Component Data Visualization Using Hierarchical Icon Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data visualization methods become overly complex as data volume increases, obscuring important information and failing to effectively represent the relative importance of components across different groups.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a graphical representation of components grouped by multiple types, using icons positioned based on relative metric values to visually highlight the proportion of selected metrics across component groups, enabling users to easily interpret relative values and relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional charting methods are used to represent data, then detailed information can be displayed, but the visualization becomes overly complex and obscures important information as data volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visualization into distinct hierarchical levels: parent items and their constituent components. Each level is represented separately with its own visual elements (parent item indicators and component indicators), allowing detailed component information to be displayed without overwhelming the overall structure. This segmentation enables users to focus on specific levels of detail as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the visualization by positioning parent item indicators and component indicators at different locations (e.g., parent items in a first location, components in a second location). This dimensional separation allows the visualization to convey hierarchical relationships and relative proportions without creating a dense, confusing single-space representation.
2Loss of information
If hierarchical tables or bills of materials are used to show component contributions, then component lists are provided, but the relative importance and correlation of components across different groups is not effectively represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color coding to differentiate between parent items and their components, and to indicate grouping relationships. By assigning distinct colors or color patterns to different parent items and their associated components, the visualization immediately conveys hierarchical relationships and relative proportions without requiring users to parse text-heavy tables or analyze complex data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from a one-dimensional list format (hierarchical tables) to a two-dimensional spatial arrangement where parent items and components are positioned in different locations. This spatial dimension allows users to visually perceive relationships, proportions, and correlations across different component groups at a glance, significantly improving interpretation ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of creating a graphical representation of a plurality of components that are grouped in a plurality of component groups, wherein the component groups are formed based on two or more different group types, and values of one or more selectable metrics are associated with the components, the method including the steps of: detecting a selection of the one or more metrics; retrieving metric values for the selected metric associated with components belonging to component groups of a first group type; determining the relative proportion of the retrieved metric values across components that are members of a second type component group; and graphically representing the first type component group using one or more first icons that are graphically represented based on the retrieved metric values, and positioned within a section of the graphical representation based on the determined relative proportion.