Data Element Visualization Interface for Dependency Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data management systems lack an effective interface for visualizing and navigating the complex relationships between data elements, making it difficult for users to understand and manage dependencies and formulas within these systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that presents a data element profile and dependency graph, allowing users to visualize relationships between data elements through a graphical user interface, where users can select data elements to drill down into their dependencies and formulas, enabling recursive selection and navigation of hierarchical relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data management systems manage multiple data elements with complex relationships, then the system functionality and data processing capability are improved, but the difficulty of visualizing and navigating relationships between data elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex data element relationships into individual clickable representations within a visual interface. Each data element is separated and presented as a distinct interactive element, allowing users to explore relationships step-by-step through selective clicking rather than overwhelming them with the entire relationship network at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested exploration model where selecting a data element reveals its relationships to other elements, which can themselves be selected to reveal further relationships. This creates a nested structure of information disclosure, similar to Matryoshka dolls, where each level of selection unveils another layer of the data relationship hierarchy.
2Loss of information
If the interface displays detailed information about data element relationships, then the information completeness is improved, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic interface that adapts its complexity based on user interaction. Initially, the interface presents a simplified view of data elements. As users click and drill down into relationships, the interface dynamically reveals additional information and relationship details, adjusting the level of complexity to match the user's exploration depth rather than presenting all information at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an interactive temporal dimension to the interface, transforming a static display into a multi-stage exploration experience. Information is revealed across multiple interaction stages (clicks), adding a time/sequence dimension to information disclosure. This allows complete information to be available without overwhelming the interface at any single moment.
3Loss of information
If users can deeply explore data element dependencies through multiple selection levels, then the understanding of application logic is improved, but the time required for navigation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the interface in advance by pre-organizing all data elements and their relationships in the background system. When users interact with the interface, the system can quickly retrieve and display relationship information without requiring complex real-time calculations or data processing, thus reducing navigation time while maintaining deep exploration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for visualizing data elements are disclosed. A system presents a first data element profile comprising: a first data element; a second data element; and a first formula used to calculate a value of the first data element using a value of the second data element. The system detects user input selecting the second data element. Based on detecting the user input, the system presents a second data element profile comprising: the second data element; a third data element; and a second formula used to calculate a value of the second data element using a value of the third data element. The system detects user input selecting the third data element. Based on detecting the user input, the system presents a third data element profile comprising the third data element.