Interactive Histogram Binning for Data Clustering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex datasets, including spatial and temporal variant data, often require dynamic binning to effectively visualize and analyze, as fixed binning rules may not adequately identify clusters or outliers, especially in large and intricate datasets.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a computer-implemented method that allows users to interactively modify binning parameters through a graphical user interface (GUI) for data visualizations, enabling operations such as merging, splitting, and filtering bins, thereby customizing the binning based on user-defined parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fixed binning rules are used for data visualization, then the visualization process is simple and fast, but the ability to identify clusters and outliers in complex datasets is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracy of clusters and outliersVSAvoidbinning parameter adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic binning parameters that allow users to adjust bin width, bin count, and binning algorithms interactively through a graphical interface. This transforms the static fixed binning approach into a dynamic system where parameters can be modified in real-time to optimize cluster and outlier identification for different complex datasets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to change multiple binning parameters including bin width, bin count, and algorithm selection (e.g., equal width, equal frequency, stochastic) to adapt the visualization to different data characteristics. This parameter flexibility directly improves the ability to identify clusters and outliers while maintaining user control over the complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If default binning parameters are used, then the visualization is generated quickly, but the visualization may not accurately represent data distribution in complex datasets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data distribution representationVSAvoidtime for binning parameter adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides default binning parameters that are pre-configured to work effectively with various data types, allowing immediate visualization without requiring user adjustment. This preliminary configuration ensures reliable data distribution representation from the start, while still allowing users to refine parameters if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface provides visual feedback that allows users to assess whether the current binning parameters accurately represent the data distribution. Users can interactively adjust parameters and immediately see the effects on the histogram, enabling rapid iteration to achieve accurate representation without excessive time investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If interactive binning modification is enabled, then users can customize visualization to better analyze complex datasets, but the user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capability of binning parametersVSAvoidease of using visualization tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface integrates multiple binning functions (parameter adjustment, algorithm selection, visual feedback) into a single unified interface. This universal interface handles various binning operations and data types through consistent interaction patterns, providing high customization capability while maintaining ease of use through a standardized interaction model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9378306B2Binning visual definition for visual intelligence

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 BUSINESS OBJECTS SOFTWARE

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for receiving data, displaying the data visualization based on the data, the data visualization being displayed within a GUI and being provided as a histogram including a first plurality of bins, the first plurality of bins being defined based on default binning parameters, receiving user input, the user input being input to the data visualization using the GUI and indicating a first operation, providing user-defined binning based on the user input, and displaying a modified data visualization based on the data and the first operation, the modified data visualization being displayed within the GUI and being provided as a histogram including a second plurality of bins, the second plurality of bins being defined based on the user-defined binning parameters and being different from the first plurality of bins.