Client-Side Dashboard Formula Execution via JSON Postfix

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dashboard technologies face challenges in rendering formulas specified by spreadsheets within web browsers, particularly on mobile devices, due to compatibility issues and the need for intermediate publishing steps.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves receiving a spreadsheet file in a text-based, language-independent format like JSON, transforming formulas into postfix notation, and performing recursive evaluation on the client-side, allowing for client-side execution of formulas and rendering of dashboards using HTML5 and JavaScript, eliminating the need for intermediate publishing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If formulas are evaluated on the server-side using traditional dashboard technologies, then formula execution is reliable, but compatibility with mobile devices and web browsers is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with mobile devices and web browsersVSAvoidformula execution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate representation format (JSON) that serves as a mediator between the spreadsheet source and the web browser target. The spreadsheet is converted to JSON format with formulas represented in a browser-compatible syntax, enabling formulas to execute reliably in web environments while maintaining compatibility with mobile devices and modern browsers without requiring server-side evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional dashboard publishing methods are used, then dashboard rendering is stable, but intermediate publishing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedashboard rendering efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of intermediate publishing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the formula evaluation capability from the server-side processing and embeds it directly into the client-side JavaScript code. By converting formulas to a browser-executable format during the spreadsheet-to-JSON conversion process, the system eliminates the need for intermediate publishing steps and allows direct rendering in web browsers, significantly simplifying the deployment workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The generated JavaScript code is self-contained and can be executed directly in any modern web browser without requiring server-side processing or intermediate publishing. The dashboard rendering process becomes self-service, where the browser itself performs the formula evaluation and rendering, eliminating dependency on server infrastructure and intermediate publishing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9367535B2Dashboard formula execution

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 SAP IRELAND LTD

AI summary

Formulas in dashboards can be executed at a client executing web technologies such as HTML5 and JavaScript. The formulas specified by a spreadsheet file are transformed into a pre-defined notation format and then recursively evaluated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.