Interactive Reporting Interface for Hierarchical Data Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional reporting tools require technical expertise to set up views, are not user-friendly, and do not intuitively represent data, limiting end-users' ability to create reports efficiently and interactively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that generates a meta-model from structured data, presenting business-friendly hierarchical relationships, and an interactive user interface for creating and updating reports in real-time, allowing users to drag and drop elements and apply filters for instant feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional reporting tools are used to create reports, then reports can be generated, but technical expertise is required and the process is not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interactive user interface as an intermediary layer between the end-user and the complex database structure. This interface automatically generates a hierarchical representation of the database, allowing users to interact with simplified visual elements rather than raw database tables and queries, thereby eliminating the need for technical expertise while maintaining report generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the hierarchical database representation and translating user selections into appropriate database queries. The interface autonomously maps user-friendly element selections to the underlying complex database structure, freeing users from needing to understand or configure the technical database schema
2Ease of operation
If traditional reporting tools are used, then reports can be generated, but the tools do not intuitively represent data structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the complex database structure in the form of a hierarchical model with visual elements. This copy preserves the essential relationships and data flow while presenting them in an intuitive visual format that users can easily understand and interact with, without losing the underlying data structure fidelity needed for accurate report generation
3Productivity
If interactive report creation is enabled, then user productivity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically generating the hierarchical database representation and pre-establishing the mapping between visual elements and database structures before the user begins creating reports. This upfront preparation enables users to quickly create reports by simply selecting elements from the pre-organized hierarchical structure, significantly improving productivity while the system handles the complexity of maintaining these mappings
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for building reports. One of the methods includes creating a model based on relational structured data, the structured data including data structures, each data structure having data elements, each data element having fields, each field having a name. The method includes generating a hierarchy of objects in model, the hierarchy organizing objects the with respect to a starting object according to relationship fields on the objects. The method includes generating a user interface including elements for one or more of the objects in the hierarchy, wherein the user interface enables a user to create a report and filter the report using the new name. The method includes receiving a user selection of an element from the elements. The method also includes generating a report.