Method of processing ocean profile data using interactive graphical techniques

Abstract

An interactive data analysis system is disclosed that utilizes interactive graphic techniques to analyze ocean properties of a region of interest. The interactive system allows for a user to edit observed ocean data based on his/her a priori knowledge and insight so as to derive accurate ocean profile data.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method utilizing interactive graphical techniques for an operator to analyze ocean data under consideration including temperature, salinity and other related properties such as sound speed, density and conductivity, said method comprising the steps of: 
       (a) displaying the ocean data under consideration;  
       (b) reviewing the originally displayed data by an operator employing deductive reasoning;  
       (c) changing the displayed data by interactive graphical techniques in response to the operator's deductive reasoning;  
       (d) reviewing the changed displayed data by said operator employing deductive reasoning for a second time; and  
       (e) continue changing the display data by said interactive graphical technique in response to the operator's deductive reasoning until the deductive reasoning of said operator determines that the display data satisfies the analysis expectation of said operator.  
     
     
       2. A method utilizing interactive graphic techniques for the analysis of ocean properties of a target region of interest comprising the steps of: 
       (a) providing a bank of data termed MOODS comprising observed ocean temperature and salinity profiles with the temperature profiles comprising sets of observations of temperature versus depth parameters both collected nearly simultaneously;  
       (b) providing latitude, longitude and time (LLT) parameters having temporal boundaries and serving as a generic data category for ocean profiles;  
       (c) providing display means for displaying latitude and longitude parameters that define regions of interest and temperature versus depth parameters correlatable to said regions of interest;  
       (d) providing means for drawing shaped polygons on said display means to specify locations of ocean profiles and vertical segments of ocean profiles;  
       (e) providing zooming means to more clearly define an area of said display means;  
       (f) selecting a target region of interest and displaying latitude and longitude parameters and temperature versus depth parameters of said region of interest;  
       (g) selecting said LLT parameters having temporal boundaries for said target region of interest;  
       (h) selecting the center date of said temporal boundaries and a range of days before and after said center date;  
       (i) selecting said MOODS for said target region of interest;  
       (j) drawing said selected said LLT parameters on said display means;  
       (k) drawing said selected MOODS for said target region of interest on said display means;  
       (l) selecting zooming means and zooming in on said displayed LLT parameters that are apparent boundaries of said region of interest;  
       (m) selecting polygon means to create two profiles on said display means separated from each other but still with the target region of interest having said apparent boundaries so as to gain appreciation that said selected LLT parameters and said MOOD are both in said region of interest; and  
       (n) continue selecting said polygon means to first gain appreciation that the ocean property desired to be analyzed is in said target region of interest and, then to definitively determine the analysis of said ocean property.