Natural Language Data Visualization Interface Phrase Dependency Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data visualization tools require users to learn complex interfaces, making it difficult for users to interact with large or complex data sets, especially those that are not familiar with the tools, and can lead to errors when modifying natural language inputs without updating related phrases.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically updates related phrases in natural language inputs used to generate data visualizations, analyzing user inputs to identify dependencies and update phrases accordingly, reducing the cognitive burden on users and preventing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If natural language input is used to generate data visualizations, then ease of operation is improved, but errors occur when modifying inputs without updating related phrases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms that monitor modifications to natural language inputs and trigger updates to dependent phrases. When a user modifies a term in one phrase, the system detects the change and automatically updates related phrases that depend on it, preventing errors while maintaining the simplicity of natural language interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting dependencies between phrases and updating them without requiring user intervention. The dependency graph structure enables the system to autonomously identify which phrases need updating and perform the updates automatically, reducing errors while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If complex data sets are visualized, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments complex data visualization tasks into distinct natural language phrases, each handling specific aspects of the data. By dividing the complex operation into manageable phrase components that can be independently modified and updated, the system reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining the ability to handle comprehensive data sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The natural language interface acts as an intermediary between users and complex data visualization operations. Users interact with simple language phrases rather than complex technical parameters, while the system's dependency graph and automatic update mechanisms handle the complexity of coordinating multiple data fields and visualization parameters in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3853714B1Analyzing natural language expressions in a data visualization user interface
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 TABLEAU SOFTWARE INC
  • EP3853714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3853714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3853714B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method is performed at a computing device coupled with a display. The method includes displaying a graphical user interface on the display and analyzing a natural language input, received from a user, to identify a portion of the natural language input corresponding to a first phrase that includes a first term. The method further includes receiving, from the user, a second input that modifies the first term in the first phrase. In response to receiving the second input, the computing device updates a second phrase based on the second input. In response to updating the second phrase based on the second input, the computing device displays, on the graphical user interface, an updated natural language expression that comprises the modified first phrase and the updated second phrase and displays an updated data visualization representing the updated natural language expression.