GUI Data Overlay for Supplemental Information Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casual users of business information struggle to integrate quantitative and qualitative thinking, leading to inefficient decision-making due to limitations in understanding and utilizing available data, resulting in wasted resources and reduced transparency.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface (GUI) that overlays supplemental information onto users' working content, allowing direct data entry and preview of modifications, encouraging users to enhance their quantitative and qualitative analysis capabilities through a semi-transparent data overlay and interactive supplemental information module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If supplemental information is provided separately from working content, then users can access additional data, but users struggle to integrate quantitative and qualitative thinking leading to inefficient decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of quantitative and qualitative informationVSAvoiduser ability to utilize available data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges supplemental information directly onto the working content canvas, creating an integrated view where quantitative data overlays combine with qualitative working content. This allows users to see both types of information simultaneously in context, eliminating the separation that causes integration difficulties and enabling more effective decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of supplemental information that mediates between the working content and the user's analysis needs. This intermediary provides structured quantitative data and guidance that helps users bridge the gap between what they see in their working content and what analysis they need to perform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If users work with quantitative information alone, then data analysis can be performed, but qualitative explanations remain in individual's head rather than being shared

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharing of qualitative explanationsVSAvoidsystem for integrating data types

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines quantitative data visualization with qualitative annotation capabilities, allowing users to overlay both types of information on the same canvas. This merging enables qualitative explanations to be externalized and shared alongside quantitative data, making thinking visible and collaborative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The working content canvas serves multiple functions: it displays the original working content, overlays quantitative supplemental information, and accommodates qualitative annotations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tools for different types of information, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive data integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If users are provided with comprehensive data analysis tools, then deeper analysis becomes possible, but casual users do not take full advantage of the potential value due to lack of initiative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecision-making efficiencyVSAvoiduser engagement with analysis capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis and pre-processes data to generate supplemental information automatically. By preparing the data and highlighting key insights in advance, the system reduces the burden on users to initiate deep analysis, making comprehensive data exploration more accessible to casual users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by overlaying supplemental quantitative information directly onto the working content, showing users immediately how the data relates to their current task. This visual feedback loop encourages users to engage with the analysis capabilities by continuously displaying relevant insights as they work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9213472B2User interface for providing supplemental information

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 SAP SE

AI summary

A user interface for providing supplemental information is disclosed. Working content may be caused to be displayed in a display zone of a graphical user interface of a device. The working content may comprise a plurality of graphical objects. A data overlay may be caused to be displayed in the display zone. The data overlay may overlay and at least partially obscure a corresponding portion of the working content. The data overlay may include unchanged graphical objects and at least one additional graphical object. The unchanged graphical objects in the data overlay may be aligned with and overlay corresponding graphical objects of the plurality of graphical objects in the corresponding portion of the working content. The additional graphical object(s) may represent a modification to the corresponding portion of the working content.