Rules-Based Visualization Selection for Data Metadata

Solution Overview

Problem

Business software packages often require users to manually select visualizations for data presentation, which can be cumbersome and lacks flexibility, or they may default to a single chart type, reducing user options.

Innovation Solution

A rules-based system automatically determines the best visualization for data by comparing data and metadata against predefined rules, allowing for customizable visualizations based on data properties such as number of fields, field types, and relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually select chart type and options, then flexibility in visualization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome selection process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in visualizationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the uploaded data and selecting the most appropriate chart type and visualization options without requiring user intervention. The system examines data characteristics such as data types, relationships, and patterns to autonomously determine the best visualization approach, thereby maintaining flexibility while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining multiple chart types and visualization options before the user needs to create a visualization. The system prepares and analyzes data characteristics in advance to determine the optimal chart type, so that when the user uploads data, the visualization is already determined and ready for display, eliminating the need for manual selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a single chart type is hardwired into the system, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to reduced user options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidflexibility in visualization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by making the chart type selection adaptive rather than static. Instead of hardwiring a single chart type, the system dynamically determines the appropriate chart type based on the characteristics of the uploaded data. The system examines data types, relationships, and patterns in real-time to select the most suitable visualization, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by adjusting the chart type and visualization parameters based on data characteristics. The system changes parameters such as chart type, color scheme, and layout based on the analyzed data properties, allowing the same system to adapt to different data types and requirements while maintaining a consistent and easy-to-use interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a wizard is used for step-by-step specification, then flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple interaction steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in visualizationVSAvoidtime for visualization creation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the uploaded data and selecting the most appropriate chart type and visualization options without requiring user intervention. The system examines data characteristics such as data types, relationships, and patterns to autonomously determine the best visualization approach, thereby maintaining flexibility while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining multiple chart types and visualization options before the user needs to create a visualization. The system prepares and analyzes data characteristics in advance to determine the optimal chart type, so that when the user uploads data, the visualization is already determined and ready for display, eliminating the need for manual selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7606835B2Automatic rules driven data visualization selection

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

A solution is provided that automatically decides what visualization is best suited to present specified data. This is accomplished using a rules-based system that determines the type and properties of a visualization based on data and its corresponding metadata. The data and metadata may be checked against one or more rules, and depending upon which rule or rules match, a corresponding visualization and option combination may be utilized.