Comparative Analysis System for Business Intelligence Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the Business Intelligence (BI) domain, users face difficulties in comparing dimensional members across multiple dimensions due to sparse results matrices, physical display limits, and the two-dimensional nature of computer monitors, leading to cumbersome user interface manipulations and distractions from the primary analysis task.
Innovation Solution
A comparative analysis system that independently defines and manipulates dimensional members using a binary operator tree translated into a layout-oriented object model, allowing users to select and combine members from different dimensions or levels, and display them adjacently for easier comparison, using a display manager to facilitate compact and effective cross-tab views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If members from multiple dimensions are displayed on opposite axes of a cross-tab, then comparative analysis capability is improved, but display space is consumed and redundant members appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension called 'comparison dimension' that is separate from the traditional row and column axes. This allows members to be compared without consuming display space on the main cross-tab axes. The comparison dimension enables users to select multiple members from different dimensions and view them adjacently without affecting the primary data matrix layout.
2Ease of operation
If intervening members are hidden or deleted to improve display proximity, then comparison ease is improved, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the comparison function from the main cross-tab display and places it in a separate comparison view. This allows the main cross-tab to remain unchanged while providing a dedicated space for comparing selected members. The comparison dimension is separated from the data dimensions, allowing users to compare members without manipulating the primary data structure or hiding intervening members.
3Ease of operation
If cross-tab axis members are pinned and ranges collapsed to improve display proximity, then comparison ease is improved, but user interface gestures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to pre-select multiple members for comparison before generating the view. The system then automatically arranges these selected members adjacently in the comparison dimension without requiring any further manipulation during display. This preliminary selection action eliminates the need for subsequent pinning, collapsing, or scrolling gestures that would otherwise be required to bring comparison members together.
4Measurement precision
If dimensional members are independently defined and displayed adjacently, then comparative analysis accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a comparison dimension as an intermediary between the data dimensions and the display. This comparison dimension acts as a mediator that allows members from different dimensions to be displayed adjacently without requiring changes to the underlying multi-dimensional data model. The comparison dimension separates the concerns of data organization from the concerns of comparison display, reducing system complexity while improving comparative analysis accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A definition manager independently defines a plurality of dimensional members of a data source. An operation manager receives user input selecting a set of dimensional members of interest and at least one operator to manipulate the selected set of members based on the selected at least one operator. The set of dimensional members of interest comprise a first dimensional member of interest having a given dimension and a given level in a hierarchy of the given dimension and a second dimensional member of interest having a different dimension from the given dimension or a different level in the hierarchy from the given level in the hierarchy. A display manager places the manipulated set of dimensional members in a report so that the manipulated set of dimensional members are displayed adjacently based on the operator to facilitate comparative analysis.