Chart Calculation Options Pane for Data Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data visualization systems face challenges in efficiently selecting and displaying chart calculation options for large datasets, leading to a high cognitive burden on users and suboptimal visualization of data.

Innovation Solution

The system displays a chart with visual marks representing calculated values, featuring a chart-calculations-options area that allows users to select types of calculations and data partitioning options, with visually distinguished marks indicating the current selections, enabling real-time updates and intuitive data manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional methods for selecting and displaying chart calculation options are used, then users can access calculation features, but the cognitive burden on users increases and the interface becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of selecting chart calculation optionsVSAvoidcognitive burden on user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chart interface into multiple panes (e.g., data pane, visualization pane, calculation options pane) that can be independently controlled and displayed. This segmentation allows users to focus on one aspect of chart creation at a time, reducing cognitive burden while maintaining access to all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional organization for chart options by displaying calculation options in a separate pane rather than embedding them within the main chart area. This spatial reorganization in another dimension allows users to access calculation features without cluttering the primary visualization space, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more chart calculation options are made available, then visualization flexibility increases, but the interface complexity and user effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of data visualizationVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing calculation options into categorized groups (e.g., aggregation functions, statistical calculations, custom calculations) that are prepared and displayed in a structured manner. This pre-organization allows users to access versatile calculation options without being overwhelmed by interface complexity, as the options are already arranged in a logical, easy-to-navigate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation options pane that acts as a mediator between the raw data and the final visualization. This intermediary layer provides a structured interface for selecting and configuring calculation options, reducing the direct complexity burden on users while maintaining full versatility of available calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If real-time updates of visual marks are implemented when options change, then visualization responsiveness improves, but processing time and system resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness of visualization updatesVSAvoidprocessing time for updates

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by updating only the specific visual marks and panes that are affected by option changes rather than recalculating and redrawing the entire chart. When a user modifies a calculation option, the system identifies and updates only the relevant portion of the visualization, improving responsiveness while reducing unnecessary processing time and system resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If multiple panes with different options are displayed concurrently, then access to various chart features improves, but display space requirements and interface clutter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to chart featuresVSAvoiddisplay space required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interface into multiple functional panes (data pane, visualization pane, calculation options pane) that can be displayed concurrently in a space-efficient layout. Each pane serves a specific function and can be independently sized, positioned, and collapsed, allowing users to access various chart features while optimizing display space usage based on current needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11704330B2User interface for generating data visualizations that use table calculations

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 TABLEAU SOFTWARE INC

AI summary

An electronic device displays a chart, which includes a first set of visual marks that represent values derived from a set of data. The device concurrently displays a chart-calculations-options area. The chart-calculations-options area displays a first plurality of options for type of calculation. The device detects user selection of (i) a first option, from the first plurality of options, for type of calculation and (ii) a second option corresponding to a parameter for the selected first option. In response to detecting the user selection, the device visually distinguishes visual marks in a second set of visual marks in the chart. The second set of visual marks is distinct from the first set of visual marks and corresponds to the first option for type of calculation and the second option corresponding to the parameter for the selected first option.