Visualizing Object Relationships with Dynamic Zoom

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing technologies fail to effectively visualize complex relationships between data objects, which are crucial for applications like fraud detection, as they often result in cluttered and unintuitive representations that hinder user understanding.

Innovation Solution

A computing device provides a visual manifestation of an object of interest and related objects, arranging them to convey relationship strength, with indications of exceptional relationships and security status, allowing user interaction through zooming and additional information retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If complex relationships between data objects are visualized using existing data processing technologies, then the complete relationship network is displayed, but the visualization becomes cluttered and unintuitive, hindering user understanding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelationship informationVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex relationship network by organizing objects into hierarchical groups and levels. Related objects are clustered together in visual groups, and the system provides multiple levels of zoom and detail. This segmentation reduces visual clutter while preserving complete relationship information, allowing users to understand complex relationships by navigating through organized segments rather than viewing all connections simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial dimensions to the visualization by arranging objects in two-dimensional space with meaningful spatial relationships. Objects are positioned based on their relationships, with related objects placed closer together. The system also implements zoomable interfaces that add a depth dimension, allowing users to navigate from high-level overviews to detailed relationship views. This dimensional approach transforms flat, cluttered data representations into intuitive spatial layouts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If all relationship details are displayed simultaneously, then complete information is provided, but the visualization becomes cluttered and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelationship detailsVSAvoidvisualization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic visualization system that adapts to user interaction and context. The interface allows users to zoom in and out, drill down into specific relationship groups, and dynamically adjust the level of detail displayed. Related objects can be expanded or collapsed based on user selection. This dynamic approach enables the system to present appropriate levels of complexity on demand, maintaining complete information availability while avoiding simultaneous display of all details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial action by initially displaying only the most relevant or high-level relationship information, then providing access to additional details as needed. Rather than overwhelming users with complete relationship details immediately, the system presents a simplified overview and allows users to progressively explore deeper levels of detail through interaction. This approach reduces initial visualization complexity while ensuring complete information remains accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional data representation methods are used, then data processing is simple, but complex object relationships cannot be effectively understood

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing simplicityVSAvoidrelationship understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces visual metaphors and spatial arrangements as intermediaries between raw data and user understanding. Instead of directly presenting complex relationship data in traditional tabular or hierarchical formats, the system uses visual objects, spatial positioning, and graphical connectors as intermediary representations. These visual intermediaries maintain the simplicity of data processing while dramatically improving relationship understanding through intuitive visual patterns that humans can naturally comprehend.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8516439B2Visualizing object relationships
Publication Date: 2013.08.20 IOVATION INC
  • US8516439B2 patent drawing
  • US8516439B2 patent drawing
  • US8516439B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and articles for enabling, by a computing device, provision of a visual manifestation of an object of interest and of one or more other objects related to the object of interest to a user of the computing device, are described herein. In various embodiments, the one or more other objects may be arranged in a manner conveying a degree of relationship, the visual manifestation further including a first indication of at least one exceptional relationship between any two objects or a second indication of a security status of one of the objects. Further, the computing device may facilitate the user in interacting with the visual manifestation, including altering or expanding the visual manifestation in response to a user interaction.