Methods and systems for providing a visualization graph

• US 20050108217A1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Werner, Horst, Beringer, Joerg, Hatscher, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A visualization graph is provided on a computer by storing data corresponding to a plurality of entities and/or nodes, wherein a semantic net includes the entities and/or nodes and wherein the entities and/or nodes are linked to each other by a plurality of relations. A query is generated and performed on the data. Data is output in the form of a visualization graph representing the results of the query, wherein the graph has a focus entity or node defined by a user or the query. Context information is used to determine at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results that is indirectly related to the focus entity or node.

Claims

1. A method of providing a visualization graph on a computer comprising:

storing data corresponding to a plurality of entities and/or nodes, wherein a semantic net includes the entities and/or nodes and wherein the entities and/or nodes are linked to each other by a plurality of relations;

generating a query;

performing the query on the data, and outputting at least two of the stored data in the form of a visualization graph representing the results of the query, wherein the graph has a focus entity or node defined by a user or the query; and

using context information to determine at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results that is indirectly related to the focus entity or node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the context information allows at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results that are indirectly related by more than two relations.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the context information enables identification of at least one entity and/or node having a particular interest with respect to the focus entity or node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the context information identifies a particular interest on the basis of an entity or node type or due to the relations linking the entity and/or node to the focus entity or node.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the context information is defined by at least one predetermined user preference.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the context information is defined by a user'"'"'s current role and/or session history.

6. The method of claim, wherein the context information is defined by information associated with the focus entity or node.

8. A computer for providing a visualization graph, comprising:

a database for storing data corresponding to a plurality of entities and/or nodes, wherein a semantic net includes the entities and/or nodes and wherein the entities and/or nodes are linked to each other by a plurality of relations;

a storage medium having recorded therein processor readable code processable to provide a visualization graph, the code including a query code processable to perform a query on the database;

an output device for outputting at least two of the plurality of data in the form of a visualization graph representing the results of the query, wherein the visualization graph has a focus entity or node defined by a user or the query, wherein the code further includes context code processable to express context information which is processable to determine at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results which is indirectly related to the focus entity or node.

9. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is processable to allow at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results which are indirectly related by more than two relations.

10. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is processable to enable identification of at least one entity and/or node having a particular interest with respect to the focus entity or node.

11. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is processable to identify a particular interest on the basis of an entity or node type or due to the relations linking the entity and/or node to the focus entity or node.

12. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is determined by at least one predetermined user preference.

13. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is determined by information associated with the focus entity or node.

14. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the context code is determined by a user'"'"'s current role and/or session history.

15. A program storage device readable by a processing apparatus, the device embodying instructions executable by the processor to perform the steps of:

storing data corresponding to a plurality of entities and/or nodes, wherein a semantic net includes the entities and/or nodes and wherein the entities and/or nodes are linked to each other by a plurality of relations;

generating a query;

performing the query on the data, and outputting at least two of the stored data in the form of a visualization graph representing the results of the query, wherein the graph has a focus entity or node defined by a user or the query; and

using context information to determine at least one entity and/or node to be output in the results that is indirectly related to the focus entity or node.