Multi-touch Chart Comparison Interface for Data Aggregation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in efficiently comparing data presented in charts across multiple reports, as manual comparison is tedious and requires expertise in database systems, leading to complex and costly processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows multiple charts to be displayed on a device, enabling users to select and compare tuples across charts, with multi-touch input for performing actions like aggregating data, and highlighting differences, facilitating efficient data comparison without requiring extensive reporting system expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual comparison methods are used, then data comparison can be performed, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical comparison processes with automated computational systems. The system automatically retrieves data from multiple reports, processes it through comparison algorithms, and generates visual outputs, eliminating the need for manual data extraction and calculation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary comparison system that acts as a mediator between raw report data and user understanding. This system includes components for data retrieval, processing, and visualization that bridge the gap between complex report data and actionable insights, reducing the time users would otherwise spend on manual analysis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized reports are generated using database management systems, then data comparison capability is improved, but the process becomes complex and requires expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service comparison system where the system automatically performs data retrieval, processing, and visualization without requiring user expertise in database management or report generation. Users simply select the reports to compare, and the system handles all complex operations autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the complex report generation process into distinct modular components: data retrieval from reports, data processing and alignment, comparison execution, and result visualization. Each component is handled by a separate system module, allowing the overall process to be managed without requiring users to understand the underlying complexity of each stage.
3Loss of information
If data is presented in chart format, then visual understanding is improved, but manual identification and comparison of matching data points becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple charts representing different reports into a unified visual comparison display. The system aligns corresponding data points across charts and presents them in a coordinated manner, allowing users to see matching data points simultaneously rather than switching between separate visualizations, thereby maintaining visual understanding while easing comparison operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods perform comparison of data represented as charts, for example, bar graphs, pie charts, line charts or stacked bar charts. The charts present visual representations mapping source values to target values. A user can select charts associated with a data records for comparison from an index of data records. The user selects a chart and a particular source value from the reference chart. The target values corresponding to the source value from other charts are compared against the target value from the reference chart. An aggregate of the target values associated with the source value from each chart may be presented to the user. The user can also use multi-touch input to select object representing data and drag them to perform actions associated with the objects. The actions performed on the objects depend on the locations of the objects as the user drags them.