Value Mapping Interface for Custom Report Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing report building and designing tools are cumbersome and difficult for users to customize, especially when users want to present data along a new dimension, requiring specialized knowledge in computer coding that end-users and business analysts often lack.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for mapping source values to new user-defined categories, allowing users to create custom reports without administrative involvement, through a graphical user interface that guides users in selecting existing fields, specifying new categories, and identifying source values to map to these categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If report building tools require specialized coding knowledge for customization, then reporting functionality remains stable and reliable, but ease of operation deteriorates and user accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual mapping interface as an intermediary between the user and the report customization functionality. This interface allows users to map source values to target categories through a graphical workflow without requiring coding knowledge. The system translates user-friendly visual operations into the underlying technical operations automatically, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables end-users to perform report customization independently through the visual mapping interface, eliminating the need for administrative involvement or specialized coding knowledge. Users can define new categories, map source values, and customize reports through intuitive graphical operations, allowing the system to serve itself through user-friendly interactions rather than requiring external expert intervention.
2Productivity
If report customization requires administrative involvement, then system control and reliability are maintained, but productivity and user autonomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The visual mapping interface empowers end-users to perform report customization independently without requiring administrative involvement. Users can directly define new categories, map source values to target categories, and generate customized reports through the graphical interface, significantly improving productivity and user autonomy while eliminating administrative bottlenecks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an administrative-approval-free intermediary layer (the visual mapping interface) that enables users to customize reports directly. This intermediary translates user-friendly operations into system-level changes without requiring administrative mediation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and system control requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users cannot create custom reports without coding knowledge, then system reliability is maintained, but adaptability and user versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The visual mapping interface serves as an intermediary that translates user-friendly graphical operations into complex report customization tasks. Users can define new categories, map source values to target categories, and create adaptive reports through intuitive visual workflows, eliminating the need for specialized coding knowledge while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to independently perform advanced report customization tasks through the visual mapping interface, including defining new categories and mapping source values. This self-service capability significantly improves adaptability and user versatility without requiring users to possess specialized coding knowledge or system administration skills.
Data Source
AI summary
Source values are mapped to new user-defined categories. The new user-defined categories are stored in a new user-defined field. In an embodiment, a user-selection of an existing field is received. Based on a data type of the existing field, a specific mapping interface is displayed. The interface guides the user through specification of the new field and categories, and identification of the source values to map to the new categories.