Visual Attribute Strips for Dynamic Data Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data management systems face challenges in efficiently organizing and filtering multi-dimensional data with multiple attributes, often requiring multiple navigation steps and presenting users with irrelevant filtering options that yield no results.
Innovation Solution
A visual user interface using stacked attribute strips, where each strip corresponds to a data attribute, allowing users to dynamically group and filter data elements by attribute values, with sections representing the number of data elements and enabling quick selection of relevant subsets without unnecessary navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional database search and filtering methods are used, then data can be retrieved and filtered, but users must navigate through multiple stages of filtering and present with irrelevant filtering options that yield no results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering process into visual strips, where each strip represents a different attribute. Users can independently select filters on each strip without navigating through multiple stages. This segmentation allows parallel filtering operations and eliminates sequential navigation steps, directly reducing time loss while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear filtering stages to a multi-dimensional visual representation using stacked strips. Each strip adds a new dimension for filtering by attribute, allowing users to simultaneously explore multiple attributes without sequential navigation. This dimensional change enables efficient data filtering while reducing the cognitive load and time required for operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all possible attribute values are presented for filtering, then users have complete filtering options, but users are presented with combinations of attribute values for filtering that would yield no data (empty sets)
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines which attribute values to display on each strip based on the data actually present in the database. The strips self-adjust to show only relevant filtering options that will yield results, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex filter combinations. This self-service approach maintains filtering completeness while simplifying user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual representation provides immediate feedback by displaying only attribute values that have actual data associated with them. The system dynamically adapts the filtering options based on the underlying data structure, ensuring that users are never presented with empty sets. This feedback mechanism maintains versatility while improving ease of operation by eliminating irrelevant filtering options.
3Stability of the object's composition
If data is organized in traditional hierarchical structures, then data can be systematically arranged, but the hierarchy is fixed and cannot be dynamically reorganized to focus on different aspects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reorganization of the data hierarchy through user interaction with the visual strips. Users can drag and drop strips to change the order of attributes, and the system dynamically adjusts the hierarchy accordingly. This dynamic capability allows the same stable data structure to be reorganized for different analytical purposes, maintaining both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual strip representation serves multiple functions: it displays data organization, enables dynamic reorganization, and provides filtering capabilities simultaneously. The same visual structure can be configured to emphasize different attributes or data aspects depending on user needs, making the system universally applicable to various data exploration scenarios while maintaining organizational stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An interface (108, 118) is provided on a computing device (106) for interacting with data stored in a data repository (102). Input is received including information identifying two or more attributes, and information indicating an order for the identified attributes. A hierarchical data structure is stored, with an order of hierarchy levels corresponding to the indicated order. Multiple attribute values for the attributes are determined. The method includes assigning to each node of a first level at least one of the attribute values of a first attribute, and assigning to each node of a second level at least one of the attribute values of a second attribute, each of the nodes of the second level also being assigned respective ones of the attribute values assigned to one or more nodes of preceding levels. The interface is displayed including displaying interface elements (113-117, 123-128) associated with each of the nodes.