Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graph generating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-06-05
Luu, Matthew (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graph generating
C345S418000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243105
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to other patent applications assigned to the instant assignee and filed on event date herewith. Each of these applications is incorporated into the instant application in its entirety and the applications are entitled: “Method for Setting and Displaying Performance Thresholds Using A Platform Independent Program”, “Method for Displaying Multiple Performance Measurements Of A Web Site Using A Platform Independent Program” and “Method For Calculating Capacity Measurements For An Internet Web Site”.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to monitoring historical performance of a web site, and more particularly, to a drill-down method to historical data of a web site using a performance monitor using a platform independent program.
2. Background of the Invention
A performance monitor has two functions. First, the performance monitor should allow an administrator to monitor the real-time and historical performance of a web site. This includes the ability to track several different types of measurements such as hit rate and response time. Second, the performance should make it easy for the administrator to analyze the performance of a web site, especially if the performance has strayed beyond specified thresholds. Most of today's performance monitors only address the first role and provide little or no assistance to the administrator beyond simply displaying the performance data.
Further a need exists for a performance monitor that can display real-time data and display alerts. From the display the administrator can drill-down and easily view data which caused the alert.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the role of providing the administrator with assistance in analyzing a web site's performance. The present invention provides a unique drill-down method that allows the administrator to go from a high-level measurement, such as a web site's peak hit rate, to a location on a detailed time-line graph where the value occurred. This enables the administrator to monitor the web site using only a handful of high-level measurements with the option of quickly drilling-down to detailed time-line based data when further analysis is required.
With the growing popularity of the Internet comes the ever increasing need for optimally performing web sites. Performance monitors have become an important tool in achieving that goal. The ability of performance monitors to display real-time and historical performance measurements allows the administrator to gain an understanding of how a web site is performing and make adjustments accordingly. However, displaying performance measurements is only half the picture because a tool is also needed to make it easy for the administrator to analyze the performance, especially when the performance of a web site is poor.
The focus of the present invention is to provide assistance to the administrator in analyzing a web site's performance over time. This has been achieved through a mechanism that allows the administrator to drill-down to more detailed historical data from higher level snapshot performance values. The administrator is thus able to easily monitor a web site's performance using only a handful of high level measurements. However, if performance goes astray the administrator can instantly drill-down to the point in time when the performance became unacceptable. The administrator is then able to view the measurements in the context of past and future performance as well as other related performance measures.
The present invention greatly enhances the administrator's ability to keep on top of a web site's performance by providing the ability to easily drill-down from high-level measurements to detailed historical data. It also helps keep the administrator from getting bogged down in detail performance data until circumstances warrant a deeper investigation.
The present invention provides a mechanism to quickly drill-down from a discrete measurement value to the location on a time-line graph where the value occurred. The three key components of the invention are 1) value boxes that display discrete performance measurements, 2) vertical white line value indicator, and 3) drill-down date/value label.
The drill-down mechanism of the present invention is most appropriately implemented in a tabbed environment where the value boxes are on a tab that displays real-time performance and the drill-down graph is on a tab that displays historical performance.
The value boxes that display discrete performance measurements such as low or peak values are the starting point for the drill-down. If the administrator sees a value that the administrator wants to investigate further, the administrator simply moves the mouse over the value box and clicks the mouse. This results in an immediate switch from the real-time tab to the history tab containing the drill-down graph.
The vertical white line value indicator is drawn on the spot on the time-line graph where the value occurred. This allows the administrator to easily see the value's location.
The drill-down date/value label is located just above the graph displays including the drill-down value and the date and time on the graph where the value occurred. This assists the administrator in easily determining the date and time of the drill-down value without having to calculate it from the vertical white line's position on the time-line scale.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a drill-down method in which an administrator can view high-level measurements, such as a web site's peak hit rate, to a location on a detailed time-line graph where the value occurred.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of drilling-down to historical data in a performance monitor where peak and low values of performance measurements are displayed and the drill-down is started by selecting one of these values.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method of displaying historical data where the peak value is highlighted with a vertical line and the peak value is also displayed.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a computer implemented method of changing a display from a display of individual peak values of web site performance to a graphical display of web site performance, including at least one of the individual values. The individual peak values representing real-time web site performance are displayed. One of the individual peak values is selected. A graphical display of historical performance is displayed which includes the selected individual peak value.
The foregoing objects are also achieved by a computer implemented method of changing a display of high level measurements representative of web site performance to low level measurements representative of the web site performance. The high level measurements are displayed. One of the high level measurements is selected. A graphical display of historical performance is presented which includes the selected high level measurement.
The foregoing objects are also achieved by a system for changing a display of individual peak values of web site performance to a graphical display of web site performance including at least one of the individual values. A user interface is provided that is configured to display at least one of the individual peak values and includes a corresponding number of buttons for selecting at least one of the individual peak values. A user interface is provided that is configured to display a graphical display of historical web server performance including the selected at least one individual peak value.
The foregoing objects are also achieved by an article including at least one sequence of machine executable instructions and a medium bearing the executable instructions in machine readable form, wherein execution of the instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to display the individual pe
Hoyer Gary G.
Ramer Rebecca A.
Havan Thu-Thao
Lowe Hauptman Gopstein Gilman & Berner
Luu Matthew
NCR Corporation
LandOfFree
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