Mobile Data Import Interface for Small Screen BI Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Business Intelligence (BI) analytics tools are designed for desktop platforms with large monitors and keyboards, making them inefficient for use on mobile devices with small screens like smartphones, which lack user-friendly data importing and analysis capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for importing datasets into a mobile computing system with limited screen space, involving determining field identifiers and associated field types, displaying them on a graphical user interface, and confirming importation, allowing for data analysis on mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BI analytics tools are designed for desktop platforms with large monitors and keyboards, then the tools can provide comprehensive data analysis capabilities, but they become inefficient and difficult to operate on mobile devices with small screens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data import interface into distinct functional sections: data source selection, field mapping, and import configuration. Each section is presented separately on the mobile device screen, allowing users to focus on one task at a time rather than overwhelming them with the entire import process visible at once. This segmentation makes the complex data import operation manageable on small screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the mobile screen effectively by implementing expandable field mapping sections. When a user selects a data source, additional field mapping options expand downward on the screen, providing comprehensive control options without initially cluttering the interface. This dimensional approach allows complex functionality to be accessed while maintaining a clean initial view.
2Loss of information
If the interface displays all field identifiers and type information simultaneously, then complete data control is provided, but the small screen becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The interface segments field information display by organizing fields into logical groups based on their type or source. Instead of listing all fields in a single overwhelming list, the patent divides them into categorized sections that can be scrolled through or expanded as needed, preserving information completeness while managing screen real estate effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The field mapping interface is designed to be dynamic, expanding and collapsing field mapping sections based on user interaction. When users need to view or configure specific field mappings, those sections expand to show detailed options. When not in use, sections collapse to minimize screen clutter. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to adapt between showing comprehensive information and maintaining a clean layout.
3Productivity
If desktop-optimized tools are used on mobile devices, then existing functionality is maintained, but user efficiency and convenience are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key interface parameters for mobile optimization: button sizes are increased for finger tapping, text fields are made larger for ease of input, and navigation elements are repositioned for thumb accessibility. These parameter changes maintain the core data import functionality while significantly improving mobile usability and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data import interface that functions effectively across both desktop and mobile platforms. By designing the interface to be responsive and adaptive, the same tool can be used on different device types without requiring separate solutions, maintaining functionality while optimizing for each platform's characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention include a method for importing one or more datasets using a computing system with a small display screen. The data in the one or more datasets may then be used for data analysis using the small display screen. The method includes determining one or more field identifiers and associated field type information for one or more fields of the dataset to be imported into a mobile computing system. The one or more field identifiers and associated field type information are displayed on a display screen of the mobile computing system using a graphical user interface. The dataset is then imported using the determined field identifiers and associated field type information based on receiving a confirmation to import.