Graph Dependency Visualization with Hierarchical Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently visualizing and managing dependencies between grouped elements, especially when there are hundreds of thousands of elements and associated dependencies, as the structures are often not planned in advance and require manual alignment, making it difficult to simulate structural re-organizations and visualize dependencies effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically visualizing element and group dependencies using a graph display platform that determines dependencies between source and target elements, displays grouping shapes with intersecting dependency lines, and allows interactive modification of dependency structures within hierarchical groupings, supporting orthogonal structures and multiple nesting levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elements are grouped into hierarchical structures for better organization, then the manageability of the display is improved, but the complexity of visualizing dependencies between grouping levels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dependency visualization by introducing multiple grouping levels (first grouping level, second grouping level, etc.) that hierarchically organize elements. Each grouping level can be independently collapsed or expanded, allowing users to focus on specific portions of the dependency structure without being overwhelmed by the entire system at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the dependency graph by organizing elements into multiple grouping levels. This transforms a flat, two-dimensional dependency visualization into a multi-level hierarchical structure, enabling better organization and management of large numbers of elements and their dependencies.
2Loss of information
If all elements and dependencies are displayed to show complete dependency information, then the completeness of information is improved, but the readability and understanding of the display deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic grouping levels that can be expanded or collapsed based on user interaction and analysis needs. The display adapts its level of detail dynamically, allowing users to explore dependencies at different depths without losing the ability to access complete information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows users to display only the necessary portion of the dependency structure at any given time by collapsing irrelevant grouping levels. This partial display approach maintains readability while preserving access to complete information through selective expansion of specific groups.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual alignment of structures and elements is performed to meet new requirements, then the adaptability to new requirements is improved, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational analysis to automatically determine dependencies between elements and grouping levels before display. This pre-computation enables rapid adaptation to new requirements by simply re-organizing the hierarchical grouping structure without manual intervention, as the underlying dependency information is already processed and ready for re-display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and visualizes dependencies between grouping levels without requiring manual alignment. The computational system serves itself by analyzing the data structure, identifying dependencies, and generating the appropriate hierarchical visualization, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
4Quantity of substance
If hundreds of thousands of elements and dependencies are visualized to show complete structure, then the comprehensiveness of analysis is improved, but the performance and efficiency of the display system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large-scale dependency data into hierarchical grouping levels, allowing the system to process and display information in manageable chunks. By organizing hundreds of thousands of elements into nested groups, the system can efficiently render only the necessary portions at each level rather than processing the entire dataset simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension that transforms the flat representation of hundreds of thousands of elements into a multi-level structure. This dimensional transformation enables efficient processing by allowing the system to work with aggregated representations at higher levels and drill down to individual elements only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, for a set of elements a plurality of dependencies between source elements and target elements may be determined. It may also be determined that a first subset of elements are associated with a first group and that a second subset of the elements are associated with a second group. A first grouping shape, representing the first group, may be displayed on a user interface along with a second grouping shape representing the second group. Moreover, within the second grouping shape indications of the second subset of elements may be displayed. A dependency line may be displayed between the first grouping shape and the second grouping shape based on a dependency between a particular element in first subset and a particular element in the second subset, and the dependency line may intersect the second grouping shape at an intersection point. A dependency line may also be displayed from the intersection point to the indication representing the particular element in the second subset.