System an method for the visual display of data in an interactive split pie chart

• US 6,320,586 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1998
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Plattner, Hasso, Elliott, Keith, Good, Michael, Wilson, John M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOOD JOHNSON, MOTILEWA
• Application Number:
  US09/186,672
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440, 345/441
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A computer system having a visual display which displays data in an interactive split pie chart and permits a user to modify the input parameters of the pie chart to dynamically alter the configuration of the chart. The split pie chart can be split into two or more sections each corresponding to a different time period. Each section is divided into wedges corresponding to different variables and their corresponding values in two different time periods. Finally, the chart itself is geographically placed on a graphic image of a map. An interface between the computer system and a data storage system to transfer data to be transformed into the graphical representation of the pie chart is provided. The user modifies the input parameters of the pie chart through a user interface which translates the modifications into queries to the database storage system to retrieve the appropriate data.

Claims

1. A system for comparing a first set of data having two or more data, and a second set of data having two or more data in a split pie chart comprising:

means for splitting a pie chart into a first half and a second half to generate said split pie chart, said splitting creating an angle of 180 degrees between said first half and said second half;

means for generating a first plurality of wedges with a first plurality of sizes for said first set of data in said first half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data;

means for generating a second plurality of wedges with a second plurality of sizes for said second set of data in said second half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data;

means for measuring the relative sizes of said first set of data and said second set of data; and

means for altering the area of said first half or the area of said second half of said split pie chart based on said measuring.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for storing data in a data storage mechanism;

means for making a first request for said first set of data through a user interface;

means for communicating said first request for said first set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

means for retrieving said first set of data from said data storage mechanism;

means for communicating said first set of data to said user interface;

means for making a second request for said second set of data, which contains identical variables as said first set of data, through a user interface;

means for communicating said second request for said second set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

means for retrieving said second set of data from said data storage mechanism; and

means for communicating said second set of data to said user interface.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for requesting a geographic variable corresponding to said first set of data and said second set of data;

means for generating a computerized map based on said requesting of said geographic variable; and

means for placing said split pie chart on said computerized map.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

means for placing a plurality of said split pie charts on said computerized map.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

means for calculating the relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts; and

means for decreasing or increasing the sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts based upon said calculating.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for making a plurality of requests for a plurality of sets of data;

means for splitting said split pie chart into a plurality of sections corresponding to said plurality of sets of data;

means for calculating the relative size of each set of data in comparison to the total size of all the sets of data; and

means for increasing or decreasing the size of said sections based upon the calculated relative size of the corresponding set of data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said split pie chart has a circumference further comprising:

means for placing marks around said circumference of said split pie chart at predetermined intervals.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said split pie chart has three dimensions.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

means for altering a third dimension of said three dimensions of one of said first half or said second half of said split pie chart corresponding to the value of an additional variable.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for providing a power law formula;

means for inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

means for inputting said first plurality of sizes and said second plurality of sizes into said power law formula;

means for calculating corrected sizes from said first plurality and said second plurality of sizes; and

means for adjusting said first plurality and said second plurality of sizes taking into account said corrected sizes.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for providing a power law formula;

means for inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

means for inputting said size of said first half and said size of said second half of said split pie chart into said power law formula;

means for calculating corrected split sizes from said size of said first half and said size of said second half; and

means for adjusting said size of said first half and said size of said second half taking into account said corrected split sizes.

12. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

means for providing a power law formula;

means for inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

means for inputting said relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts into said power law formula;

means for calculating corrected sizes from said relative sizes of said split pie charts; and

means for adjusting said relative sizes of said split pie charts taking into account said corrected sizes.

13. The system of claim 2 wherein said data storage mechanism is a spreadsheet.

14. The system of claim 2 wherein said data storage mechanism is a relational database.

15. The system of claim 2 wherein said data storage mechanism is a multidimensional database.

16. The system of claim 2 wherein said first plurality of sizes of said first plurality of wedges and said second plurality of sizes of said second plurality of wedges are numerically sorted by size.

17. A method for comparing a first set of data having two or more data, and a second set of data having two or more data in a split pie chart comprising the steps of:

splitting a pie chart into a first half and a second half to generate said split pie chart, said splitting creating an angle of 180 degrees between said first half and said second half;

generating a first plurality of wedges with a first plurality of sizes for said first set of data in said first half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data;

generating a second plurality of wedges with a second plurality of sizes for said second set of data in said second half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data;

measuring the relative sizes of said first set of data and said second set of data; and

altering the area of said first half or the area of said second half of said split pie chart based on said measuring.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

storing data in a data storage mechanism;

making a first request for said first set of data through a user interface;

communicating said first request for said first set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

retrieving said first set of data from said data storage mechanism;

communicating said first set of data to said user interface;

making a second request for said second set of data, which contains identical variables as said first set of data, through a user interface;

communicating said second request for said second set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

retrieving said second set of data from said data storage mechanism; and

communicating said second set of data to said user interface.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

requesting a geographic variable corresponding to said first set of data and said second set of data;

generating a computerized map based on said requesting of said geographic variable; and

placing said split pie chart on said computerized map.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of said split pie charts on said computerized map.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

calculating the relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts; and

decreasing or increasing the sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts based upon said calculating.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

making a plurality of requests for a plurality of sets of data;

splitting said split pie chart into a plurality of sections corresponding to said plurality of sets of data;

calculating the relatives size of each set of data in comparison to the total size of all the sets of data; and

increasing or decreasing the size of said sections based upon the calculated relative size of the corresponding set of data.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein said split pie chart has a circumference further comprising the step of:

placing marks around said circumference of said pie chart at predetermined intervals.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of providing a third dimension of three dimensions to said split pie chart.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

altering said third dimension of three dimensions of one of said first half and said second half of said split pie chart corresponding to the value of an additional variable.

26. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said first plurality of sizes and said second plurality of sizes into said power law formula;

calculating corrected sizes from said first plurality and said second plurality of sizes; and

adjusting said first plurality and second plurality of sizes taking into account said corrected sizes.

27. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said size of said first half and said size of said second half of said split pie chart into said power law formula;

calculating corrected split sizes from said size of said first half and said size of said second half; and

adjusting said size of said first half and said size of said second half taking into account said corrected split sizes.

28. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts into said power law formula;

calculating corrected sizes from said relative sizes of said split pie charts; and

adjusting said relative sizes of said split pie charts taking into account said corrected sizes.

29. The method of claim 18 wherein said data storage mechanism is a spreadsheet.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein said data storage mechanism is a relational database.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein said data storage mechanism is a multidimensional database.

32. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of numerically sorting said first plurality of sizes of said first plurality of wedges and said second plurality of sizes of said second plurality of wedges by size.

33. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, said plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to display a first set of data having two or more data, and a second set of data having two or more data by performing the steps of:

splitting a pie chart into a first half and a second half to generate said split pie chart, said splitting creating an angle of 180 degrees between said first half and said second half;

generating a first plurality of wedges for said first set of data in said first half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data;

generating a second plurality of wedges for said second set of data in said second half of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data;

measuring the relative size of said first set of data and said second set of data; and

altering the area of said first half or the area of said second half of said split pie chart based on said measuring.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

storing data in a data storage mechanism;

making a first request for said first set of data through a user interface;

communicating said first request for said first set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

retrieving said first set of data from said data storage mechanism;

communicating said first set of data to said user interface;

making a second request for said second set of data, which contains identical variables as said first set of data, through a user interface;

communicating said second request for said second set of data from said user interface to said data storage mechanism;

retrieving said second set of data from said data storage mechanism; and

communicating said second set of data to said user interface.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

requesting a geographic variable corresponding to said first set of data and said second set of data;

generating a computerized map based on said requesting of said geographic variable; and

placing said split pie chart on said computerized map.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further step of:

placing a plurality of said split pie charts on said computerized map.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

calculating the relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts; and

decreasing or increasing the sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts based upon said calculating.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

making a plurality of requests for a plurality of sets of data;

splitting said split pie chart into a plurality of sections corresponding to said plurality of sets of data;

calculating the relatives size of each set of data in comparison to the total size of all the sets of data; and

increasing or decreasing the size of said sections based upon the calculated relative size of the corresponding set of data.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further step of:

placing marks around said circumference of said split pie chart at predetermined intervals.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further step of providing a third dimension of three dimensions to said split pie chart.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further step of:

altering said third dimension of three dimensions of one of said first half and said second half of said pie chart corresponding to the value of an additional variable.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said first plurality of sizes and said second plurality of sizes into said power law formula;

calculating corrected sizes from said first plurality and said second plurality of sizes; and

adjusting said first plurality and second plurality of sizes taking into account said corrected sizes.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 33 wherein said instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said size of said first half and said size of said second half of said split pie chart into said power law formula;

calculating corrected split sizes from said size of said first half and said size of said second half; and

adjusting said size of said first half and said size of said second half taking into account said corrected split sizes.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further steps of:

providing a power law formula;

inputting a correction factor into said power law formula;

inputting said relative sizes of said plurality of said split pie charts into said power law formula;

calculating corrected sizes from said relative sizes of said split pie charts; and

adjusting said relative sizes of said split pie charts taking into account said corrected sizes.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said data storage mechanism is a spreadsheet.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said data storage mechanism is a relational database.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said data storage mechanism is a multidimensional database.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein said instructions, when executed by said processor, cause the processor to perform the further step of numerically sorting said first plurality of sizes of said first plurality of wedges and said second plurality of sizes of said second plurality of wedges by size.

49. A system for displaying data to a user in a split pie chart said system comprising:

a user interface configured to receive from the user a selection sufficient to identify a first set of data having two or more data and a second set of data having two or more data stored in a database;

a query subsystem for formulating a database query for said database based on said selection;

an interface for communicating said database query to a data storage mechanism associated with said database;

an interface for retrieving said first and said second sets of data to a visual display system; and

said visual display system generating and displaying said split pie chart such that said split pie chart has a first plurality of wedges for said first set of data on a first 180 degree side of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said first plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said first set of data, and a second plurality of wedges for said second set of data on a second 180 degree side of said split pie chart, wherein the size of each wedge in said second plurality of wedges corresponds to a data in said second set of data, said pluralities of wedges each having a respective total area derived dependent on a total of values of the associated set of data.

50. A system for obtaining and displaying data to a user, said system comprising:

a user interface adapted to receive input from said user and to derive from said input a selection identifying data stored by a database storage system;

a query subsystem communicating with said database storage system, said query subsystem preparing at least one query from the selection and transmitting said query to the database storage system;

a display system including a display device generating an image that can be seen by said user, said display device receiving a plurality of sets of data responsive to said query, each of said sets of data comprising a plurality of numerical data values, the number of said sets being at least three;

said display system preparing a split pie chart from the plurality of sets of data, said split pie chart including a split for each of the sets of data, said splits all having an equal split angle determined by dividing a circle by the number of sets of data in said plurality of sets of data, the split angle of said splits being 120°

or less;

said splits each having a respective area derived based on a total of the numerical data values of the associated set of data;

said splits each being further divided into wedges, each representing an angular proportion of a respective numerical data value of the associated set of data; and

said display device displaying said split pie chart to said user.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said area of each split is calculated so that said splits each have a respective radius that is greater or equal to a predetermined minimum radius, and less than or equal to a predetermined maximum radius.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein each split is formed of pixels, and the area of each split is determined using a variable representing a value per pixel.

53. The system of claim 50 wherein said area of each split of said pie chart is derived from the total of the numerical data values of the associated set of data and an adjustment such that said area of each split appears to human perception to be in a same proportion as the respective totals of each of the data sets of the plurality of data sets.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein said adjustment includes a correction according to the formula

55. The system of claim 50, wherein said split pie chart includes a first split pie chart, and further comprising:

a second split pie chart, said second split pie chart prepared based on a second input from said user;

and wherein said display device displaying said split pie chart to said user comprises;

said display device displaying said first and second pie charts having relative sizes that appear to human perception to be in the same proportion as said respective total values of the numerical values of the sets of data of the first and second pie charts.

56. The system of claim 50, wherein said splits each have a respective thickness, said thicknesses each being proportional to a respective additional data value associated with each respective set of data.

57. The system of claim 50, wherein said split pie chart is displayed in combination with a geographical map of a location listed in said database with at least one of the sets of data.

58. The system of claim 50, wherein said database is a relational database.

59. The system of claim 50, wherein said display system is interactive with said user and affords to said user a capability of selecting a parameter on which said split pie chart is generated and displayed.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein said parameter is a coefficient used in adjusting relative sizes of said splits to compensate for human perception of relative areas thereof.

61. A method of obtaining and displaying data to a user, said method comprising:

deriving from an input from said user a selection identifying data in a database;

querying said database using a query derived from said selection;

receiving from said database a plurality of sets of data responsive to said querying, said sets of data each comprising a plurality of numerical data values;

preparing a split pie chart for said user from said plurality of sets of data, wherein each set of data is associated respectively with a split, said preparing of said split pie chart including;

deriving a split angle for said splits of said sets of data, said split angles of said splits all being equal and being derived by dividing a circle by the number of data sets in said plurality of data sets, the number of data sets being three or more, and the split angle of the splits being 120°

or less;

deriving areas of said splits, each area being determined dependent on a total of said numerical data values for said set of data associated therewith; and

displaying said split pie chart to said user.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of deriving areas further includes deriving areas so that said splits each have a respective radius that is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum radius and less than or equal to a predetermined maximum radius.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein said splits are each formed of pixels, with said area of each split being determined using a variable representing a value per pixel.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein said area of each split of said pie chart is derived from the total of said associated numerical data values and an adjustment such that each split has an area that appears to a human perception to be in a same proportion as said totals of said numerical data values.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein said adjustment includes a correction according to the formula

66. The method of claim 61, wherein said split pie chart includes a first split pie chart, and further comprising:

a second split pie chart, said second split pie chart prepared based on a second input from said user;

and wherein displaying said split pie chart to said user includes displaying said first and second split pie charts such that said first and second pie charts have relative sizes that appear to human perception to be in a same proportion as said total values of said numerical values of said respective sets of data of said first and second pie charts.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein each split has a respective thickness proportional to a respective additional data value associated with each respective set of data.

68. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

obtaining a computer-stored map of a geographical location linked in said data base with at least one of said sets of data; and

displaying said split pie chart to said user superimposed on said map.

69. The method of claim 61, wherein said database is a relational database.

70. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

receiving a parameter input from said user selecting a parameter with which said split pie chart is generated;

displaying said split pie chart generated by said selected parameter.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said parameter is a coefficient used in adjusting relative sizes of said splits to compensate for human perception of relative areas thereof.

72. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 61.

73. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 62.

74. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 63.

75. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 64.

76. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 65.

77. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 66.

78. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 67.

79. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 68.

80. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 69.

81. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 70.

82. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of claim 71.