Tandem Sunburst and Table Interface for Multidimensional Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy sunburst interfaces are not optimized for small touch-sensitive devices, are difficult to control with many discrete values, lack ease in adding, removing, or filtering data, and do not facilitate direct labeling of small wedges or serve as input mechanisms to change other data displays.
Innovation Solution
A tandem interactive screen interface system comprising a sunburst wheel and an adjacent table, where user interactions on the sunburst wheel simultaneously affect the table and vice versa, allowing for easy selection, filtering, and reconfiguration of data displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a legacy sunburst interface is used to display multidimensional data, then data visualization is achieved, but the interface becomes difficult to control and navigate on small touch-sensitive devices
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into two distinct but correlated views: a sunburst wheel for high-level navigation and a table for detailed data exploration. This segmentation allows each component to have a specialized function, making the overall system easier to operate on small devices by dividing complex interactions into manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single two-dimensional sunburst interface to a multi-dimensional interaction model where the sunburst wheel and table exist as correlated views. Users can interact with either view, and changes in one dimension (sunburst selection) automatically update the other (table filter), providing intuitive navigation without increasing operational complexity.
2Loss of information
If many discrete dimension values are displayed in a sunburst interface, then comprehensive data coverage is achieved, but the interface becomes difficult to control and labels become illegible
Solution Approach 1:
The data display is segmented across two interfaces: the sunburst wheel shows aggregated dimensional categories with labels that remain legible due to constrained space, while the table displays the complete set of discrete values with full labels. This segmentation preserves data completeness while maintaining ease of control in the sunburst view.
Solution Approach 2:
The table acts as an intermediary that handles the display of numerous discrete values, allowing the sunburst wheel to focus on displaying only the essential dimensional categories. When users need to see or control individual discrete values, they can interact with the table, which serves as a mediator between the compact sunburst view and the detailed data set.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single interface is used for data display, then simplicity is maintained, but the ability to filter and reconfigure data views is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two interface types (sunburst wheel and table) into a correlated dual-view system where both views are synchronized. This merging provides enhanced adaptability because users can manipulate data through either interface - selecting categories in the sunburst automatically filters the table, and selecting items in the table updates the sunburst selection, creating a versatile data manipulation system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each interface component serves multiple functions: the sunburst wheel provides both visual data representation and category selection capability, while the table provides both detailed data display and additional selection capability. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as each component reinforces the other's capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for human-machine interface devices. Embodiments commence upon receiving a set of dimensions then generating a first interactive user interface comprising a series of concentric rings corresponding to the set of dimensions. The concentric rings comprise a series of wedges representing dimension values. A second interactive user interface is displayed, wherein the second interactive user interface comprises at least some of the set of dimensions, and wherein a user interaction upon the first interactive user interface causes a change in the second interactive user interface. Embodiments can include a selector to select a wedge and/or a slice, and the second interactive user interface can be presented as a table. User interaction upon the second interactive user interface is reflected simultaneously on the first user interface and user interaction upon the first user interface is reflected simultaneously on the table.