Metric Calculation Interface for Analytics Software

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analytics software often requires users to manually perform time-consuming and error-prone mathematical calculations to create new metrics from standard metrics, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method providing a user interface with a calculator that allows users to select stored metrics and operations to create new metrics, including a search feature for stored metrics and the ability to store new metrics with a new name, enabling users to perform calculations without manual typing or coding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually perform mathematical calculations to create new metrics from standard metrics, then users can create custom metrics, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to create custom metricsVSAvoidtime required for manual calculations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calculation processes with an automated computational system. The metric calculation module automatically performs mathematical operations on standard metrics to generate new metrics, eliminating the need for users to manually type formulas or perform calculations. This substitution of manual mechanics with automated computation directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining metric creation capability while eliminating time consumption and errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service metric creation by providing users with an intuitive interface where they can select standard metrics and desired operations without needing to understand underlying calculations. The system automatically handles the computation and returns results, allowing users to create custom metrics independently and efficiently without manual intervention in the calculation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually perform mathematical calculations to create new metrics, then custom metrics can be created, but the process becomes error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to create custom metricsVSAvoidaccuracy of metric calculations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces error-prone manual calculation mechanics with automated computational systems. The metric calculation module performs all mathematical operations automatically, eliminating human errors in formula entry, calculation execution, and result interpretation. This automation ensures consistent and accurate metric creation while maintaining full adaptability for custom metric development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates validation and verification mechanisms that provide feedback to users during the metric creation process. The metric calculation module checks input parameters, validates selected operations, and verifies calculation results before presenting final metrics to users. This feedback loop ensures accuracy and reliability while guiding users through the custom metric creation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If a calculator interface is provided for metric creation, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a metric calculation module as an intermediary layer between the simple calculator user interface and the complex backend processing system. This module handles all complex operations including metric selection, operation validation, calculation execution, and result formatting, while presenting a simplified interface to users. The intermediary absorbs system complexity while maintaining interface simplicity, resolving the contradiction effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional modules: user interface layer, metric calculation module, and data processing layer. The calculator interface is separated from the complex calculation logic, allowing the interface to remain simple while the backend handles complexity. This segmentation enables ease of operation at the user level while containing device complexity within modular system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10936165B2System and method for calculating metrics

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and system is provided for creating calculated metrics. In an implementation, a method may include providing a user interface including a calculator with a plurality of buttons. The method may also include receiving, via the user interface, a selection of at least one stored metric and a selection of at least one operation, resulting in a new metric. The method may further include storing the new metric with a new metric name.