transferred to the individual securities account or "test account" 15 and to the user's profit account 20 (see Figures 11 and 12) Furthermore, the stock selection account 14 provides that the companies listed in column 14.3 " Industry type ", can advertise nationally or internationally on their respective sales and course element page (not shown). The sales and course element page is a special page that lists the user's data relating to sales and market values.

8b shows an alternative representation to FIG. 8a in a circular diagram, the so-called "corona." The corona is subdivided into individual sections, which assign the individual securities, which are represented in the form of graphic objects, to the various industries and stock exchanges The corona has interactive functions, for one thing, its form can change automatically, which means that at any time the division of the categories "branches" or "stock exchange On the other hand, by interactive selection and click on a graphic object, the user can retrieve further information or change to another graphical representation, for example to a daily course sheet or to his personal share portfolio account which displays further information on one or more selected securities.

FIG. 9 shows a market price development field 16 which records and displays the daily updated price development of a selected security. The respective selected security is displayed in the form of a graphic object 18, 23, which travels across the field during the stock market maturity. The field contains a virtual coordinate system, in which invisible horizontal and vertical reference lines are deposited, by means of which a corresponding information content can be assigned and read on the basis of the position of a graphic object 18. In the horizontal direction of the virtual coordinate system, the field is in time zones, e.g. divided into lesson 19 to simulate the duration of a full trading day so that the price of the selected security can be tracked at any time. Corresponding graphical symbols 20 for the sunrise and 21 for the sunset mark for the user the beginning or end of the stock market. The position of a graphic object 18, 23 in the vertical direction assigns this each a certain positive or negative result.

Each graphical object 18, 23 has the property a certain number n dimensions, that is, information or information units that are related to each other, simultaneously. Due to the form of the graphical object, it is therefore possible to map price and sales information, each of which represents one dimension of the graphic object, with only a single graphical object. This is achieved by appropriate coding in the color and shape of a graphic object, the form of which changes depending on the current price development in real time. Each specific form of expression of a graphical object 18, 23 is further associated with corresponding security data, another dimension of a graphical object, which are delivered from the exchange to the interface 7. These delivered stock market numbers are transformed in the stock price course field 16 according to the described method, so that the position and form of expression of a graphic object 18, 23 is controlled exclusively by the stock market values to which the graphic object is coupled. Likewise, graphical objects can be used to create system or representing process-related events caused or recorded by an external technical system, such as lapses, corresponding to one of the dimensions of the graphical object.

A graphical object, in addition to its flexibly couplable information content over its number of available dimensions, is also an interactive feature that can display system or user-triggered information as needed or on demand. For example, in one embodiment, when the user clicks on a graphical object, the user is provided with additional information, e.g. Speech bubbles, etc., can retrieve.

The stock market price development field 16 continues to consist of rigid and variable elements. A rigid element may be about a horizontal centerline 22 that divides the field into upper and lower halves. As a result, the two divided sections of the field can each be assigned an additional visual information content, which can be expressed, for example, in a dynamically changed background color. In a further embodiment, for example, it is provided that a graphic object 23, which is located above the center line, is assigned a positive course and conversion value by a corresponding color value and a corresponding form of expression; if, on the other hand, the graphic object is located below the center line in the field section, the graphic object 18 receives another corresponding form of expression in order to symbolize its negative price and conversion value. The variable elements in stock market price field 16 consist of graphical objects, colors, charts, pictograms and similar visual aids.

FIG. 10 shows a market price development field 16 in which placeholders are provided for integration of online services. A free area 24 within the stock market price development field 16 can therefore be used to provide the user with interactive online services and / or up-to-date information, such as the individual transaction status of the securities traded. In an exemplary embodiment, interactive applications with chat and / or blogging functions would be conceivable in order to enable the communication of the networked users to one another. Similarly, the free area 24 could be used as an advertising medium for companies. The size and position of this free space, which is intended for such interactive services, is dynamically configurable and shifts with the progression of the Börsentages on a virtual horizontal line to the right, so that each of the illustrated graphical objects 18, 23 remain visible to the user.

In the test account 15, which is shown in an exemplary form in FIG. 11, a certain number of daily values 32 of the group values, industry type and individual goodwill are displayed which the user is in from his stock selection account 14, for example by drag-and-drop function Test account 15 transmits. For this purpose, the user buys a certain number of securities on the day of purchase for a fixed amount, the stock price of which can then be observed in stock market price development 16. The test account 15 represents the performance of the selected securities on the day of purchase by a first day test account 30a and the day after the purchase day by a second day test account 30b. After a certain period of time, such as one week, the user may also choose the selected securities by others change. The test account 15 itself is connected to the technical interface 7, which transmits the current variable values of the securities to be observed to the test account 15, so that the price performance of the registered securities can be tracked by the user at run-time in real time. In addition, in the present embodiment of the test account in FIG. 11, the positive and negative results from the trade of the user with the individual securities in bar form are displayed as profit and loss items 41. The length of a bar is in direct proportion to the current price of a security. If the reference mark, ie the value of a security on a day X, for example at a value of 100 euros, and the bar goes beyond, then this is an indication of the increase in the value of a share. The same applies if the bar falls below the reference mark. Then this is a sign that the security has lost value compared to an earlier point in time, such as the previous day. The color of a bar changes depending on whether the security assigned to it has gained or lost value.

After the close of trading on a specific exchange trading day, as can be seen on the respective date 46 in FIG. 12, the user is shown in his profit account 40 in FIG. 12 a correspondingly positive or negative balance 42. The balance 42 results from adding and subtracting the individual values from the illustrated day test accounts 30a and 30b of FIG. 10. The profit account 40 displays the user's daily positive and negative results the day after the purchase of the corresponding securities with graphic objects. The automatic update of the profit account in FIG. 12 takes place in real time. Each internet subscriber may have one or more profit accounts set up. Each profit account is provided with a notional amount of money in the relevant country currency on the day of purchase X, which the user can use to speculate on securities selected by him. In a further use of the profit account 40, the user can, for example, submit his achieved daily result as part of a raffle. The profit account with the highest daily surplus will receive the amount that is more than the sum of the day of purchase. Likewise the worst result of the profit account is awarded.

In further illustrations of FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c of a profit account 40, the illustration from FIG. 12 has been rotated by 90 degrees. Also in this view, the bar length is a proportional measure of the current value of a file. In addition, the corresponding values 50 of the respective securities are now displayed in numerical values. In FIG. 12a, the respective shares 53 of the individual securities are listed and assigned to a reference value 50 which represents the value of a security at the specified time X. FIG. 12b shows the status of the profit account at another time Y, which is generally later than in FIG. 12a. The changed market values 57 of the individual securities are now displayed by the changed bar length and the corresponding numerical values 57. In FIG. 12c, the positive or negative result 60 of the securities trading is subsequently determined and displayed at the time Y from FIG. 12b, which results from the difference of the results of the individual stock values 57 from FIG. 12b with the inserted amount 62 of the overall investment in FIG. 12c ,

FIG. 13 shows a market price course field 16 which is identical with respect to the mode of operation of the representation from FIG. However, advertising information content is now integrated into this market price development field. This advertising information content, which can move in the background over the entire surface of the stock market price history field 16, can be time-controlled, ie their online display may depend, among other things, on the online time that an advertising customer books against payment of a corresponding fee. In one embodiment, it is additionally provided that the type of presentation of the displayed advertising information content changes with the daily, monthly or annual course of the stock market price. FIG. 13 shows, for example, an embodiment in which the background image for the advertising information content to be displayed is continuously replaced by an area with reduced transparency as the course of the day progresses at a selected virtual stock market marketplace. For example, at 12 o'clock on the selected exchange time already 50% of the background image is obscured. By the close of trading, on the other hand, it would be 100%, ie the advertising content would be at that Time fully covered and no longer visible to the logged in customer. In this way, but not limited to this embodiment, advertising information contents displayed at a certain speed could be successively faded in and out and thus the correlation between booked online time and displayed advertising content can be mapped.

Another possibility for the clear presentation of the status, the change in the market value and the financial gain or loss achieved by the purchase or sale of selected securities of a user over a defined period of time will be explained below with reference to Figures 14 to 17.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary representation of a purchase account in which the current values of the securities selected by the user are entered. In Table 70, on a scale, different amounts are given for purchase totals in numerical values. In the table 71 of the purchase account, the current values of the individual, selected by the user securities are entered, with a column for each security provided in the table. The height of the bar 72 within the column 73 corresponds to an amount of the respective purchase price for a particular security. For example, the user-specified purchase price for the "BMW" security is approximately € 8,500, with the respective purchase price of the selected security automatically being set off against the user-determined purchase price.

1. The user buys a selected security without limitation. This means that the number of shares that can be purchased at a fixed market price will be determined by the user and there will be no pre-determined purchase price by the user within a certain period of time. In column 75, which for example indicates the current value of the DAX, a horizontal boundary line 77 is shown, which corresponds to a purchase sum. The height of the bar above this delineator line 77 indicates that the user has purchased additional securities, which translates into an increased amount for the purchase price.

2. The user buys securities with limitation. That is, the user sets a purchase sum and sets a limit by horizontal boundary line 73 in column 72, which indicates the current status for the security BMW on a purchase day 74. In addition, the user defines the period in which the system is to autonomously monitor the price of the selected security. If the price rises or falls within the specified time period up to a limit set by the user, ie market value, the system will automatically prompt to buy the selected security. This process is repeated until the previously set by the user purchase price is reached. Columns 72 and 75 in Table 71 indicate the current status of the purchased security at a particular buy day 74, where the date of purchase of a registered security in each column may be different.

Figure 15 shows the presentation of a sales account informing the user of the current status of selected securities that the user wishes to sell. The principle corresponds to that, as has also been described with reference to FIG. 14. In Table 80, numerical values representing sales amounts that can be selected by the user are entered on a scale. In Table 81, individual columns are entered, each column representing a security selected by the user. Each column provides information about how the current security status of a security is on a selected sales day. The user can choose between two sell options - sell without limit and sell with limit:

a) The status of a security on a sales day on which the user sells the security without limit is illustrated in column 86 of table 81. The upper limit of the bar corresponds to the current sales amount of 7000 euro at a defined time on the relevant sales day. Since the user does not set a sell sum limit, the system will sell in real time the number of securities that match the current and modifiable sales amount entered by the user. The horizontal line 85 in column 86 indicates the initially set by the user limit for a sales sum, but - since no limit was set - can be exceeded, so that the bar over the horizontal line 85 runs out.

b) The status, ie the value of a security on a sales day, when the user sells the fixed limit security, is illustrated in column 83 of table 81. The user sets an amount for a sales amount up to which the system automatically selects one Sell securities with a defined market value within a period of time specified by the user. The bar portion 84 with the minus sign in column 83 indicates what amount - corresponding to a certain number of securities - has already been sold by the system and what financial loss the user has incurred by selling the security suffered. A plus sign in the bar section, as illustrated, for example, in column 87 with the bar section 88, shows that the sale of the respective security was a financial gain to the user.

FIG. 16 shows by way of example an embodiment of an inventory account. The inventory account displays the current values of registered securities and also provides information about the gains or losses a security has experienced as a result of a price decline or price increase on a particular day. The table 90 indicates on a scale different amounts, which correspond to a purchase amount. In column 94 of Table 91, the current status of a security at a date 92 is displayed. A bar section 95 with a minus sign in column 94 indicates the balance of the respective security. In this case, the user has suffered a loss on the selected security BMW as the market value of the security has fallen. A plus sign in the bar section 98 of column 97, on the other hand, indicates that a profit could be booked for the respective security due to a price increase.

Figure 17 shows a history account listing all securities sold by the user with the respective positive and negative results. A balance is automatically created that shows the results of the securities sold. For example, in column 104 of table 102, a bar portion 105 with a minus sign informs the user that the security has made an overall negative result because the market value of the security has fallen. However, the bar portion 107 with a plus sign in the column 106 indicates to the user that the security has achieved a positive result due to a price rise. The respective sum of the gained profit or loss can be read on a scale "purchase sum" 101.

2nd example: traffic control system

The present invention can also be used to map an information content of technical measured values, as recorded and processed, for example, in traffic management systems, in accordance with context and situation in accordance with n-dimensional graphical objects. In the following example, the present invention has been applied to a known traffic control traffic monitoring system for mapping the amount of CO ₂ pollutant from a number of vehicles to be detected over a defined period of time based on the inventive concept. The basic procedure of this example is outlined by way of example with reference to FIG. 4 and explained in more detail below.

From a measuring control center 110 of any road section with vehicle traffic, measured values in the form of traffic volumes by number of vehicles, vehicle type and type, including the speed values of each vehicle, are recorded and assigned accordingly in a predetermined time interval. In a next step, the acquired measured values are transmitted, for example, to a satellite 120 via radio link, which forwards the transmitted traffic data to a server 130 in an IT center of a ground station. The server 130 now provides for the corresponding processing of the measured values received by the satellite 120, which are initially stored in the server 130. For example, the measured values of one day from 0 o'clock to 14 o'clock are stored in the server 130. From the measured values, the server 130 then determines the traffic volume at a full hour in comparison to another, ie previous, hour according to its program-specific specifications. Furthermore, the server 130 can be designed, for example, to determine the CO ₂ values of the individual vehicle types on the basis of the data or measured values transmitted to it by the satellite. These determined values are then sent on request of a client computer 3 to the corresponding client computer 3 in a second data stream. Using the control data already stored in the client computer 3 from a previously transmitted first data stream, the measured values of the measurement control center 110 of a particular measurement time are combined and the optical display of traffic volume, CO ₂ emission at a specific time in the form of graphical objects with multi-dimensional characteristics generated in the requesting client computer 3. As already explained at the outset, the information content of the generated graphic objects is expressed in the various dimensions such as, for example, color, size, position and time.

A first possible object-oriented representation of the traffic conductance 100 generated by the client computer 3 shows the pie chart, the corona, with reference to FIG. 5. In this case, the respective CO ₂ pollutant emission at a specific speed is determined as a function of the determined types and types of vehicles. The expression of this circular figure changes in real time, which means that as soon as more up-to-date traffic data is available, the pie chart is recalculated using the control data and displayed on the display unit of the client computer 3. A second possible real-time generated object-oriented representation of traffic volume and its equivalent values will be shown with reference to FIG. Over time, the road users are depicted as graphical objects with the number n of dimensions mentioned at the beginning, whose form of expression is context- and time-dependent. The y position, ie the ordinate of the coordinate system, indicates the CO ₂ pollutant content that road users produce in a given time. The graphic objects unite, as described above, several dimensions which are generated by the client computer 3 from the two data streams - the first data stream for the control data 4 and the second data stream, the content data 1 - from the client computer 3 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 content data

2 host computers

3 client machines

4 control data

5 module for receiving and storing content data

6 computer network

7 Technical interface

8 module for transmitting content data

9 module for generating control data

10 application data

11 display device of a client computer

12 Module for receiving command data

13 command data

14 Security Map or Stock Selection Account

14.1 "Date of Day" column

14.2 "Collection values" column

14.3 "Industry Type" column

14.4 Column "Companies in industry type"

14.5 "Month" column

14.6 "Year" column

14.7 "Industry" column

14.8 Column "Dividend" 14.9 Pictogram for industry value

14.10 graphic sign

15 securities account or test account

16 History field or market price development field

17 Internet presentation

17.1 "Country" column

17.2 Column "Course today"

18 graphic object with negative sales / market value

19 hour sections

20 graphic symbol for sunrise

21 graphic symbol for sunset

22 center line

23 graphical object with positive sales / market value

24 free space for the integration of online interactive services

30a first day test account 30b second day test account 32 daily updated values

40 profit account

41 Profit / loss of securities

42 Total profit / loss 46 Date of the trading day

50 Amount of the value of a security on the day of purchase X

53 Shares of a security

57 Amount of the value of a security on the day of purchase Y

60 Amount of total investment in securities 62 Amount of the total investment invested

70 scale "Purchase price" for purchase account

71 table for purchase account

72 bars for current status of a security

73 boundary line

74 column "Purchase day" 75 bars for current status of a security

80 scale "sales amount"

81 Sales account table

82 column "sales day"

83 bars for current status of a security

84 Bar section with minus sign for financial loss

85 horizontal line as a boundary marker

86 column for a security

87 column for a security

88 bar section with plus sign for financial gain

90 scale "purchase price"

91 Inventory Account Table

92 column "purchase day" / "date"

94 column for a security

95 bar section with minus sign for financial loss

97 column for a security

98 bar section with plus sign for financial gain

101 Scale "Purchase price"

102 History account table

103 column "purchase day" / "date"

104 Column for the status of a security

105 bar section with minus sign for financial loss

106 Column for the status of a security

107 bar section with plus sign for financial gain

110 Messleitwarte

120 satellites

130 server / system

Claims

"System for object-oriented data management of information processes" claims

A system for processing electronic content data (1) received by a host computer (2) for converting the electronic content data (1) on a client computer (3) with control data (4) into a target format that differs from the format in which the content data (1) was received from the host computer (2), this system comprising:

a module (5) for receiving and storing the content data (1) received from the host computer (2) from a computer network (6) via a technical interface (7) on the host computer (2);

a module (8) for transmitting the received content data (1) to a client computer (3) at the request of the client computer (3);

a module (9) for generating the control data (4) on the host computer (2), which at the request of the client computer (3) sent to the client computer (3) and in the memory of the client computer (3) be deposited, wherein the client computer (3) the received content data (1) using the control data (4) by a conversion rule so in application data (10) converts that independent graphical objects (18, 23) with a number of (n) context and time-dependent forms of expression generated and automatically displayed in real time in a display device (11) of the client computer (3) using available degrees of freedom; and a module (12) for receiving command data (13) of the client computer (3) for automatically processing user-relevant information on the host computer (2).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein each generated form of expression in the display device (11) of the client computer (3) mapped graphical object (18, 23) of the information content of the client computer (3) transmitted content data ( 1) is dependent.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each form of expression of the imaged object (18, 23) on the display (11) of the client computer (3) in shape, size, color and positioning within a defined field of other imaged graphic objects ( 18, 23) can differ.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific form of expression of the graphical objects (18, 23) is dynamically updated to reflect the information content associated with the graphic object (18, 23) as a function of time.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the graphical objects (18, 23) are interactive buttons capable of triggering information processing events by user and / or system triggered actions.

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the graphical objects (18, 23) are dynamically placed within a defined area of a gradient field (16) whose components are composed of rigid and dynamic objects.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the region of the gradient field (16) is subdividable such that the position of the graphical objects (18, 23) within the gradient field (16) is another characteristic feature for the status of the content data (1). represents at a defined time.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein within a range of the progress field (16) interactive online services can be integrated.

9. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the of the host computer (2) received and transmitted to the client computer (3) content data (1) stock market data (market value, securities turnover) are.

10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transmitted content data (1) according to definable categories and regulations are automatically transformable into an interactive and in real time dynamically changing securities map (14), from which the user securities to observe the Can select price development.

The system of claim 10, wherein the custom selection of the securities in an interactive securities account (15) is summarized, wherein therein the dynamically-variable market values of the selected securities are represented by characteristic forms of expression of the graphical objects (18, 23).

The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the functional feature design of the rigid and dynamic components and their association is adaptable to the user's prior knowledge.

13. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the of the host computer (2) received and transmitted to the client computer (3) content data (1), traffic data (current and accumulated advent of road, air - or water vehicles) are.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitted content data (1) according to definable categories and regulations are automatically transformable into an interactive and in real time dynamically changing traffic map, from which the user can select specific traffic routes to observe the traffic development.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the user-defined selection of the traffic routes is summarized in an interactive traffic route table, wherein therein the dynamically variable traffic data of the selected traffic routes are represented by characteristic forms of expression of the graphical objects (18, 23).