Data Grouping via Metadata-Driven Visual Demarcations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems fail to effectively group and display data categories and sub-categories in a platform-independent manner, leading to difficulties in identifying matching data elements across different operating systems and large datasets, where color-coding is inconsistent and searching for specific data strings can be cumbersome due to incorrect grouping and highlighting.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that uses metadata to determine the relationships between data sets and display them in a table with appropriate graphical demarcations, grouping columns by main categories and highlighting matching records to facilitate user identification of data elements, allowing for platform-independent operation and improved search functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If color-coding is used to group columns by main category, then column grouping is improved, but platform independence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses graphical demarcations (vertical lines, shading, or other visual indicators) to indicate column groupings by main category. These visual changes are implemented through metadata that specifies grouping information, allowing consistent display across different operating systems without relying on platform-specific color-coding conventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary mechanism to carry grouping information between the data structure and the display. This metadata layer abstracts the grouping logic from the display implementation, enabling platform-independent rendering of column groupings through standardized graphical demarcation specifications.
2Measurement precision
If all matching data elements are highlighted, then search results are improved, but user efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of matching data elements by grouping rows that contain matches together. This segmentation creates distinct visual sections in the table, allowing users to quickly identify and access matching records without scanning through the entire dataset. The grouping is based on metadata that tracks which rows contain matching data elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional transformation by reordering and grouping rows based on match status. Instead of highlighting individual cells scattered throughout the table, the system reorganizes the table structure to place all matching rows together, creating a new organizational dimension that improves user efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rows with multiple values are sorted alphabetically, then sorting consistency is improved, but data grouping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting process into two stages: first sorting rows by their primary values alphabetically, then grouping rows that contain matching data elements together regardless of their exact sort position. This segmentation allows consistent alphabetical sorting while maintaining effective data grouping through the second stage of matching-based aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alphabetical sorting of all rows, then applies a second grouping operation based on matching data elements. This preliminary action ensures consistent sorting behavior across all rows while the subsequent grouping operation maintains the ability to identify and group related data, resolving the conflict between sorting consistency and data grouping.
Data Source
AI summary
In a system and method for grouping data, a processor may, with reference to metadata identifying relationships between sets of data to be displayed in columns of a table, generate a display template from the identified relationships, the template defining that related columns of data are presented adjacent to each other in groups and defining which types of graphical demarcations to display, may search among records corresponding to rows of the table to be displayed for records that satisfy a search criterion, and may display a table according to the display template, rows of the table arranged to display the records that satisfy the search criteria in a group separate from the other records.