Dynamic Tooltip Secondary Visualizations for Data Exploration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data visualization systems face challenges in efficiently displaying and analyzing large datasets due to limited display space and the need for users to switch between multiple visualizations, leading to a cognitive burden and inefficiencies in data exploration.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that dynamically generates and displays secondary data visualizations within tooltips based on user input, allowing for filtering and highlighting of data, which reduces the need to switch between worksheets and enhances data access by providing additional relevant information in a limited space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users switch between multiple worksheets to analyze data from different perspectives, then they can view different levels of detail and perspectives, but the cognitive burden increases and operation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata analysis capabilityVSAvoiduser operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data visualizations from different worksheets into a single tooltip popup. When a user selects a visual mark in a primary data visualization, the system retrieves and displays related visual marks from other worksheets in the same popup, allowing users to analyze data from multiple perspectives without switching between worksheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where secondary data visualizations are embedded within the tooltip popup of the primary data visualization. The popup contains both the selected visual mark from the primary visualization and related visual marks from other worksheets, creating a nested information hierarchy that provides comprehensive data context in one location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple data visualizations are displayed to provide comprehensive data analysis, then data exploration capability improves, but display space is consumed and interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exploration capabilityVSAvoiddisplay space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary visual marks from other worksheets and displays them selectively within the tooltip popup. Instead of displaying all visualizations from multiple worksheets simultaneously, the system retrieves and displays only the visual marks that are relevant to the user's current selection, optimizing display space while maintaining data exploration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional worksheet switching model to a layered dimensionality model. The primary data visualization remains in the main workspace, while related visualizations from other worksheets are displayed in an additional dimension (the popup overlay), allowing comprehensive data analysis without consuming additional main workspace area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If detailed data information is provided in tooltips, then data access completeness improves, but tooltip complexity and information overload increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata information completenessVSAvoidtooltip structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information in different sections of the popup. The selected visual mark from the primary visualization is displayed prominently, while related visual marks from other worksheets are displayed in a structured manner below, allowing users to access detailed information without being overwhelmed by a uniform complex layout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the tooltip content into distinct sections: the selected visual mark from the primary data visualization and related visual marks from other worksheets. This segmentation allows users to process information hierarchically, starting with the primary selection and then exploring related data, reducing information overload while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11604555B2Highlighting data marks in popup secondary data visualizations according to selected data values from primary data visualizations

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 TABLEAU SOFTWARE INC

AI summary

A computing device displays a primary data visualization in a data visualization workbook that includes a second worksheet having a secondary data visualization. The primary data visualization includes a plurality of visual marks representing a first set of data fields from a dataset. A first user input in a tooltip definition refers to the secondary data visualization. A second user input selects a first visual mark. In response to the second user input, the device generates a highlighted version of the secondary data visualization, for a second set of data fields from the dataset, specified in the second worksheet, based on the selected first visual mark. The device displays the generated secondary data visualization in a tooltip. Sometimes the device receives a third user input selecting a second visual mark in the plurality of visual marks, and dynamically updates the displayed secondary data visualization based on the second visual mark.