Visual Indicator for Binding Data to Graphic Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods of creating data visualizations are either time-consuming and creative-intensive, requiring manual drawing or require significant technical expertise in programming and data science, making it difficult to quickly adapt to new datasets or changes in visualizations.

Innovation Solution

A data visualization system that allows designers to bind data to visual properties of graphic objects on a digital canvas, enabling intuitive data binding through graphical interfaces, such as dragging and dropping variables to visual properties, and allowing for automatic creation and updating of visualizations based on new datasets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional manual drawing methods are used to create data visualizations, then creative freedom and customization are improved, but time consumption and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of creating data visualizationVSAvoidtime to create data visualization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses templates that can be copied and reused for creating data visualizations. Instead of manually drawing each visualization from scratch, users can select from pre-defined template structures and simply bind their data to the template's visual properties, dramatically reducing creation time while maintaining customization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a binding mechanism as an intermediary between data and visual properties. This binding layer allows data to automatically drive visual elements without requiring manual drawing or programming, bridging the gap between raw data and polished visualizations through a simple drag-and-drop interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If programming code is used to create data visualizations, then automation and adaptability are improved, but technical expertise requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to new datasetsVSAvoidtechnical expertise required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical system of programming code with a graphical user interface-based binding mechanism. Instead of requiring users to write and maintain code for data visualization, the system uses visual drag-and-drop bindings that automatically adapt to new datasets, eliminating the need for programming expertise while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The binding mechanism serves multiple functions: it automatically adapts to different data types, generates appropriate visualizations, and allows easy modification for new datasets. This universal binding approach replaces the need for separate code implementations for different visualization scenarios, reducing technical barriers while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If data visualizations are manually created without data binding, then design flexibility is improved, but ease of updating visualizations with new data decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of updating visualizationsVSAvoiddata binding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic data binding where visualizations are automatically updated when underlying data changes. The binding mechanism creates living connections between data sources and visual elements, allowing visualizations to dynamically adapt to new data without manual intervention, making updates as simple as replacing the data source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing binding relationships between data variables and visual properties before data updates occur. This preliminary binding structure is created once during visualization creation, and then automatically handles all future data updates, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240153171A1Binding data to graphic objects using a visual indicator

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 ADOBE INC

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for generating a data visualization. In some embodiments, a method of generating a data visualization includes generating a first graphic object on a digital canvas. A data set including data associated with a plurality of variables is added to a data panel of the digital canvas. A selection of a variable from the plurality of variables on the data panel is received and a second graphic object connecting the variable and a cursor position on the digital canvas is generated. A selection of a visual property of the first graphic object is received using the cursor. Upon selection of the visual property, the first graphic object is linked to the data panel via the second graphic object. A chart is then generated comprising the first graphic object and one or more new graphic objects, based on the variable and the visual property of the first graphic object.