User interface for data comparison

摘要

Systems and methods perform comparison of data represented as charts, for example, bar graphs, pie charts, line charts or stacked bar charts. The charts present visual representations mapping source values to target values. A user can select charts associated with a data records for comparison from an index of data records. The user selects a chart and a particular source value from the reference chart. The target values corresponding to the source value from other charts are compared against the target value from the reference chart. An aggregate of the target values associated with the source value from each chart may be presented to the user. The user can also use multi-touch input to select object representing data and drag them to perform actions associated with the objects. The actions performed on the objects depend on the locations of the objects as the user drags them.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying on a display screen a comparison of data presented as charts, the method comprising:
displaying a plurality of charts simultaneously on a screen of a portable display device, each chart including a plurality of records obtained from reports based on statistical data of an organization, each record having a first variable, a second variable, and a third variable, the first variable representing a time value, the second variable representing a statistical data value and the third variable representing an attribute of the organization, each chart mapping a set of time values to a set of statistical data values for a particular value of the third variable, each chart associated with a slider for receiving selections of records, the plurality of charts comprising a first chart and a second chart, wherein the first chart maps a first set of time values to a first set of statistical data values and the second chart maps the first set of time values to a second set of statistical data values, wherein the first set of statistical data values is distinct from the second set of statistical data values; receiving an input selecting a first record of a first chart using the slider, the first record having a first time value and a first statistical data value, the first chart included in the plurality of displayed charts, wherein each of the other charts in the plurality of charts maps the first time value to a statistical data value distinct from the first statistical data value; responsive to the selection of the first record of the first chart, modifying the display of each of the other charts in the plurality of charts displayed simultaneously on the screen of the portable display device, the modifying comprising, for each of the other charts:
displaying a matching record from the other chart, wherein the time value of the matching record matches the first time value and a visual representation of the matching record in the chart distinguishes the matching record from a visual representation of remaining records of the chart; anddisplaying in association with the other chart, indicia of a difference between the statistical data value of the matching record from the chart and the first statistical data value of the first record; receiving a dynamic input indicating movement along the slider, the movement causing the first time value to change; and responsive to the dynamic input, modifying the display of each of the other charts by updating the indicia of difference between the statistical data value of the other chart for the first time value and the statistical data value of the first chart for the first time value as the first time value changes.