Hierarchical Data Visualization Chart with Nested Orbit Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data visualization methods, such as Pie charts and Pareto charts, fail to effectively display hierarchical data structures, leading to 'tunnel vision' and loss of perspective, as they often focus on individual levels rather than providing a comprehensive view of relationships and relative magnitudes within the structure.
Innovation Solution
The development of charts that represent each hierarchical data structure element as a shaped object, with child elements 'in orbit' around their parent, using proportional sizing to emphasize importance, allowing for a single visual representation of multiple levels and relationships, enabling analysts to focus on significant elements and understand the entire structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional chart types (Pie charts, Pareto charts) are used to display hierarchical data, then individual levels can be visualized, but the comprehensive view of relationships and relative magnitudes across multiple levels is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested visualization where child elements are positioned within or around their parent elements across multiple hierarchical levels. Each level of the hierarchy is contained within the previous level, creating a nested structure that preserves the hierarchical relationships while displaying all levels simultaneously in a single chart.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat charts to a multi-dimensional visualization approach. By adding spatial dimensions (positioning elements in 2D/3D space) and hierarchical dimensions (multiple levels), the chart can represent complex hierarchical relationships that cannot be displayed in conventional flat chart formats.
2Measurement precision
If analysts focus on individual elements or levels one at a time, then detailed analysis of specific components is achieved, but tunnel vision occurs and significant elements may be overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple views (individual element details and overall hierarchical structure) into a single integrated visualization. Analysts can simultaneously see both the forest and the trees by displaying the complete hierarchy while maintaining the ability to examine individual elements, eliminating the need to switch between different charts or views.
3Loss of information
If multiple charts are used to display different levels of hierarchical data, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but time and resources are wasted creating and analyzing multiple separate visualizations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal chart structure that can display multiple hierarchical levels, different data types, and various relationship types within a single visualization framework. This multi-functional chart eliminates the need to create separate specialized charts for different analysis needs, saving time and resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for creating an output graphic using a processing device may include receiving one or more elements of a hierarchical data structure, wherein each of the one or more elements includes a value. In addition, the methods and apparatuses may include calculating a total value for the hierarchical data structure by adding the value from the one or more elements and creating relationships that associate the one more elements with the total value. The methods and apparatuses may also include generating a diagram to illustrate the total value and the relationships among the one or more elements and the total value and transmitting the diagram for presentation on a display.