Interactive 3D Data Explorer for Multidimensional Data Views

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data visualization techniques, particularly for complex multidimensional data sets, often fail to effectively highlight or emphasize key aspects of the data, making it difficult to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Innovation Solution

A method for displaying data in a multi-dimensional dashboard using 3D virtual objects that can be interacted with through client devices, allowing users to manipulate and update data sets within a virtual environment, with each user receiving a personalized view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If 2D data visualization techniques are used, then the visualization is simple to implement, but the ability to effectively highlight and emphasize key aspects of complex multidimensional data is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoiddata emphasis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D data visualization to a 3D virtual environment, allowing data points to be represented as spatial objects with depth, height, and width. This dimensional expansion enables multiple data attributes to be simultaneously visualized through spatial positioning, sizing, and visual properties, effectively highlighting key aspects of complex multidimensional data while maintaining implementation feasibility through standardized 3D rendering techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If complex multidimensional data is visualized in limited dimensional spaces, then the data representation is compact, but the adequate visualization of all data aspects becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization spaceVSAvoiddata aspect visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a 3D virtual environment, the patent expands the visualization space from two dimensions to three dimensions. Data points are represented as spatial objects that can be positioned, sized, and styled according to multiple data attributes simultaneously. This allows complex multidimensional data to be adequately visualized without requiring excessive screen real estate, as the third dimension provides additional encoding capacity for data aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the visualization space into discrete virtual objects, each representing a data point or data entity. These segmented objects can be individually manipulated, highlighted, and examined, allowing users to focus on specific data aspects while maintaining context of the overall data set. The segmentation enables effective use of limited visualization space by organizing data into manageable, interactable units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional data visualization is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the interactivity and user manipulation capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiduser manipulation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic 3D virtual environment where data visualizations are not static but can be manipulated in real-time. Users can interact with virtual objects through dragging, dropping, resizing, and other gestures, causing immediate updates to the data representation. This dynamic interactivity enhances user manipulation capability while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive, touch-based controls that work across different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback when users interact with virtual objects. When users manipulate data points or virtual elements, the visualization updates in real-time to reflect the changes, and these changes can be propagated back to the underlying data sets. This feedback loop enhances user manipulation capability by making the system responsive and adaptable to user actions, while the feedback mechanisms are designed to be intuitive and easy to understand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If personalized views are provided to each user, then the user experience is customized, but the synchronization of data views across multiple users becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidview synchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements personalized views by creating virtual copies of the data environment for each user. Each user has their own instance of the 3D virtual environment with customized data points, filtering, and arrangement. These copies allow extensive personalization without affecting other users' views. The system manages synchronization by allowing users to save and share their customized views, enabling collaboration while maintaining individual customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3867879B1Interactive data explorer and 3-d dashboard environment
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ORACLE INT CORP
  • EP3867879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3867879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3867879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plurality of visualization objects may be provided for representing one or more data sets in a virtual 3D space. The visualization objects may include funnels, containers, name cards, and so forth. The visualization objects can be arranged in a circular carousel that can be rotated around a position of a virtual camera or user in a VR/AR environment. Individual data points in the visualization objects can be rotated, sized, positioned, colored, or otherwise characterized based on attributes of the corresponding data points. Individual data points can also be animated as transitioning between visualization objects in a unified view. Voice commands can be interpreted as part of an interactive environment that can provide views of the visualization objects to multiple devices simultaneously.