Chart Element Tagging for Selective Preservation During Visualization Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for automatic scaling and repositioning of chart elements in visualizations are restrictive and lack user control, often degrading the readability and aesthetic appeal of charts by eliminating critical elements or modifying display attributes undesirably during optimization.

Innovation Solution

A computing system that allows users to tag specific chart elements and their display attributes for preservation during resizing or modification, enabling selective preservation of these elements and attributes while modifying untagged elements, thus enhancing user control over chart optimizations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automatic scaling and repositioning of chart elements is applied during resizing, then the chart visualization can be adapted to different display sizes, but user control over which elements are preserved and how modifications are made is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechart adaptability to different display sizesVSAvoiduser control over element preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments chart elements into tagged and untagged categories, allowing differential treatment during optimization. Users can selectively tag specific elements (e.g., critical data points, important labels) to preserve them while allowing automatic optimization of untagged elements, thus maintaining both adaptability and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality levels to different chart elements through tagging. Tagged elements receive protected status with preserved display attributes, while untagged elements undergo full automatic optimization. This local differentiation allows the system to adapt to various display sizes while maintaining user-controlled preservation of critical elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If automatic optimization modifies chart element display attributes during resizing, then the overall chart can be optimized for the new size, but critical elements may be degraded or made unreadable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechart optimization efficiencyVSAvoidreadability of critical chart elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary tagging of critical chart elements before the automatic optimization process. By pre-identifying and tagging elements that must be preserved (such as critical data labels, important annotations, or key visual elements), the system ensures these elements are protected from degradation during subsequent automatic optimization operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tagging mechanism serves as an intermediary between user intent and the automatic optimization process. The tags act as a protective layer that mediates which elements undergo optimization and which are preserved, allowing the system to balance automatic optimization benefits with the need to maintain critical element readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic scaling reduces font sizes and modifies display attributes, then the chart fits smaller displays, but elements become obstructing, misaligned, or indefinite

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechart responsiveness to display size changesVSAvoidalignment and positioning accuracy of chart elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments chart elements into protected (tagged) and optimizable (untagged) groups. During automatic scaling, tagged elements maintain their precise original positioning and display attributes, while untagged elements are automatically repositioned and scaled. This segmentation preserves alignment precision for critical elements while still allowing adaptation to different display sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transformation qualities to different spatial regions of the chart. Tagged elements in critical regions maintain their exact positioning and display attributes, while untagged elements in non-critical regions undergo automatic scaling and repositioning. This local quality approach ensures that elements requiring precise alignment remain unaffected while other elements adapt to size changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10748312B2Tagging utilizations for selectively preserving chart elements during visualization optimizations

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Various methods, systems and storage devices are provided for tagging chart elements and for optimizing chart visualizations. Tagged chart elements and their corresponding display attributes are preserved during chart visualization optimizations that result in a modification of untagged chart elements.