WO2008142648A2 - Geospatial arrangement of data - Google Patents

Geospatial arrangement of data Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008142648A2
WO2008142648A2 PCT/IB2008/051995 IB2008051995W WO2008142648A2 WO 2008142648 A2 WO2008142648 A2 WO 2008142648A2 IB 2008051995 W IB2008051995 W IB 2008051995W WO 2008142648 A2 WO2008142648 A2 WO 2008142648A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
display
parameters
graphical interface
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2008/051995
Other languages
French (fr)
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WO2008142648A3 (en
Inventor
William Ernest Rutherford-Smith
Original Assignee
William Ernest Rutherford-Smith
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Publication date
Application filed by William Ernest Rutherford-Smith filed Critical William Ernest Rutherford-Smith
Publication of WO2008142648A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008142648A2/en
Publication of WO2008142648A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008142648A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T17/00—Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
    • G06T17/05—Geographic models
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/20—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of structured data, e.g. relational data
    • G06F16/24—Querying
    • G06F16/248—Presentation of query results
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T2200/00—Indexing scheme for image data processing or generation, in general
    • G06T2200/24—Indexing scheme for image data processing or generation, in general involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]

Definitions

  • This invention relates to geospatial arrangement of data. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of generating a display file, to a graphical interface, and to a management information system.
  • the inventor is aware of information systems on which data can be presented geospatially. However, such applications often relate to the display of navigation information and do not provide a user friendly method of defining the data that is to be displayed.
  • the aim of this invention is to address some of these problems.
  • a method of generating a display file including receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location; receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data; generating geospatial display data of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters.
  • Generating geospatial display data may include generating a display file on a computer, generating display data on a server for display by a remote computer, or the like.
  • the quantitative data may include at least one data set comprising at least two data fields arranged in at least two data categories.
  • At least one of the data categories may define a value which is to be displayed and in which the other of the data categories defines a geographical indicator indicating the geographical association of the value.
  • Each data set may therefore comprise a data field representing the value to be displayed and a data field representing the geographical indication of the value which is to be displayed.
  • the value to be displayed may comprise any alpha-numerical value.
  • the geographical indicator may represent a geographical location, such as a latitude/longitude combination, or any other indication which defines a geographical location.
  • the geographical indicator may be fed into each data field by hand.
  • the geographical indicator may be fed into each data field by importing it from an application such as a Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML) file representing geographical locations.
  • KML Keyhole Mark-up Language
  • the value to be displayed may represent any value which a user wants to represent geospatially.
  • the data categories may represent management information.
  • the management information may have geographical relevance.
  • the management information may include any information to which a value can be assigned such as employee numbers, sales figures, profit figures, or the like.
  • the quantitative data may include at least two data sets, which data sets may contain cross references to other data sets, thereby indicating associations between the data sets. For example where a data set contains a number of packages dispatched by a courier company from a particular location, there may be a cross reference to another data set which contains particular destination locations.
  • the quantitative data may be represented in tabular form with a data set represented by a row of data in the table, a data field a single entry in the table and the data categories at least two columns in the table, the one column representing a geographical indication and the other column representing a value which is to be displayed. It is to be appreciated that the invention does not require the data to be structured in tabular form.
  • the quantitative data may be arranged in multiple data sources, the data sources comprising one or more data sets.
  • the data sources may be in the form of computer readable files, each of which includes data sets.
  • a graphical interface which includes input means for receiving quantitative data, the quantitative data associated with at least one geographical location; user definition means operable to define display parameters for the display of quantitative data; display generation means operable to receive the quantitative data and, based on user defined parameters operable to generate a display file of the quantitative data, the display file to be generated according to the display parameters and to be overlaid on a graphical display.
  • the display generation means may be operable to generate geospatial display parameters to be implemented in the display of geospatial data, such as on a geographical display.
  • the quantitative data may be arranged in multiple data sources, comprising one or more data sets.
  • the user definition means may include interface definition means operable to define the data sources, also referred to as data interfaces.
  • the interface definition means may include user definable formatting parameters operable to format the data in the data source.
  • the user definable formatting parameters may define graphical display parameters of each data source.
  • the formatting parameters may be arranged in at least one of the following categories: general formatting parameters, sizing parameters, colour parameters, sort field parameters and data label parameters.
  • the general formatting parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
  • the general formatting parameters may define a known three- dimensional geometrical shape, which is to be displayed with geospatial data.
  • the general formatting parameters may include a definition of a user defined three dimensional shape which need not be restricted to a particular polygon-type geometric shape.
  • the sizing parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
  • the colour parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
  • the logical expression may be in the form of a Visual Basic expression, or the like.
  • the sort field parameters may define an algorithm according to which geometric shapes, which are generated based on particular data fields, are arranged relative to each other.
  • Multiple geometric shapes based on multiple data fields in a data source may be displayed on a single display screen. However, to distinguish between the geometric shapes, they may be created in spatial relationship to each other, such as next to each other, on top of each other, etc.
  • - a data field identification indicator, indicating the field which is to be displayed; - a direction indicator, if the parameters are to be spaced next to each other;
  • - a data field identification indicator, corresponding to a data field defined in the sort field parameters in combination with a logical operator field indicating a particular value next to the data field indicator; - a normal display colour and a highlighted display colour, which is applicable if a geospatial display is viewed and an indicator such as a mouse hovers over the geometric shape; and
  • a management information system which includes a user interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system a display operable to display information to a user; a processor operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means.
  • the input means may be in the form of a data interface operable to receive quantitative data and a geographical location associated with the data.
  • Figure 1 shows a tabular arrangement of quantitative data of a method in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 shows an interface definition screen of a graphical interface in accordance with the invention
  • Figures 3 to 7 show user definition screens for defining display parameters via a graphical interface in accordance with the invention.
  • Figures 8 to 10 show graphical displays generated by implementation of a method in accordance with the invention.
  • the invention is illustrated as screenshots of a graphical interface shown in Figures 1 to 9.
  • the graphical interface includes input means for receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location (see Figure 1 ).
  • the graphical interface further includes user definition means ( Figures 3 to 7) operable to define display parameters for the display of quantitative data.
  • the user definition means includes interface definition means which is described in relation to Figure 1 , below.
  • the data sources in this example are in the form of computer readable files, each of which includes data sets.
  • the interface definition means may include user definable formatting parameters operable to format the data in the data source for display thereof.
  • the graphical interface includes also display generation means operable to receive the quantitative data and, based on user definable formatting parameters described in Figures 3 to 7, is operable to generate a display file of the quantitative data, the display file to be generated according to the display parameters and to be overlaid on a graphical display ( Figures 8 and 9).
  • the description of the graphical interface will illustrate a method of generating a display file which includes receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location as illustrated in Figure 1 , receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data as illustrated in Figures 3 to 7 and generating a geospatial display file of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.
  • the example illustrated in this specification is for a management information system, which includes a user interface such as a keyboard or a data interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system, a display such as a data display screen operable to display information to a user and a processor such as a desktop computer operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means.
  • a user interface such as a keyboard or a data interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system
  • a display such as a data display screen operable to display information to a user
  • a processor such as a desktop computer operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means.
  • the embodiment of the management information system in for example a desktop computer will not be described in detail, but the implementation containing management information which is displayed, is described in Figures 8 and 9.
  • Figure 1 the quantitative data is arranged in tabular form in a spreadsheet 10.
  • the spreadsheet/table 10 there are shown twelve data sets in the form of rows of the table illustrated by reference numerals 12.1 to 12.12 (for clarity, not all the numerals are shown). Eight data categories are illustrated in the columns 14.1 to 14.8 (for clarity, not all the numerals are shown) of the table 10.
  • the columns 14.7 and 14.8 represent geographical indications and the columns 14.1 to 14.6 represent values that can be displayed. It is to be appreciated that the invention does not require the data to be structured in tabular form.
  • the data can be arranged in unstructured data records which can define the respective data sets.
  • a single cell such as the date indicated in row 12.12, column 14.1 is referred to as a data field which represents in single entry in the table 10. All the cells in columns 14.1 and 14.3 to 14.6 represent values that can be displayed with reference to the geographical indicators 14.7 and 14.8.
  • the quantitative data includes at least one data set comprising at least two data fields arranged in at least two data categories. At least one of the data categories defines a value which is to be displayed the other of the data categories defines a geographical indicator indicating the geographical association of the value.
  • Each of the data sets 12.1 to 12.12 therefore comprises data fields representing values to be displayed and data fields representing the geographical indication of the values.
  • the values to be displayed can comprise any alpha-numerical value, such as a date in 14.1 , alpha numerical strings in
  • the geographical indicators represent a geographical position in the form of a latitude/longitude combination 14.7, 14.8.
  • branches indicated in 14.2 are also associated with the latitude/longitude combinations in 14.7, 14.8.
  • the geographical indicators can take any form which defines a geographical position.
  • the geographical indications were entered into each data field by hand.
  • the geographical indicators can also be imported from an application such as Google EarthTM which implements a Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML) file format representing geographical locations, or indeed any other application which can provide a geographical reference.
  • KML Keyhole Mark-up Language
  • the value to be displayed can be represented by any value which a user wants to represent geospatially.
  • the branches in 14.2 are indicated by abbreviations for Gauteng, Africa (GAUJHB) or Kwazulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg (KZNPMB), which are province and town references in South Africa.
  • the data categories indicated in 14.1 and 14.3 to 14.6 therefore represent management information which has geographical relevance.
  • the quantitative data includes multiple data sources, each of which comprising a number of data sets.
  • the user definition means includes an interface definition screen 20 in which multiple data sources/data interfaces can be defined. Each if the data sources/data interfaces can be similar to the data illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the interface definition screen 20 is arranged in tabular form with ten data sources 22.1 to 22.10. Each data source is identified with a unique identification number 24.1 , a name 24.2, a type 24.3, a description 24.4, a source table 24.5, a source file path 24.6 and a data source 24.7.
  • the type descriptor 24.3 indicates the number of sides of a geometric shape, for example the type "3" may represent a triangular shape.
  • the type would be identified as "custom". For example if the data is to be sorted by province/state and then by month, for each state/province a variable number of geographical points would be defined, in combination outlining the area presented by each. The height value of each month may then by stacked on top of the shape of the state/province, the width field would no longer be relevant in this case.
  • the state of Texas may for example have thirty points to give a rough outline and Utah may have five.
  • sales regions may be represented by different shapes, each of which may be allocated to a different sales team or sales person.
  • the last column 24.8 (shown partly) indicates when last the interface has been updated.
  • Each of the data sources can be displayed on a geospatial display ( Figures 8 and 9).
  • the way in which the data sources are displayed is configured by user definition means in the form of interface definition screens, illustrated in Figures 3 to 7.
  • Figures 3 to 7 shows interface definition screens which are accessible if a user opens a data source from the interface definition screen 20 in Figure 2.
  • the screens are available as tabs marked as "General", “Size”, “Colours”, “Sort fields” and "Labels”.
  • the "General" interface definition screen 30 is shown.
  • the user definable parameters in this screen 30 include the name of the data source 32, which is a user assignable name, a user assignable description of the data source 34, geometric display parameters which define a geometric shape in which the data is to be displayed.
  • the number of sides of a polygon can be selected in 36.
  • the data sources detected on the computer is listed and can be selected by a user. All the tables in the data source selected in 38 are displayed in 40 and are user selectable.
  • a deployment path is shown in 42 files can be deployed to a local directory or a network path for sharing amongst different users. This way security access to deployed files can be controlled by the host network security.
  • the Filename is compiled using the interface id, name, type and description. However, the filename can be compiled by use of a logical expression from a list of keywords or Visual BasicTM functions. For example if the user wants the filename to indicate the Interface and the current date.
  • Active selector 48 can be ticked and an execution interval is defined at 50 with a starting time defined at 52. The last execution date is entered at 54 and the next execution date is indicated at 56.
  • FIG 4 the "Size" interface definition screen 60 is shown.
  • the position of the geometric shape is defined in the position portion 62 of the screen indicating a starting latitude and longitude position 62.1 , 62.2 and an end position 62.3, 62.4.
  • the height of the shape is programmed at 64 by entering a source data field name in 64.1 and a scale factor in 64.2.
  • the width of the shape is programmed at 66 by entering a source data field name in 66.1 and a scale factor in 66.2.
  • FIG. 5 the "Colours" interface definition screen 70 is shown.
  • the identification number of the logical expression to be programmed is entered at 72 and a fieldname can be selected at 74.
  • a logical operator to be applied to the data in the data field can be selected at 76 and a condition in the form of a
  • Visual BasicTM operator is entered in 78.
  • the entire logical operator can be entered manually in 78 irrespective to what is entered at 74 and 76.
  • the options selected in 74 and 76 are intended to be used as a guide by novice users.
  • the colour is selected in 80 and the opacity data is selected at 82.
  • the "Sort Fields” interface definition screen 90 is shown.
  • the "Sort Fields” are selected in 92.1 to 92.3 and their positions relative to each other are selected in 94.1 to 94.3.
  • the directions relative to each other are selected by geographic direction indicators in 96.1 and 96.2 with the gaps between the shapes indicated in 98.1 to 98.3 and the sort selector selectable in 100.1 to 100.3.
  • the labels are selected in 1 12.1 to 1 12.3, the calculation field which is a logical expression, is named in 1 14.1 to 1 14.3 their normal colour definition is programmed at 1 16 and their highlighted colour definition is programmed at 118.
  • Icons associated with the labels can be selected in the icon definition portions 120, 122, 124.
  • the position of the icons are selected at 120.1 and 120.2, their storage filed location in 120.3 and their normal and highlighted colour definitions in 120.4 and 120.5.
  • the graphical interface is shown in operation in Figure 8 and 9.
  • FIG 8 the geometrical figures were selected as a nine sided polygons, which are stacked on top of each other. Although the illustration does not show it, different colours were selected to show differing incomes for each month. With the cursor hovering over the top figure shown in front, the income of January 2007 is highlighted as R1 ,577,872. At the top of the highest shape, the town name George appears with a total income of R16,307,200 shown in opaque.
  • the display functionality has been programmed by means of the user definable formatting parameters described in Figures 3 to 7.
  • FIG 10 data sets which are cross referenced with other data sets are shown.
  • the data is represented as polygons extending from one geographical location to another geographical location, indicating the quantitative value of the cross-referenced data.
  • the cross referenced data is of particular use when the quantitative data represent relationships/associations between locations, such as for example passengers travelling on an airline between locations, packages transported by a courier company between locations, or the like.
  • the graphical interface was programmed as a management information system.
  • the example further illustrates a method of generating a display file in the format described.
  • the inventor believes that the invention as described and illustrated provides a new interface, system and method which may be of particular use in the geospatial display of management data. Furthermore, given the prior art, the inventor believes that this user friendly graphical interface provides a substantial advance in this field of technology.

Abstract

A method of generating a display file, the method including receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location, receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data, generating geospatial display data of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters.

Description

GEOSPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF DATA
This invention relates to geospatial arrangement of data. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of generating a display file, to a graphical interface, and to a management information system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor is aware of information systems on which data can be presented geospatially. However, such applications often relate to the display of navigation information and do not provide a user friendly method of defining the data that is to be displayed. The aim of this invention is to address some of these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of generating a display file, the method including receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location; receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data; generating geospatial display data of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters. Generating geospatial display data may include generating a display file on a computer, generating display data on a server for display by a remote computer, or the like.
The quantitative data may include at least one data set comprising at least two data fields arranged in at least two data categories.
At least one of the data categories may define a value which is to be displayed and in which the other of the data categories defines a geographical indicator indicating the geographical association of the value.
Each data set may therefore comprise a data field representing the value to be displayed and a data field representing the geographical indication of the value which is to be displayed. The value to be displayed may comprise any alpha-numerical value.
The geographical indicator may represent a geographical location, such as a latitude/longitude combination, or any other indication which defines a geographical location.
The geographical indicator may be fed into each data field by hand.
The geographical indicator may be fed into each data field by importing it from an application such as a Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML) file representing geographical locations.
The value to be displayed may represent any value which a user wants to represent geospatially.
The data categories may represent management information. The management information may have geographical relevance. The management information may include any information to which a value can be assigned such as employee numbers, sales figures, profit figures, or the like.
The quantitative data may include at least two data sets, which data sets may contain cross references to other data sets, thereby indicating associations between the data sets. For example where a data set contains a number of packages dispatched by a courier company from a particular location, there may be a cross reference to another data set which contains particular destination locations.
The quantitative data may be represented in tabular form with a data set represented by a row of data in the table, a data field a single entry in the table and the data categories at least two columns in the table, the one column representing a geographical indication and the other column representing a value which is to be displayed. It is to be appreciated that the invention does not require the data to be structured in tabular form.
The quantitative data may be arranged in multiple data sources, the data sources comprising one or more data sets.
The data sources may be in the form of computer readable files, each of which includes data sets.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a graphical interface, which includes input means for receiving quantitative data, the quantitative data associated with at least one geographical location; user definition means operable to define display parameters for the display of quantitative data; display generation means operable to receive the quantitative data and, based on user defined parameters operable to generate a display file of the quantitative data, the display file to be generated according to the display parameters and to be overlaid on a graphical display.
The display generation means may be operable to generate geospatial display parameters to be implemented in the display of geospatial data, such as on a geographical display.
The quantitative data may be arranged in multiple data sources, comprising one or more data sets.
The user definition means may include interface definition means operable to define the data sources, also referred to as data interfaces.
The interface definition means may include user definable formatting parameters operable to format the data in the data source.
The user definable formatting parameters may define graphical display parameters of each data source.
The formatting parameters may be arranged in at least one of the following categories: general formatting parameters, sizing parameters, colour parameters, sort field parameters and data label parameters.
The general formatting parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
- name of the data source, which may be a user assignable name;
- a user assignable description of the data source; - geometric display parameters which may define a geometric shape in which the data is to be displayed;
- computer file and pathname information of the data source; and - update details of when the data source is to be updated on the graphical display.
The general formatting parameters may define a known three- dimensional geometrical shape, which is to be displayed with geospatial data.
The general formatting parameters may include a definition of a user defined three dimensional shape which need not be restricted to a particular polygon-type geometric shape.
The sizing parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
- the size of a geometric shape, for example in geographic coordinates, which may be variable in terms of a particular data field in the data source;
- the height of a geometrical shape, which may be variable in terms of a particular data field in the data source; and
- the width of a geometrical shape, which may be variable in terms of a particular data field in the data source.
The colour parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
- an identification field;
- a list of the available data fields for use in a logical expression; and - a logical expression to be performed on the data fields; and
- a predefined colour which is to be used.
The logical expression may be in the form of a Visual Basic expression, or the like. The sort field parameters may define an algorithm according to which geometric shapes, which are generated based on particular data fields, are arranged relative to each other.
Multiple geometric shapes based on multiple data fields in a data source may be displayed on a single display screen. However, to distinguish between the geometric shapes, they may be created in spatial relationship to each other, such as next to each other, on top of each other, etc.
The sort field parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
- a position/placement indicator, i.e. on top or next to each other;
- a data field identification indicator, indicating the field which is to be displayed; - a direction indicator, if the parameters are to be spaced next to each other;
- a spacing between the geometric shapes; and
- whether the geometric shapes need to be sorted in some or other order.
The data label parameters may include the following user definable parameters:
- a data field identification indicator, corresponding to a data field defined in the sort field parameters in combination with a logical operator field indicating a particular value next to the data field indicator; - a normal display colour and a highlighted display colour, which is applicable if a geospatial display is viewed and an indicator such as a mouse hovers over the geometric shape; and
- icons definitions associated with the particular display field.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a management information system, which includes a user interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system a display operable to display information to a user; a processor operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means.
The input means may be in the form of a data interface operable to receive quantitative data and a geographical location associated with the data.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a set of computer executable instructions, which, when executed on a computer performs the method as hereinbefore described.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:
DRAWINGS
In the drawing(s):
Figure 1 shows a tabular arrangement of quantitative data of a method in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows an interface definition screen of a graphical interface in accordance with the invention;
Figures 3 to 7 show user definition screens for defining display parameters via a graphical interface in accordance with the invention; and
Figures 8 to 10 show graphical displays generated by implementation of a method in accordance with the invention.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The example of the invention described shows a graphical interface and a management information system implementing a method of generating a display file, in accordance with the invention. This example will be described by way of screen prints of a computer taken from different screens which illustrates the invention as described.
The invention is illustrated as screenshots of a graphical interface shown in Figures 1 to 9. The graphical interface includes input means for receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location (see Figure 1 ). The graphical interface further includes user definition means (Figures 3 to 7) operable to define display parameters for the display of quantitative data.
In this example the user definition means includes interface definition means which is described in relation to Figure 1 , below. The data sources in this example are in the form of computer readable files, each of which includes data sets. The interface definition means may include user definable formatting parameters operable to format the data in the data source for display thereof.
The graphical interface includes also display generation means operable to receive the quantitative data and, based on user definable formatting parameters described in Figures 3 to 7, is operable to generate a display file of the quantitative data, the display file to be generated according to the display parameters and to be overlaid on a graphical display (Figures 8 and 9).
The description of the graphical interface will illustrate a method of generating a display file which includes receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location as illustrated in Figure 1 , receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data as illustrated in Figures 3 to 7 and generating a geospatial display file of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.
The example illustrated in this specification is for a management information system, which includes a user interface such as a keyboard or a data interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system, a display such as a data display screen operable to display information to a user and a processor such as a desktop computer operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means. The embodiment of the management information system in for example a desktop computer will not be described in detail, but the implementation containing management information which is displayed, is described in Figures 8 and 9.
In Figure 1 the quantitative data is arranged in tabular form in a spreadsheet 10. In the spreadsheet/table 10, there are shown twelve data sets in the form of rows of the table illustrated by reference numerals 12.1 to 12.12 (for clarity, not all the numerals are shown). Eight data categories are illustrated in the columns 14.1 to 14.8 (for clarity, not all the numerals are shown) of the table 10. The columns 14.7 and 14.8 represent geographical indications and the columns 14.1 to 14.6 represent values that can be displayed. It is to be appreciated that the invention does not require the data to be structured in tabular form. The data can be arranged in unstructured data records which can define the respective data sets. A single cell such as the date indicated in row 12.12, column 14.1 is referred to as a data field which represents in single entry in the table 10. All the cells in columns 14.1 and 14.3 to 14.6 represent values that can be displayed with reference to the geographical indicators 14.7 and 14.8.
Therefore, the quantitative data includes at least one data set comprising at least two data fields arranged in at least two data categories. At least one of the data categories defines a value which is to be displayed the other of the data categories defines a geographical indicator indicating the geographical association of the value.
Each of the data sets 12.1 to 12.12 therefore comprises data fields representing values to be displayed and data fields representing the geographical indication of the values. The values to be displayed can comprise any alpha-numerical value, such as a date in 14.1 , alpha numerical strings in
14.3 and 14.4 and numerical values in 14.5 and 14.6.
In this example, the geographical indicators represent a geographical position in the form of a latitude/longitude combination 14.7, 14.8. However, as can be seen, branches indicated in 14.2 are also associated with the latitude/longitude combinations in 14.7, 14.8. It is therefore to be appreciated that the geographical indicators can take any form which defines a geographical position. Typically, in this example, the geographical indications were entered into each data field by hand. However, the geographical indicators can also be imported from an application such as Google Earth™ which implements a Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML) file format representing geographical locations, or indeed any other application which can provide a geographical reference.
The value to be displayed can be represented by any value which a user wants to represent geospatially. In this example, the branches in 14.2 are indicated by abbreviations for Gauteng, Johannesburg (GAUJHB) or Kwazulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg (KZNPMB), which are province and town references in South Africa.
The data categories indicated in 14.1 and 14.3 to 14.6 therefore represent management information which has geographical relevance.
In this example, the quantitative data includes multiple data sources, each of which comprising a number of data sets. As can be seen in Figure 2, the user definition means includes an interface definition screen 20 in which multiple data sources/data interfaces can be defined. Each if the data sources/data interfaces can be similar to the data illustrated in Figure 1 . The interface definition screen 20 is arranged in tabular form with ten data sources 22.1 to 22.10. Each data source is identified with a unique identification number 24.1 , a name 24.2, a type 24.3, a description 24.4, a source table 24.5, a source file path 24.6 and a data source 24.7.
In particular, the type descriptor 24.3 indicates the number of sides of a geometric shape, for example the type "3" may represent a triangular shape. In the case of a custom defined shape the type would be identified as "custom". For example if the data is to be sorted by province/state and then by month, for each state/province a variable number of geographical points would be defined, in combination outlining the area presented by each. The height value of each month may then by stacked on top of the shape of the state/province, the width field would no longer be relevant in this case. The state of Texas may for example have thirty points to give a rough outline and Utah may have five. In another example of a "custom" type, sales regions may be represented by different shapes, each of which may be allocated to a different sales team or sales person.
The last column 24.8 (shown partly) indicates when last the interface has been updated.
Each of the data sources can be displayed on a geospatial display (Figures 8 and 9). The way in which the data sources are displayed is configured by user definition means in the form of interface definition screens, illustrated in Figures 3 to 7. Figures 3 to 7 shows interface definition screens which are accessible if a user opens a data source from the interface definition screen 20 in Figure 2. The screens are available as tabs marked as "General", "Size", "Colours", "Sort fields" and "Labels". In Figure 3 the "General" interface definition screen 30, is shown. The user definable parameters in this screen 30 include the name of the data source 32, which is a user assignable name, a user assignable description of the data source 34, geometric display parameters which define a geometric shape in which the data is to be displayed. In this example the number of sides of a polygon can be selected in 36. In 38 the data sources detected on the computer is listed and can be selected by a user. All the tables in the data source selected in 38 are displayed in 40 and are user selectable. A deployment path is shown in 42 files can be deployed to a local directory or a network path for sharing amongst different users. This way security access to deployed files can be controlled by the host network security. There may be a folder for general managers, and another folder for upper management with limited access that contains sensitive data and a filename can be selected in 44. By default the Filename is compiled using the interface id, name, type and description. However, the filename can be compiled by use of a logical expression from a list of keywords or Visual Basic™ functions. For example if the user wants the filename to indicate the Interface and the current date.
Scheduling details are entered in portion 46 of the screen. An
Active selector 48 can be ticked and an execution interval is defined at 50 with a starting time defined at 52. The last execution date is entered at 54 and the next execution date is indicated at 56.
In Figure 4 the "Size" interface definition screen 60 is shown. The position of the geometric shape is defined in the position portion 62 of the screen indicating a starting latitude and longitude position 62.1 , 62.2 and an end position 62.3, 62.4.
The height of the shape is programmed at 64 by entering a source data field name in 64.1 and a scale factor in 64.2. The width of the shape is programmed at 66 by entering a source data field name in 66.1 and a scale factor in 66.2.
In Figure 5 the "Colours" interface definition screen 70 is shown. The identification number of the logical expression to be programmed is entered at 72 and a fieldname can be selected at 74. A logical operator to be applied to the data in the data field can be selected at 76 and a condition in the form of a
Visual Basic™ operator is entered in 78. The entire logical operator can be entered manually in 78 irrespective to what is entered at 74 and 76. The options selected in 74 and 76 are intended to be used as a guide by novice users. The colour is selected in 80 and the opacity data is selected at 82.
In Figure 6, the "Sort Fields" interface definition screen 90 is shown. The "Sort Fields" are selected in 92.1 to 92.3 and their positions relative to each other are selected in 94.1 to 94.3. The directions relative to each other are selected by geographic direction indicators in 96.1 and 96.2 with the gaps between the shapes indicated in 98.1 to 98.3 and the sort selector selectable in 100.1 to 100.3.
In Figure 7, the "Labels" interface definition screen 1 10 is shown.
The labels are selected in 1 12.1 to 1 12.3, the calculation field which is a logical expression, is named in 1 14.1 to 1 14.3 their normal colour definition is programmed at 1 16 and their highlighted colour definition is programmed at 118. Icons associated with the labels can be selected in the icon definition portions 120, 122, 124. The position of the icons are selected at 120.1 and 120.2, their storage filed location in 120.3 and their normal and highlighted colour definitions in 120.4 and 120.5.
The graphical interface is shown in operation in Figure 8 and 9.
In Figure 8 the geometrical figures were selected as a nine sided polygons, which are stacked on top of each other. Although the illustration does not show it, different colours were selected to show differing incomes for each month. With the cursor hovering over the top figure shown in front, the income of January 2007 is highlighted as R1 ,577,872. At the top of the highest shape, the town name George appears with a total income of R16,307,200 shown in opaque. The display functionality has been programmed by means of the user definable formatting parameters described in Figures 3 to 7.
In Figure 9, the same data is shown as in Figure 8, with the largest polygon for the town George hidden. However, on the left side of the screen there are shown different sort fields which are user selectable to be displayed on the main display area on the right hand side of the screen.
In Figure 10, data sets which are cross referenced with other data sets are shown. As can be seen, the data is represented as polygons extending from one geographical location to another geographical location, indicating the quantitative value of the cross-referenced data. The cross referenced data is of particular use when the quantitative data represent relationships/associations between locations, such as for example passengers travelling on an airline between locations, packages transported by a courier company between locations, or the like.
The examples shown in Figures 8 to 10 provide a seamless interface with the well known Google Earth™ program which uses the KML programming language.
As can be seen the graphical interface was programmed as a management information system. The example further illustrates a method of generating a display file in the format described.
The inventor believes that the invention as described and illustrated provides a new interface, system and method which may be of particular use in the geospatial display of management data. Furthermore, given the prior art, the inventor believes that this user friendly graphical interface provides a substantial advance in this field of technology.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method of generating a display file, the method including receiving quantitative data which is associated with at least one geographical location; receiving display parameters for the display of quantitative data; generating geospatial display data of the quantitative data, based on the display parameters.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which generating geospatial display data includes any one of generating a display file on a computer, and generating display data on a server for display by a remote computer.
3. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, in which the quantitative data includes at least one data set comprising at least two data fields arranged in at least two data categories.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of the data categories defines a value which is to be displayed and in which the other of the data categories defines a geographical indicator indicating the geographical association of the value.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the value to be displayed comprises any alpha-numerical value.
6. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the geographical indicator represents a geographical location.
7. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the geographical indicator is fed into each data field by hand.
8. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the geographical indicator is fed into each data field by importing it from an application representing geographical locations.
9. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the data categories represents management information.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, in which the management information has geographical relevance.
11 . A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the quantitative data includes at least two data sets, which data sets contains cross references to other data sets, thereby indicating associations between the data sets.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 , in which the quantitative data is represented in tabular form with a data set represented by a row of data in the table, a data field a single entry in the table and the data categories at least two columns in the table, the one column representing a geographical indication and the other column representing a value which is to be displayed.
13. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the quantitative data is arranged in multiple data sources, the data sources comprising one or more data sets.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the data sources are in the form of computer readable files, each of which includes data sets.
15. A graphical interface, which includes input means for receiving quantitative data, the quantitative data associated with at least one geographical location; user definition means operable to define display parameters for the display of quantitative data; display generation means operable to receive the quantitative data and, based on user defined parameters operable to generate a display file of the quantitative data, the display file to be generated according to the display parameters and to be overlaid on a graphical display.
16. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 15, in which the display generation means is operable to generate geospatial display parameters to be implemented in the display of geospatial data.
17. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 15, in which the quantitative data is arranged in multiple data sources, comprising one or more data sets.
18. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 17, in which the user definition means includes interface definition means operable to define the data sources.
19. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 18, in which the interface definition means includes user definable formatting parameters operable to format the data in the data source.
20. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 19, in which the user definable formatting parameters defines graphical display parameters of each data source.
21 . A graphical interface as claimed in claim 20, in which the formatting parameters are arranged in at least one of the following categories: general formatting parameters, sizing parameters, colour parameters, sort field parameters and data label parameters.
22. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the general formatting parameters include the following user definable parameters: - name of the data source;
- a user assignable description of the data source;
- geometric display parameters;
- computer file and pathname information of the data source; and - update details of when the data source is to be updated on the graphical display.
23. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the general formatting parameters defines a known three-dimensional geometrical shape, which is to be displayed with geospatial data.
24. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the general formatting parameters includes a definition of a user defined three dimensional shape.
25. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the sizing parameters includes the following user definable parameters:
- the size of a geometric shape;
- the height of a geometrical shape; and - the width of a geometrical shape.
26. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the colour parameters includes the following user definable parameters:
- an identification field; - a list of the available data fields for use in a logical expression; and
- a logical expression to be performed on the data fields; and
- a predefined colour which is to be used.
27. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 26, in which the logical expression is in the form of a Visual Basic expression.
28. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the sort field parameters define an algorithm according to which geometric shapes, which are generated based on particular data fields, are arranged relative to each other.
29. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 28, in which the sort field parameters include the following user definable parameters:
- a position/placement indicator;
- a data field identification indicator, indicating the field which is to be displayed; - a direction indicator, if the parameters are to be spaced next to each other;
- a spacing between the geometric shapes; and
- whether the geometric shapes need to be sorted in some or other order.
30. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 21 , in which the data label parameters include the following user definable parameters:
- a data field identification indicator, corresponding to a data field defined in the sort field parameters in combination with a logical operator field indicating a particular value next to the data field indicator; - a normal display colour and a highlighted display colour, which is applicable if a geospatial display is viewed and an indicator such as a mouse hovers over the geometric shape; and
- icons definitions associated with the particular display field.
31 . A management information system, which includes a user interface operable to permit a user to enter data into the information system a display operable to display information to a user; a processor operable to implement the graphical interface by receiving inputs from the user interface and to display data generated by the display generation means.
32. A management information system as claimed in claim 31 , in which the input means is in the form of a data interface operable to receive quantitative data and a geographical location associated with the data.
33. A set of computer executable instructions, which, when executed on a computer performs the method as claimed in claim 1 to 14.
34. A method as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.
35. A graphical interface as claimed in claim 15, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
36. A management information system as claimed in claim 31 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.
37. A set of computer executable instructions as claimed in claim 33, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
38. A new method, a new graphical interface, a new management information system and a new set of computer executable instructions, substantially as herein described.
PCT/IB2008/051995 2007-05-21 2008-05-21 Geospatial arrangement of data WO2008142648A2 (en)

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