Direct Cube Filtering for Multi-Dimensional Data Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional enterprise software systems require users to invoke a separate filter dialog to apply filtering to multi-dimensional data, which is time-consuming and not intuitive.

Innovation Solution

A direct filtering mechanism is implemented within the user interface, allowing users to select and filter dimension members directly within the visualization layout, determining unique combinations of members for each selected cell and filtering out associated values efficiently and intuitively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate filter dialog is used to filter dimension members, then filtering functionality is provided, but the operation becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering operationVSAvoidtime required for filtering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter dialog functionality is merged directly into the spreadsheet user interface. Filter controls are embedded within the spreadsheet cells and dimension member displays, allowing users to filter data without leaving the spreadsheet context. This integration eliminates the need to switch between separate dialog windows and the spreadsheet, streamlining the filtering operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering capability is extracted from a separate dialog context and embedded directly into the spreadsheet interface. Filter controls, dropdown menus, and selection mechanisms are placed directly where users interact with dimension members in the spreadsheet, making the filtering function immediately accessible within the existing workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a separate filter dialog is used to filter dimension members, then filtering functionality is provided, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering operationVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple interface functions (spreadsheet display, dimension member selection, and filtering controls) are merged into a unified interface. The filter controls are combined with the cell selection and dimension member display elements, creating a single integrated interaction area that reduces the number of separate interface components the user must navigate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spreadsheet interface elements serve multiple functions simultaneously. Cell selections serve both as data display and as filter selection mechanisms. Dimension member displays serve both informational and interactive filtering purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate controls for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10311035B2Direct cube filtering

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 SAP SE

AI summary

A system may include display of a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values associated with a respective combination of one of a first set of members of a first dimension and one of a second set of members of a second dimension, detection of a user selection of one or more of the displayed plurality of values, determination of a first one or more members of the first set of members and a second one or more members of the second set of members associated with the selected one or more values, and filtering of the displayed values based on the determined first one or more members and the second one or more members.