Design Question. Data Acquisition/Display related.

[StepH]

Hi,

I'm building a little application, which the goal is to:

1./ Collect data via Serial line and or via a file (for playback).
2./ Display these data as graph, oscilloscope, ...

How manage this ?

1./ Is each "display" must responsible to acquire/read the data ?
2./ Or an engine collect the data then send them to each "display" ?

Also, how to "anim" this ?

1./ Via a timer ?
2./ Via a simple loop (read/update display/pause/read user key)

The app. will be a GUI (tkInter) app. and the user must be able to stop 
the process at any time.

Sure, all this must be maintenable, let's say to acquire data via other 
type of channel or to other type of display...

Yes, it's like a "mini" labView...

Any idea or link is welcome.

Thanks.

STepH.