Systems and methods for providing drag and drop analytics in a dynamic data visualization interface

• US 10,332,284 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2015
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tableau Software Incorporated (Salesforce.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tableau Software Incorporated (Salesforce.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kim, Jun, Stolte, Christopher Richard, Mackinlay, Jock Douglas, Stewart, Robin, Beran, Bora, Talbot, Justin, Rueter, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Higgs, Stella
• Application Number:
  US14/628,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20160070430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/26 Visual data mining; Browsing structured data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

A method executes at an electronic device with a display, concurrently displaying a chart that displays visual marks representing a set of data and a plurality of analytic icons. The method detects a first portion of an input on a first analytic icon, and in response displays one or more option icons that correspond to options for performing a first analytical operation that corresponds to the first analytic icon. The method also detects a second portion of the input on the first analytic icon and in response moves the first analytic icon over a respective option icon such that the first analytic icon is over the respective option icon immediately prior to ceasing to detect the input. In addition, the method adds one or more graphics to the chart that correspond to the first analytical operation and a respective option that corresponds to the respective option icon.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a display;

displaying, in a data visualization region, a chart that displays visual marks representing a set of data;

concurrently displaying, in a schema information region, a plurality of analytic icons, each analytic icon specifying a parameterized calculation of a line or band based, at least in part, on the displayed visual marks;

while concurrently displaying the chart in the data visualization region and the plurality of analytic icons in the schema information region;

detecting, in the schema information region, a first portion of an input on a first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, displaying, in the data visualization region, one or more option icons selected in accordance with the first analytic icon, wherein (i) the one or more option icons are distinct from the first analytic icon and (ii) each option icon specifies a unique parameter value for applying the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon;

detecting a second portion of the input on the first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the second portion of the input on the first analytic icon, moving the first analytic icon, from the schema information region, to a respective option icon in the one or more option icons displayed in the data visualization region, such that the first analytic icon is positioned over the respective option icon; and

in response to moving the first analytic icon to the respective option icon and while still detecting the input, providing a preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the respective option icon to form a line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the line or band graphic on the chart.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input comprises a drag and drop operation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter values specified by the one or more option icons are specific to the first analytical operation.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, visually distinguishing the first analytic icon from other analytic icons in the plurality of analytic icons.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, visually distinguishing the first analytic icon from other analytic icons in the plurality of analytic icons and concurrently dimming the chart.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein an image is displayed on a respective option icon that illustrates a type of graphic that will be added to the chart if the respective option icon is selected.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon includes a plurality of analytical operations.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

ceasing to detect the input; and

in response to ceasing to detect the input, maintaining display of the chart and the line or band graphic superimposed on the chart.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

while concurrently displaying the chart with the superimposed line or band graphic and the plurality of analytic icons in the schema information region;

detecting a first portion of a second input on a second analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the first portion of the second input on the second analytic icon, displaying, in the data visualization region, one or more second option icons selected in accordance with the second analytic icon, wherein (i) the one or more second option icons are distinct from the second analytic icon and (ii) each second option icon specifies a unique parameter value for applying the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the second analytic icon;

detecting a second portion of the second input on the second analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the second portion of the second input on the second analytic icon moving the second analytic icon, from the schema information region, to a respective second option icon in the one or more second option icons displayed in the data visualization region, such that the second analytic icon is positioned over the respective second option icon; and

in response to moving the second analytic icon to the respective second option icon and while still detecting the second input, providing an additional preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the second analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the respective second option icon to form an additional line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the additional line or band graphic on the chart.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

while displaying the chart and the one or more added graphics, detecting one or more inputs that select a plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks in the chart; and

in response to detecting the one or more inputs that select the plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks in the chart;

displaying one or more additional graphics based on data in the set of data that corresponds to the selected plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks; and

maintaining display of the chart and the one or more added graphics in the chart.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

while providing the preview and while still detecting the input, detecting a third portion of the input on the first analytic icon;

in response to detecting the third portion of the input on the first analytic icon, moving the first analytic icon from the respective option icon in the one or more option icons to another respective option icon in the one or more option icons, such that the first analytic icon is positioned over the other respective option icon; and

in response to moving the first analytic icon to the other respective option icon and while still detecting the input, providing a different preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the other respective option icon to form a different line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the different line or band graphic on the chart.

12. A client device, comprising:

one or more processors;

memory;

a display; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for;

displaying, in a data visualization region, a chart that displays visual marks representing a set of data;

concurrently displaying, in a schema information region, a plurality of analytic icons, each analytic icon specifying a parameterized calculation of a line or band based, at least in part, on the displayed visual marks;

while concurrently displaying the chart in the data visualization region and the plurality of analytic icons in the schema information region;

detecting, in the schema information region, a first portion of an input on a first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, displaying, in the data visualization region, one or more option icons selected in accordance with the first analytic icon, wherein (i) the one or more option icons are distinct from the first analytic icon and (ii) each option icon specifies a unique parameter value for applying the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon;

detecting a second portion of the input on the first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the second portion of the input on the first analytic icon, moving the first analytic icon, from the schema information region, to a respective option icon in the one or more option icons displayed in the data visualization region, such that the first analytic icon is positioned over the respective option icon; and

in response to moving the first analytic icon to the respective option icon and while still detecting the input, providing a preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the respective option icon to form a line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the line or band graphic on the chart.

13. The client device of claim 12, wherein the input comprises a drag and drop operation.

14. The client device of claim 12, wherein the parameter values specified by the one or more option icons are specific to the first analytical operation.

15. The client device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, visually distinguishing the first analytic icon from other analytic icons in the plurality of analytic icons.

16. The client device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, visually distinguishing the first analytic icon from other analytic icons in the plurality of analytic icons and concurrently dimming the chart.

17. The client device of claim 12, wherein an image is displayed on a respective option icon that illustrates a type of graphic that will be added to the chart if the respective option icon is selected.

18. The client device of claim 12, wherein the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon includes a plurality of analytical operations.

19. The client device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

ceasing to detect the input; and

in response to ceasing to detect the input, maintaining display of the chart and the line or band graphic superimposed on the chart.

20. The client device of claim 19, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

while concurrently displaying the chart with the superimposed line or band graphic and the plurality of analytic icons in the schema information region;

detecting a first portion of a second input on a second analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the first portion of the second input on the second analytic icon, displaying, in the data visualization region, one or more second option icons selected in accordance with the second analytic icon, wherein (i) the one or more second option icons are distinct from the second analytic icon and (ii) each second option icon specifies a unique parameter value for applying the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the second analytic icon;

detecting a second portion of the second input on the second analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the second portion of the second input on the second analytic icon moving the second analytic icon, from the schema information region, to a respective second option icon in the one or more second option icons displayed in the data visualization region, such that the second analytic icon is positioned over the respective second option icon; and

in response to moving the second analytic icon to the respective second option icon and while still detecting the second input, providing an additional preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the second analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the respective second option icon to form an additional line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the additional line or band graphic on the chart.

21. The client device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

while displaying the chart and the one or more added graphics, detecting one or more inputs that select a plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks in the chart; and

in response to detecting the one or more inputs that select the plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks in the chart;

displaying one or more additional graphics based on data in the set of data that corresponds to the selected plurality, less than all, of the displayed visual marks; and

maintaining display of the chart and the one or more added graphics in the chart.

22. The client device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

while providing the preview and while still detecting the input, detecting a third portion of the input on the first analytic icon;

in response to detecting the third portion of the input on the first analytic icon, moving the first analytic icon from the respective option icon in the one or more option icons to another respective option icon in the one or more option icons, such that the first analytic icon is positioned over the other respective option icon; and

in response to moving the first analytic icon to the other respective option icon and while still detecting the input, providing a different preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the other respective option icon to form a different line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the different line or band graphic on the chart.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a client device having one or more processors, memory, and a display, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

displaying, in a data visualization region, a chart that displays visual marks representing a set of data;

concurrently displaying, in a schema information region, a plurality of analytic icons, each analytic icon specifying a parameterized calculation of a line or band based, at least in part, on the displayed visual marks;

while concurrently displaying the chart in the data visualization region and the plurality of analytic icons in the schema information region;

detecting, in the schema information region, a first portion of an input on a first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the first portion of the input on the first analytic icon, displaying, in the data visualization region, one or more option icons selected in accordance with the first analytic icon, wherein (i) the one or more option icons are distinct from the first analytic icon and (ii) each option icon specifies a unique parameter value for applying the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon;

detecting a second portion of the input on the first analytic icon in the plurality of analytic icons;

in response to detecting the second portion of the input on the first analytic icon, moving the first analytic icon, from the schema information region, to a respective option icon in the one or more option icons displayed in the data visualization region, such that the first analytic icon is positioned over the respective option icon; and

in response to moving the first analytic icon to the respective option icon and while still detecting the input, providing a preview in the chart in accordance with the detected input, including;

performing the parameterized calculation that corresponds to the first analytic icon on data in the set of data corresponding to the displayed visual marks using the parameter value specified by the respective option icon to form a line or band graphic distinct from the displayed visual marks; and

upon performing the parameterized calculation, superimposing the line or band graphic on the chart.