JP2009175950A - Graph display device, graph display method, data processing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a graph display device easy in comprehension of continuity of a graph made to be a display target and in tracing of a data point of the graph. <P>SOLUTION: When the graph G2 has data points outside a graph display area RE1, an arrow AR indicating its presence direction is fitted to an arrow display area RE2 provided around the graph display area RE1 and is made to be displayed. Additionally, such the arrow AR is made to allow selective input by a mouse or the like, and a graph coordinate range is updated such that a nearest data point indicated by the arrow newly becomes the center of a display range when one of the arrows AR is selected by a click or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a graph display device that displays a two-dimensional graph on a display screen.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display screen W0 displayed on a conventional general graph display device (for example, in a state where graph display software is installed in a computer and executed). FIG. 19 illustrates a case where a certain line graph G0 is displayed. On the display screen W0, a left-right scroll bar SB1 and a vertical scroll bar SB2 are displayed. These are displayed when the data point of the graph G0 exists beyond the graph display area RE0 of the display screen W0. For example, when the left / right direction scroll bar SB1 or the up / down direction scroll bar SB2 is dragged with a mouse or the like (not shown) provided in the graph display device, the graph display area RE0 in the display screen W0 correspondingly changes in the vertical axis direction and horizontal axis direction. (The coordinate range of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis included in the graph display area RE0 changes). For example, a graph G0 in which only a part thereof is displayed in a certain graph display area RE0 shown on the display screen W0 actually has a data point in the positive direction of the horizontal axis (the right-hand direction in the drawing). When the graph is virtually continued for the portion that protrudes from the screen W0, a graph G′0 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 19 is obtained. If the left-right scroll bar SB1 is dragged to the right in the drawing, the graph display area RE0 is displayed. Accordingly, the horizontal axis direction moves to the right in the drawing view, so that the portion of the graph G′0 that has been in the non-display state is displayed on the display screen W0.

  In addition, there is a technique for displaying a pair of adjacent opposing scroll icons at both ends of a display range when an arrow that scrolls in one direction is selected to minimize cursor movement when the display range is changed by scrolling. It is already known (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-182135

  The graph G0 displayed on the display screen W0 is displayed in a manner as shown in FIG. 19, and the graph data is described so that the graph is continuous in a manner as shown in the graph G′0. In this case, as described above, it is possible to include up to the graph G′0 in the display range by the operation of the horizontal scroll bar SB1 or the vertical scroll bar SB2. However, in this case, in order to include the point P0 outside the display range on the display screen W0 within the display range, the operation of the horizontal scroll bar SB1 and the operation of the vertical scroll bar SB2 must be combined. Necessary. However, in the first place, when the display range on the display screen W0 is as shown in FIG. 19, the position of the point P0 outside the display range relative to the display range is determined by the graph G′0. Of course, it is unclear just by looking at the display screen W0 in a situation where it is not displayed. Therefore, in order to track how the graph G0 continues beyond the display area RE0, the point P is determined by trial and error in the operations of the left and right scroll bars SB1 and SB2. It is complicated to find out and include it in the graph display area RE0.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is easy to grasp the continuity of a graph to be displayed outside the display range and track the data points of the graph outside the display range. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is a graph display device for displaying a graph on a display screen according to a setting condition given through an input device, the display means for displaying the display screen, and graph data. Acquisition means for acquiring graph data from storage means for storing; coordinate range setting means for setting a first graph coordinate range for displaying a graph on the display screen; and the first graph coordinate range is a graph display area. Graph display processing means for displaying a graph determined by the graph data on the display screen so that the graph is not displayed in the first graph coordinate range based on the graph data and the first graph coordinate range If there is a data point that is not displayed, the data point is outside the first graph coordinate range. Graph presence index data generating means for generating graph presence index data for displaying a graph presence index indicating the direction in which the rough exists, and the graph display means adds the graph presence index data to the graph presence index data when the graph is displayed. Based on the graph presence index, the display is performed.

  Invention of Claim 2 is the graph display apparatus of Claim 1, Comprising: The said graph presence parameter | index is displayed on the said display screen so that selection input is possible by the said input device, At least on the said display screen When one graph existence index is selected and inputted in a state where one graph existence index is displayed, the coordinate position corresponding to the selected and inputted graph existence index determined based on the graph is the center. Update processing means for updating the first graph coordinate range to a second graph coordinate range so that the data points of the graph not included in the first graph coordinate range are included, and the display The processing means and the graph presence index data generation means are configured to display the graph and display the graph presence index based on the second graph coordinate range. Newly performs processing for, characterized in that.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the graph display device according to the second aspect, wherein the update processing means is configured to specify the graph presence index selected and input as a direction in which the graph exists as a direction outside the graph coordinate range. When pointing to a data point, the first graph coordinate range is updated to a second graph coordinate range so that the coordinate position of the specific data point is the center.

  Invention of Claim 4 is the graph display apparatus of Claim 2 or Claim 3, Comprising: The said update process means is the said graph coordinate range as the direction where the said graph presence parameter | index selected and input exists in the said graph. In the case of pointing to the outer vertical direction, the central coordinate position is determined based on a graph existing within the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range in the direction indicated by the selected graph presence index. Then, the first graph coordinate range is updated to a second graph coordinate range.

  Invention of Claim 5 is the graph display apparatus in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4, Comprising: The graph presence parameter | index data production | generation means WHEREIN: The graph represented by the said graph data is said 1st graph coordinate. If there are data points both inside and outside the range, the end data point of the data points within the graph coordinate range and the first closest point of the data points outside the graph coordinate range that are closest to the end data point A data point is identified, and based on the arrangement relationship between the end data point and the first nearest data point, the graph presence index indicates the first nearest data point as a direction in which the graph exists Generating the graph presence index data.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the graph display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the graph presence index data generating means is configured such that the graph represented by the graph data is the first graph coordinates. When there is no data point in the range, and the graph exists in the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range, the direction in which the graph exists is indicated The graph presence index data is generated.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the graph display device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the graph presence index data generating means is configured such that the graph represented by the graph data is the first graph coordinates. The first graph display range among the data points of the graph when there is no data point within the range and the graph exists outside the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range. A second nearest data point closest to the center position of the second data point is specified, and the graph presence index is set as the direction in which the graph exists based on the arrangement relationship between the center position and the second nearest data point. The graph presence index data is generated so as to point to the most recent data point.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the graph presence index is provided around the graph display area on the display screen. It is displayed in the index display area.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the graph display device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the display shape of the graph presence index on the display screen is an arrow.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a data processing system generates the graph display device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a database as the storage means, and data that can be the graph data, and the database And a data generation device for storing the data.

  The invention of claim 11 is a graph display method for displaying a graph on the display screen of the display means according to the setting condition given through the input device, the obtaining step for obtaining the graph data from the storage means for storing the graph data, A coordinate range setting step for setting a first graph coordinate range when displaying a graph on the display screen, and a graph determined by the graph data on the display screen so that the first graph coordinate range becomes a graph display region A graph display processing step of displaying the graph, and determining whether or not there is a data point of the graph that is not displayed in the first graph coordinate range based on the graph data and the first graph coordinate range. If present, a graph presence index indicating the direction in which the graph exists outside the first graph coordinate range is displayed. A graph presence index data generation step for generating graph presence index data for displaying the graph presence index data based on the graph presence index data when the graph is displayed. It is characterized by.

  Invention of Claim 12 is the graph display method of Claim 11, Comprising: The said graph presence parameter | index is displayed on the said display screen so that selection input is possible by the said input device, At least on the said display screen When one graph existence index is selected and inputted in a state where one graph existence index is displayed, the coordinate position corresponding to the selected and inputted graph existence index determined based on the graph is the center. An update processing step of updating the first graph coordinate range to a second graph coordinate range so that data points of the graph not included in the first graph coordinate range are included, and the display In the processing step and the graph presence index data generation step, the display of the graph and the graph based on the second graph coordinate range Newly performs processing for displaying the stationary indicators, characterized in that.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the graph display method according to claim 12, wherein, in the update processing step, the selected graph presence index is specified outside the graph coordinate range as a direction in which the graph exists. When the data point is pointed to, the first graph coordinate range is updated to the second graph coordinate range so that the coordinate position of the specific data point is the center.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the graph display method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein, in the update processing step, the graph coordinates that are selected and input indicate the graph coordinates as the direction in which the graph exists. When the vertical direction outside the range is indicated, the center coordinate position is determined based on the graph existing in the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range in the direction indicated by the selected graph presence index. And the first graph coordinate range is updated to a second graph coordinate range.

  A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the graph display method according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, wherein in the graph presence index data generation step, the graph represented by the graph data is the first graph. When there are data points both inside and outside the coordinate range, the end data point of the data points within the graph coordinate range and the first of the data points outside the graph coordinate range closest to the end data point The most recent data point is identified, and based on the arrangement relationship between the end data point and the first nearest data point, the graph presence index indicates the first nearest data point as the direction in which the graph exists As described above, the graph presence index data is generated.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein in the graph presence index data generation step, the graph represented by the graph data is the first graph. When there is no data point in the coordinate range, and the graph exists in the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range, it indicates the upper or lower direction in which the graph exists. Generating the graph presence index data.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein in the graph presence index data generation, the graph represented by the graph data is the first graph coordinates. The first graph display range among the data points of the graph when there is no data point within the range and the graph exists outside the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range. A second nearest data point closest to the center position of the second data point is specified, and the graph presence index is set as the direction in which the graph exists based on the arrangement relationship between the center position and the second nearest data point. The graph presence index data is generated so as to point to the most recent data point.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the graph presence index is provided on the display screen around the graph display area. It is characterized by being displayed in the index display area.

  A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the graph display method according to any one of the eleventh to eighteenth aspects, wherein the display shape of the graph presence index on the display screen is an arrow.

  The invention of claim 20 is a program that is executed by a computer to cause the computer to function as the graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

  According to the first to twentieth aspects of the present invention, by displaying the graph presence index, the user can easily recognize that the data point of the graph exists outside the graph display area. In particular, when there are graph end points in the graph display area, it is clear to the user whether there are more data points without changing the graph display area with a scroll bar or the like as in the conventional graph display device. Can be recognized.

  In particular, according to the inventions of claims 2 to 4 and claims 12 to 14, as long as any graph existence index is selected and inputted, the first graph is displayed according to the graph existence index. The graph can be updated to include data points that were not included in the coordinate range. That is, it is possible to easily track data points that exist outside the display range without performing trial and error operations on the scroll bar.

<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a data processing system 100 including a graph display device 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the graph display device 1, the data processing system 100 mainly includes a database 2 and a data generation device 3. The graph display device 1 and the database 2 and the database 2 and the data generation device 3 are electrically connected by signal lines.

  The data processing system 100 according to the present embodiment accumulates and stores data generated by the data generation device 3 as data that can be displayed in a graph in the database 2 (hereinafter, graph data), and the graph display device 1 The graph data stored in the database 2 is acquired based on the operation instruction of the operator and displayed. In the present embodiment, two-dimensional graph data (data representing one data point by a set of two types of data values) is a display target, but is stored and stored in the data generation device 3. It may be an aspect in which graph data is obtained by taking a set of two types of data values from multidimensional data of a dimension or higher.

  As long as the data generation device 3 can generate graph data, the specific mode is not limited. For example, in the process of manufacturing a certain product, even if the material, intermediate product, or finished product is subjected to a predetermined inspection / measurement, and the manufacturing apparatus that outputs the result is the data generation apparatus 3 Good. Alternatively, the data generation device 3 is an observation device or an analysis device that performs observation or analysis on a predetermined observation or analysis target continuously or intermittently with a predetermined content and outputs the result continuously or intermittently. An aspect may be sufficient. Alternatively, an apparatus capable of artificially generating graph data by a human operation, for example, an information processing apparatus realized by installing software such as spreadsheet software in the computer is the data generation apparatus 3. An aspect may be sufficient.

  The data generation device 3 includes data acquisition means 4 that acquires the generated graph data and accumulates and stores it in the database 2. The data acquisition unit 4 may be realized by a control unit such as a computer that directly controls the data generation device 3 or may be realized by a management computer that manages the data generation device 3. It may be. Note that the data acquisition unit 4 is not necessarily provided integrally with the data generation device 3, and may be an embodiment in which the data generation device 3 is accessed from the outside to acquire graph data.

  The configuration of the database 2 is not particularly limited as long as the graph data can be accumulated / stored from the outside and the accumulated data can be selectively acquired from the outside.

  The graph display device 1 is preferably realized by a computer. That is, the graph display device 1 is variously connected to the operation unit 11 composed of input devices such as a mouse 11a and a keyboard 11b, the display unit 12 serving as a display for displaying a graph, the storage unit 13 composed of a hard disk, etc. For example, interface unit 14 capable of LAN or USB connection, and data read / write with portable recording media such as DVD-RAM, RVD-RW, or microdrive Mainly includes a read / write unit 15, a control unit 16 including a CPU 16a, a ROM 16b, a RAM 16c, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration realized in the graph display device 1. FIG. 2 also shows various data flows in the graph display device 1. In the graph display device 1, a program (graph display software) 13 p stored in the storage unit 13 is executed by the CPU 16 a, so that a graph is displayed as a functional component by the operation of the control unit 16 and other units. The setting unit 21, the display processing unit 22, the arrow display determination unit 23, and the update processing unit 24 are mainly realized.

  Various operations in the graph display apparatus 1 are performed via the GUI. That is, various processing menus are called up on the display unit 12 via the operation unit 11, and based on the display contents, processing conditions for graph display and processing execution instructions can be performed. . The graph display device 1 is configured to be able to exchange graph display data and other data directly and indirectly with other devices via the interface unit 14 and the read / write unit 15.

  The graph display setting unit 21 is necessary for displaying a graph based on graph data in response to a graph display instruction C1 which is various input instruction signals given by the user through the operation unit 11 for graph display. It is responsible for processing to set the conditions.

  Specifically, the graph display setting unit 21 acquires data storage information I1 indicating what kind of graph data is stored in the database 2 from the database 2 and displays it on a menu screen (not shown). When the user selects one graph data to be displayed from among the graph data described in the data storage information I1 (giving a selection instruction as the graph display instruction C1), the graph display setting unit 21 In response to the selection, graph selection information I2 describing information for specifying the graph is given to the display processing unit 22.

  Further, the graph display setting unit 21 enables the user to set a graph coordinate range through the operation unit 11 on a menu screen (not shown) as part of the graph display instruction C1, and the coordinate range data D1 representing the determined graph coordinate range. Is generated. Here, the graph coordinate range is a coordinate range between the horizontal axis and the vertical axis displayed in the graph. In addition, the user can select a graph display color through the operation unit 11 on a menu screen (not shown), and display color data D2 representing the determined display color is generated. The coordinate range data D1 and the display color data D2 are stored / held in the RAM 16c or the storage unit 13.

  The display processing unit 22 acquires graph data D3 to be displayed based on the graph selection information I2 given from the graph display setting unit 21, and displays the graph coordinate range and display based on the coordinate range data D1 and the display color data D2. It is responsible for displaying the graph G1 for the graph data D3 on the display screen W by color. The graph data D3 is stored / held in the RAM 16c or the storage unit 13.

  FIG. 3 shows a graph display area RE1 on the display screen W displayed on the display unit 12 (pointing to the entire screen of the display unit 12 or a predetermined display window displayed on the display unit 12, the same applies hereinafter). It is a figure which illustrates the case where the graph G1 corresponding to the graph data D3 is displayed in a predetermined graph coordinate range. The graph G1 is a line graph in which a plurality of data points are connected by line segments. In the present embodiment, the graph to be displayed is not limited to a line graph. The graph G1 merely indicates that adjacent data points are obtained continuously. Instead of this, graph data in which data points are intermittently recorded may be displayed. For example, when some characteristic value is acquired at a predetermined time interval in the data generation device 3 and graph data indicating the relationship between the acquisition time and the characteristic value is stored and stored in the database 2, for some reason at a certain time. This is the case, for example, when there is no characteristic value recorded, and there is no characteristic value corresponding to the time only (No data). Specifically, the graph G6 shown in FIG. 18 corresponds to such intermittent data.

  In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the graph coordinate range is the minimum value xa to the maximum value xb for the x axis and the minimum value ya to the maximum value yb for the y axis. Also assume that xb−xa = Δx and yb−ya = Δy. In the following drawings, the same applies unless otherwise specified. Further, in the display area RE1 on the display screen W, the horizontal actual size (appearance size) corresponding to the x axis is u (cm), and the vertical actual size corresponding to the y axis is v (cm). To do. This is assumed to be fixed in the subsequent figures.

  The display of the graph by the display processing unit 22 can be realized by a known technique. Originally, a graph scale, coordinate axes, and the like are appropriately displayed in the graph display region RE1, but these displays are omitted for the sake of simplicity of illustration, including the following figures. In addition, layout information such as scales necessary for performing such graph display is stored in the RAM 16c or the storage unit 13 in advance as a part of the graph display instruction C1 by the user or a predetermined value is determined. It is assumed that it is appropriately called by the display processing unit 22 and used.

  In addition, when the graph to be displayed has a data point at a coordinate position outside the graph coordinate range when the graph is displayed, the display processing unit 22 serves as a graph presence index indicating that. An arrow is displayed on the display screen W.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an aspect in which the arrow AR is displayed when the graph G2 displayed in the graph display area RE1 is continuous outside the graph display area RE1. The display screen W is provided with an arrow display area RE2 that is an arrow display area on the outer periphery of the graph display area RE1 by the action of the display processing unit 22, and the arrow AR indicates a predetermined position of the arrow display area RE2. Is displayed. The user who has visually recognized this can easily recognize that the data point of the graph G2 further exists in the direction indicated by the arrow AR. Note that when the entire graph data is displayed in the graph display area RE1 as in the graph G1 illustrated in FIG. 3, such an arrow is not displayed.

  Further, the arrow AR displayed as shown in FIG. 4 can be selected and input by, for example, clicking with the mouse 11a. This corresponds to giving an arrow selection instruction C2 which is a signal for specifying the arrow. When such a selection input is executed, the graph coordinate range to be displayed is changed and the contents of the graph display are updated in a predetermined manner for each selected arrow AR. That is, the display range of the graph G2 is moved by the selection input of the arrow AR. In principle, the contents of the graph display are updated so that the data point existing in the direction indicated by the selected and input arrow AR becomes the new center position of the graph display area RE.

  Details regarding the display of these arrows and the update of the graph display will be described in detail later.

  The arrow display determination unit 23 performs processing necessary for displaying the above-described arrow on the display. Specifically, whether or not to display an arrow is determined based on the description contents of the graph data D3 that is the graph display target and the coordinate range data D1 generated by the graph display setting unit 21, and the arrow is displayed. In that case, the display position and display orientation (direction of the arrow) are further determined. The arrow display determination unit 23 generates arrow data D4 describing the display position and display orientation of the arrow to be displayed as a result of such processing. The arrow data D4 is stored / held in the RAM 16c or the storage unit 13. The display processing unit 22 displays, for example, an arrow AR as shown in FIG. 4 based on the description content of the arrow data D4.

  When the arrow AR displayed on the display screen W is selected and input as described above, the update processing unit 24 sets a new graph coordinate range for updating the graph display range in response to the input. Responsible for processing. Based on the arrow selection instruction C2, the coordinate range data D1, the graph data D3, and the arrow data D4, the update processing unit 24 generates range update data D5 describing the setting contents. The range update data D5 is stored / held in the RAM 16c or the storage unit 13. The graph display setting unit 21 supplies the range update data D5 to the display processing unit 22 and the arrow display determination unit 23 as new coordinate range data D1 of graph data to be displayed.

<Details of graph display and arrow display>
Next, the arrow display performed when the graph is displayed on the display screen W will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of processing relating to graph display and arrow display.

  First, the arrow display determination unit 23 collates the coordinate range data D1 acquired from the graph display setting unit 21 with the description content of the graph data D3 acquired from the database 2, and the graph set in the coordinate range data D1. It is determined whether or not a data point of the graph data D3 exists in the coordinate range (xa ≦ x ≦ xb, ya ≦ y ≦ yb) (step S1).

  When it is determined that the data point of the graph data D3 exists in the graph coordinate range set in the coordinate range data D1 (YES in step S1), the arrow display determination unit 23 moves outside the graph coordinate range. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a data point of the graph data D3 (step S2). In other words, it is determined whether or not all the data points of the graph data D3 are within the graph coordinate range.

  When it is determined that there is no data point of the graph data D3 outside the graph coordinate range (YES in step S2), all the data points constituting the graph data D3 are within the graph display range. In this case, the arrow display determination unit 23 does not generate the arrow data D4, and the display processing unit 22 displays a graph including all data points in the graph display area RE1 according to the graph data D3 acquired in advance, as display color data. Only the process of displaying in the display color specified in D2 is performed (step S3). FIG. 3 described above is a diagram illustrating such a case. In the case shown in FIG. 3, the entire graph G1 is displayed in the graph display area RE1, and no arrow is displayed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the data points of the graph data D3 exist outside the graph coordinate range (NO in step S2), the data points constituting the graph data D3 do not fit in the graph display area RE1. . In this case, the arrow display determination unit 23 belongs to the graph display region RE1 and belongs to the graph display region RE1 and the data point (end data point) that is the end of the data points (having coordinates within the graph coordinate range). Identify the data point that is closest to the end data point (nearest data point) among the data points that have no coordinates (outside the graph coordinate range), and in which direction the nearest data point is relative to the end data point Arrow data D4 for displaying an arrow indicating whether or not it exists is generated. The generated arrow data D4 is given to the display processing unit 22. The display processing unit 22 performs graph display based on the graph data D3 as well as step S2, and also performs arrow display based on the arrow data D4 (step S4). In addition, the display of the arrow is also performed in the display color specified by the display color data D2 as in the graph.

  FIG. 4 described above is a diagram illustrating such a case. By performing the arrow display as shown in FIG. 4, the user who has visually recognized the display screen W can know that the graph G2 continues in the direction indicated by the arrow AR.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how the arrow AR shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. FIG. 6 shows that the same graph G2 as shown in FIG. 4 includes data points that are not included in the graph display area RE1, and that the graph G2 continues virtually outside the graph display area RE. It is the figure which showed the part outside the graph display area RE1 with the broken line. Needless to say, the wavy line is shown for convenience of explanation, and is not displayed on the actual display screen W.

  The edge data point and the nearest data point are included in the graph coordinate range among the data points adjacent to each other across the boundary of the graph coordinate range (x = xa, x = xb, y = ya, y = yb). The data point that belongs is specified as the end data point, and the data point that does not belong to the graph coordinate range is specified as the latest data point. In the case shown in FIG. 6, for example, x1 <xb <x2 on the upper end side in the x-axis direction, so that the point P1 (x1, y1) is one end data point, and the point P2 (x2, y2) is , The nearest data point corresponding to the point P1.

  When the end data point and the most recent data point are specified in this way, any point on the straight line that belongs to the arrow display area RE2 on the display screen W and virtually connects the two (for example, both) Is defined as the display position of the arrow AR.

  The direction of the arrow AR is determined from the slope of a straight line connecting the actual display positions of the end data points and the latest data points on the display screen W. In the case shown in FIG. 6, since the actual distance (on the display screen) per unit scale for each of the x coordinate and y coordinate is u / Δx, v / Δy, the point P1 on the display screen W And the slope α of the straight line connecting point P2 is

It becomes. If the direction of the arrow AR is represented by an angle θ taken counterclockwise with respect to the positive x-axis direction, the angle θ

It is expressed.

  The arrow display determination unit 23 calculates the value of the angle θ representing the position and orientation of all the arrows AR in this way. Then, the arrow data D4 describing the arrangement position of the arrow, the angle θ, and the most recent data point indicated by the arrow is generated and given to the display processing unit 22.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another graph G3 in which the processing corresponding to step S4 is performed. In the case of the graph G3, in addition to the arrows AR being displayed at both ends of the x-axis, the graph coordinate range boundary y = ya between the points P3 and P4 and between the points P4 and P5. Therefore, the point P4 is the nearest data point with respect to the point P3 and the point P5 which are end data points, and arrows AR2 and AR3 are also displayed at the lower end of the y-axis.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another graph G4 in which the process corresponding to step S4 has been performed. In the case of the graph G4, the graph is intermittent at the point P6 (x6, y6) in the graph display region RE1, and the data point having the next largest x coordinate after the point P6 is the point P7 outside the graph display region RE1. (X7, y7). However, also in this case, an arbitrary point on a straight line that virtually connects the two is determined as the display position of the arrow AR4. Then, by substituting (x6, y6) and (x7, y7) in place of (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) in Equation 1, and further using Equation 2, an angle θ representing the direction of the arrow AR4 Is required.

  As shown in the graph G4 in FIG. 8, when the graph end point exists in the graph display region RE1, in the conventional graph display device, if the graph display region is not changed by a scroll bar or the like, the end point of the graph is the entire graph point. Whether it is an end point or whether there are more data points in the positive x-axis direction was not known, but in the case of the graph display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the graph AR It is possible to make the user clearly recognize that it is only intermittent at this end point and further has a data point.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when it is determined that the data point of the graph data D3 does not exist in the graph coordinate range set by the coordinate range data D1 (NO in step S1), that is, the graph is displayed in the graph display region RE1. Is not displayed, the arrow display determining unit 23 displays the graph data within the horizontal axis range set in the coordinate range data D1 (regardless of whether the data point is within the graph coordinate range in the vertical axis direction). It is determined whether or not a data point of D3 exists (step S5).

  When it is determined that there is a data point within the horizontal axis range (YES in step S5), the arrow display determination unit 23 displays an arrow display area RE2 above the graph display area RE1 or below the graph display area RE1. The area where the graph exists in the arrow display area RE2 (hereinafter referred to as the arrow existence side area RE2e), and the side where the graph exists (vertical direction) at the midpoint of the graph display range in the x-axis direction. The arrow data D4 described so as to display the arrow facing the) is generated. The display processing unit 22 displays an arrow based on the arrow data D4 (step S6).

  Specifically, since the y-coordinate (vertical axis) value is smaller than the lower limit of the graph coordinate range or larger than the upper limit of the graph coordinate range, a non-displayed graph exists. Correspondingly, the determination unit 23 displays an arrow facing the side where the graph exists at the position of the midpoint of the graph display range in the x-axis direction of the arrow existing side region RE2e (θ = 90 ° or 270). )), The arrow data D4 is described. In this case, since there is no specific latest data point pointed to by the arrow, it is described that there is no corresponding data in the arrow data D4.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating such a case. In the case shown in FIG. 9, the graph is not displayed in the graph coordinate range (xa ≦ x ≦ xb, ya ≦ y ≦ yb), but is not displayed in the range of y <ya which is smaller than the lower limit of the y coordinate. There are data points constituting the graph G5. As a result, in the case shown in FIG. 9, it is an arrow existing side region RE2e below the graph display region RE1, and is located at the midpoint x = (xa + xb) / 2 of the graph display range in the x-axis direction. A downward arrow AR5 is displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another case where the processing corresponding to step S6 is performed. In the case shown in FIG. 10, there are data points that constitute a non-display state and intermittent graph G6 in a range of y <ya smaller than the lower limit of the y coordinate. Also in this case, a downward arrow AR6 is displayed at the middle point x = (xa + xb) / 2 of the graph display range in the x-axis direction in the arrow existing side region RE2e below the graph display region RE1. The That is, whether or not the graphs are continuous within the horizontal axis range does not matter in the process of step S6.

  Returning to FIG. 5 again, when it is determined that no graph is displayed in the graph display area RE1 and no data point exists in the horizontal axis range set in the coordinate range data D1 (NO in step S5). That is, when there is no data point in the x-axis coordinate range (xa ≦ x ≦ xb) set in the coordinate range data D1, the arrow display determination unit 23 displays the graph display region RE1 in the ± x directions. The arrow data D4 described so as to display an arrow pointing to the nearest data point as seen from the boundaries x = xa and x = xb of is generated. The display processing unit 22 displays an arrow based on the arrow data D4 (step S7).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating such a case. In the case shown in FIG. 11, the point P8 (x8, y8) which is the end point of the graph G7 exists as the most recent data point when viewed from the boundary x = xa. In this case, the arrow display determination unit 23 is an arrow display area RE2, and an arbitrary point on a straight line that virtually connects the center point Q (q1, q2) and the point P8 of the graph display area RE1. , The display position of the arrow AR7. Then, by substituting (x8, y8) and (q1, q2) in place of (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) in Formula 1, and further using Formula 2, an angle θ representing the direction of the arrow AR7 Is required.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen W when a plurality of graph data is selected as a display target. In such a case, when each of the graphs G8a, G8b, and G8c is displayed, the determination as described above is performed, and the graph display and the arrow display are performed. Note that, for convenience of illustration in FIG. 12, each graph is displayed in monochrome, but actually, as a part of the graph display instruction C1 by the user, different display colors are set in advance for each graph, Described in the display color data D2, the display processing unit 22 displays each graph and the corresponding arrow for each color based on the display color data D2.

<Details of display range update>
Next, the process when the arrow displayed on the display screen W is selected and input will be described in more detail. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of such processing. In the following description, it is assumed that an arrow selection instruction C2 is given to the update processing unit 24 by clicking with the mouse 11a.

  When such a click is made, first, the update processing unit 24 checks whether or not there is a data point indicated by the clicked arrow (step S11). Specifically, by matching the position information of the clicked arrow given as the arrow selection instruction C2 with the arrow data D4 given from the display processing unit 22 corresponding to the graph display at that time, The existence of the data point to be determined is determined. Specifically, when an arrow at a certain position is clicked, an arrow corresponding to the position is specified based on the arrow data D4 and the angle θ is referred to. If the value is other than 90 ° and 270 °, It is determined that there is a data point indicated by the clicked arrow (YES in step S11). On the other hand, if the angle θ is 90 ° or 270 °, it is determined that there is no data point indicated by the arrow (NO in step S11).

  The reason why the determination can be made based on such a criterion is that the data point indicated by the arrow exists when the arrow is displayed as a result of the processing in step S4 and step S7. The slope (posture) of the arrow is determined so as to face the specific nearest data point by the calculation based on 2, while the nearest data point pointed to by the arrow does not exist is the result of the processing in step S6. This is because, in this case, the arrow simply points in the vertical direction and does not display the specific data point.

  If the corresponding data point exists (YES in step S11), the display content on the display screen W is updated so that the coordinate position of the data point becomes the center position in the graph display area (step S12). Specifically, the update processing unit 24 acquires the coordinates of the data point indicated by the clicked arrow from the arrow data D4, and the coordinate value and the length of the horizontal axis at that time specified from the coordinate range data D1. From the value of Δx and the length Δy of the vertical axis, the coordinates of the boundary giving a new graph coordinate range are calculated, and range update data D5 describing this is generated. When the graph display setting unit 21 acquires the range update data D5 and gives it to the display processing unit 22 and the arrow display determination unit 23 as new coordinate range data D1, the processing of step S1 to step S7 is newly performed. Thus, graph display and arrow display are performed based on the new graph coordinate range.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the graph display range is updated when the arrow AR1 illustrated in FIG. 4 (and FIG. 6) is clicked, and the graph G2 is displayed in the graph display region RE1a. In this case, since the latest data point P2 (x2, y2) is newly the center of the graph display range, the range update data D5 includes x2−Δx / 2 ≦ x ≦ xb = x2 + Δx / 2, ya = A graph coordinate range of y2−Δy / 2 ≦ y ≦ yb = y2 + Δy / 2 is described. Through the processing of step S1 to step S7, the graph display based on the new graph coordinate range shown in FIG. 14 is performed.

  That is, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to select by clicking an arrow indicating how the graph continues outside the display range without performing a trial and error operation of the scroll bar. The graph can be updated so that the latest data point indicated by the arrow becomes the center of the display range. That is, it becomes possible to easily track data points existing outside the display range.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the graph display range is updated when the arrow AR4 illustrated in FIG. 8 is clicked, and the graph G4 is displayed in the graph display region RE1b. In the graph display region RE1 shown in FIG. 8, the graph G4 is intermittent between the point P6 and the point P7, but the arrow AR4 points to the point P7. The process of S12 is executed, and the graph display is updated so that the point P7 is positioned at the center of the graph display area as shown in FIG.

  Further, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state where the graph display range is updated by clicking the arrow AR7 shown in FIG. 11 and the graph G7 is displayed in the graph display region RE1c. In the graph display area RE1 shown in FIG. 11, the graph G7 is not displayed at all. However, since the arrow AR7 points to the point P8, the processing of step S12 is executed even when this is clicked. As shown in FIG. 16, the graph display is updated so that the point P8 is positioned at the center of the graph display region.

  On the other hand, as described above, when an arrow at a certain position is clicked, if the angle θ indicating the direction of the arrow is 90 ° or 270 °, it is determined that there is no data point indicated by the arrow (step NO in S11). In this case, the arrow points in either the up or down direction, and it is determined whether or not the graph is continuous within the horizontal axis range in that direction (step S13).

  If determined to be continuous (YES in step S13), the display on the display screen W is updated so that the intersection of the vertical bisector of the horizontal axis of the graph display region RE1 and the graph is the center. (Step S14). Specifically, the update processing unit 24 specifies a point on the graph in the midpoint x = (xa + xb) / 2 of the graph coordinate range xa ≦ x ≦ xb about the x axis at the time of clicking, and this point is determined. The coordinates of the boundary giving a new graph coordinate range as the center are calculated, and range update data D5 describing this is generated. When the graph display setting unit 21 acquires the range update data D5 and gives it to the display processing unit 22 and the arrow display determination unit 23 as new coordinate range data D1, the processing of step S1 to step S7 is newly performed. Thus, graph display and arrow display are performed based on the new graph coordinate range.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the graph display range is updated when the arrow AR5 illustrated in FIG. 9 is clicked, and the graph G5 is displayed in the graph display region RE1d. In the graph display area RE1 shown in FIG. 9, the graph G5 is located below the graph display range, and the arrow AR5 points to the graph. A point Pm1 ((xa + xb) / 2, ym1) on the graph at the midpoint (xa + xb) / 2 of the graph coordinate range xa ≦ x ≦ xb about the x axis is obtained. Then, a new graph coordinate range is determined so that this point is the center, and the graph display is updated so that the point Pm1 is positioned at the center of the graph display area, as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the arrow points in either the up or down direction, but if it is determined that the graph is not continuous within the horizontal axis range in that direction (NO in step S13), the intermittent graph is virtually Then, the display on the display screen W is updated so that the intersection of the vertical bisector of the horizontal axis of the graph display area RE1 and the graph is centered (step S15). .

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state where the graph display range is updated by clicking the arrow AR6 illustrated in FIG. 10 and the graph G6 is displayed in the graph display region RE1e. In the graph display area RE1 shown in FIG. 10, the graph G6 is located below the graph display range, and the arrow AR6 points to the graph G6. However, the graph G6 is a graph coordinate range xa in the x-axis direction. Since ≦ x ≦ xb is intermittent between the points Pα and Pβ, when the arrow AR6 is clicked, the update processing unit 24 first identifies a straight line connecting the points Pα and Pβ. . Thereafter, similarly to step S14, a point Pm2 ((xa + xb) / 2, ym2) on the graph at the midpoint (xa + xb) / 2 of the graph coordinate range xa ≦ x ≦ xb about the x axis is obtained. Then, a new graph coordinate range is determined so that this point is the center, and the graph display is updated so that the point Pm2 is positioned at the center of the graph display area as shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the graph is outside the display range, the user who visually recognizes the display screen W can display the graph by performing the arrow display indicating the direction in which the graph exists. You can know that it exists in the direction indicated by the arrow. In addition, even if you do not try and operate the scroll bar, if you just select one of the arrows by clicking on it, the latest data point pointed to by that arrow will become the center of the display range. The graph can be updated. That is, it becomes possible to easily track data points existing outside the display range.

It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the data processing system 100 containing the graph display apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration realized in the graph display device 1. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the case where a graph G1 is displayed in a predetermined graph coordinate range in the graph display region RE1. It is a figure which illustrates the aspect in which arrow AR is displayed when graph G2 continues also outside graph display area RE1. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which concerns on a graph display and an arrow display. It is a figure for demonstrating how the arrow AR shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. It is a figure which shows another graph G3 in which the process applicable to step S4 of FIG. 5 was performed. It is a figure which shows another graph G4 in which the process applicable to step S4 of FIG. 5 was performed. Although the graph is not displayed in the graph coordinate range, it is a figure which illustrates the case where the data point which comprises the graph G5 exists in the range smaller than the minimum of y coordinate. It is a figure which illustrates another case where the process corresponded to FIG.5 S6 was performed. It is a figure which illustrates the case where it is determined that a graph is not displayed in the graph display area RE1 and that no data point exists within the horizontal axis range set in the coordinate range data D1. It is a figure which shows the display screen W when several graph data are selected as display object. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when the arrow displayed on the display screen W is selected and input. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where a graph display range is updated by clicking an arrow AR1 shown in FIG. 4 and a graph G2 is displayed in the graph display region RE1a. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a graph display range is updated by clicking an arrow AR4 shown in FIG. 8 and a graph G4 is displayed in the graph display region RE1b. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state where a graph display range is updated by clicking an arrow AR7 shown in FIG. 11 and a graph G7 is displayed in the graph display region RE1c. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where a graph display range is updated by clicking an arrow AR5 shown in FIG. 9 and a graph G5 is displayed in the graph display region RE1d. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a graph display range is updated by clicking an arrow AR6 illustrated in FIG. 10 and a graph G6 is displayed in the graph display region RE1e. It is a figure which illustrates the graph display window W0 displayed in the conventional general graph display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Graph display apparatus 2 Database 3 Data generation apparatus 4 Data acquisition means 11 Operation part 11a Mouse 11b Keyboard 12 Display part 13 Memory | storage part 13p Program 14 Interface part 15 Read / write part 16 Control part 16a CPU
16b ROM
16c RAM
21 graph display setting unit 22 display processing unit 23 arrow display determination unit 24 update processing unit 100 data processing system

Claims (20)

A graph display device that displays a graph on a display screen according to setting conditions given through an input device,
Display means for displaying the display screen;
Acquisition means for acquiring graph data from storage means for storing graph data;
Coordinate range setting means for setting a first graph coordinate range when displaying a graph on the display screen;
Graph display processing means for displaying a graph determined by the graph data on the display screen so that the first graph coordinate range becomes a graph display area;
Based on the graph data and the first graph coordinate range, it is determined whether or not there is a data point of the graph that is not displayed in the first graph coordinate range, and when there is a data point that is not displayed, the first Graph presence index data generating means for generating graph presence index data for displaying a graph presence index indicating a direction in which the graph exists outside the graph coordinate range;
With
The graph display means displays the graph presence index based on the graph presence index data when displaying the graph.
A graph display device characterized by that. The graph display device according to claim 1,
The graph presence indicator is displayed on the display screen so as to be selectively input by the input device,
When one graph presence index is selected and input in a state where at least one of the graph presence indices is displayed on the display screen, it corresponds to the selected and input graph presence index determined based on the graph Update processing means for updating the first graph coordinate range to the second graph coordinate range so that the data points of the graph that are not included in the first graph coordinate range are included at the center of the coordinate position;
Further comprising
The display processing unit and the graph presence index data generation unit newly perform processing for displaying the graph and displaying the graph presence index based on the second graph coordinate range.
A graph display device characterized by that. The graph display device according to claim 2,
The update processing means is arranged so that the coordinate position of the specific data point is centered when the graph presence index selected and input indicates a specific data point outside the graph coordinate range as a direction in which the graph exists. Updating the first graph coordinate range to a second graph coordinate range;
A graph display device characterized by that. The graph display device according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The update processing means, when the selected graph presence index indicates the vertical direction outside the graph coordinate range as the direction in which the graph exists, the first direction in the direction indicated by the selected graph presence index. Determining the central coordinate position based on a graph existing in a horizontal axis range defined by the graph display range, and updating the first graph coordinate range to a second graph coordinate range;
A graph display device characterized by that. The graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The graph presence index data generation means, when the graph represented by the graph data has data points both inside and outside the first graph coordinate range, end data points of the data points in the graph coordinate range And a first nearest data point closest to the end data point among data points outside the graph coordinate range, and based on an arrangement relationship between the end data point and the first nearest data point Generating the graph presence index data such that the graph presence index points to the first nearest data point as a direction in which the graph exists;
A graph display device characterized by that. A graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The graph presence index data generation means is a case where the graph represented by the graph data has no data points within the first graph coordinate range, and is within the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range. Generating the graph presence index data so as to indicate either the upper or lower direction in which the graph exists.
A graph display device characterized by that. The graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The graph presence index data generation means is a case where the graph represented by the graph data has no data points within the first graph coordinate range, and is outside the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range. The second nearest data point closest to the center position of the first graph display range among the data points of the graph, and the center position and the second nearest data point Generating the graph presence index data such that the graph presence index points to the second nearest data point as a direction in which the graph exists,
A graph display device characterized by that. A graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The graph presence indicator is displayed in a graph presence indicator display area provided around the graph display area on the display screen.
A graph display device characterized by that. A graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The display shape of the graph presence indicator on the display screen is an arrow,
A graph display device characterized by that. A graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A database as the storage means;
A data generation device that generates data that can be graph data and stores the data in the database;
A data processing system comprising: A graph display method for displaying a graph on a display screen of a display means according to setting conditions given through an input device,
An acquisition step of acquiring graph data from storage means for storing graph data;
A coordinate range setting step for setting a first graph coordinate range when displaying a graph on the display screen;
A graph display processing step of displaying a graph determined by the graph data on the display screen so that the first graph coordinate range becomes a graph display region;
Based on the graph data and the first graph coordinate range, it is determined whether or not there is a data point of the graph that is not displayed in the first graph coordinate range, and when there is a data point that is not displayed, the first A graph presence index data generation step for generating graph presence index data for displaying a graph presence index indicating a direction in which the graph exists outside the graph coordinate range;
With
In the graph display step, when the graph is displayed, the graph presence index is displayed based on the graph presence index data.
A graph display method characterized by that. The graph display method according to claim 11, comprising:
The graph presence indicator is displayed on the display screen so as to be selectively input by the input device,
When at least one graph presence index is selected and input in a state where at least one graph presence index is displayed on the display screen, it corresponds to the selected and input graph presence index determined based on the graph An update process step of updating the first graph coordinate range to the second graph coordinate range so that the data points of the graph not included in the first graph coordinate range are included, with the coordinate position being the center;
Further comprising
In the display processing step and the graph presence index data generation step, based on the second graph coordinate range, a process for displaying the graph and displaying the graph presence index is newly performed.
A graph display method characterized by that. The graph display method according to claim 12,
In the update processing step, when the selected graph presence index indicates a specific data point outside the graph coordinate range as a direction in which the graph exists, the coordinate position of the specific data point is the center. Updating the first graph coordinate range to the second graph coordinate range,
A graph display method characterized by that. The graph display method according to claim 12 or 13,
In the update processing step, when the selected graph presence index indicates the vertical direction outside the graph coordinate range as the direction in which the graph exists, the selected graph input index indicates the direction indicated by the graph presence index. Determining the central coordinate position based on a graph existing within a horizontal axis range defined by one graph display range, and updating the first graph coordinate range to a second graph coordinate range;
A graph display method characterized by that. A graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
In the graph presence index data generation step, when the graph represented by the graph data has data points both inside and outside the first graph coordinate range, end data among the data points in the graph coordinate range A point and a first nearest data point closest to the end data point among the data points outside the graph coordinate range, and based on an arrangement relationship between the end data point and the first nearest data point Generating the graph presence index data so that the graph presence index points to the first nearest data point as a direction in which the graph exists,
A graph display method characterized by that. A graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
In the graph presence index data generation step, a horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range when the graph represented by the graph data does not have a data point within the first graph coordinate range Generating the graph presence index data so as to indicate the upper or lower direction in which the graph exists when the graph exists in
A graph display method characterized by that. A graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 16,
In the graph presence index data generation, the graph represented by the graph data does not have a data point within the first graph coordinate range, and is outside the horizontal axis range defined by the first graph display range. The second nearest data point closest to the center position of the first graph display range among the data points of the graph, and the center position and the second nearest data point Generating the graph presence index data so that the graph presence index points to the second most recent data point as a direction in which the graph exists,
A graph display method characterized by that. A graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 17,
Displaying the graph presence indicator in a graph presence indicator display area provided around the graph display area on the display screen;
A graph display method characterized by that. A graph display method according to any one of claims 11 to 18,
The display shape of the graph presence indicator on the display screen is an arrow,
A graph display method characterized by that.   A program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to function as the graph display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images