Methods and systems for providing a visualization graph

• US 7,617,185 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANNAVAJJALA, SRIRAMA T
• Application Number:
  US10/927,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20050108217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 47, 707100-102, 707/104.1, 707/104.14, 382224-227, 715853-854, 715/738, 715/962, 715/967, 345/440, 345/853, 345/619, 345/650, 345/676, 345/689
• 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 nodes in a memory device, wherein a semantic net includes the nodes and wherein the nodes are linked to each other by relations;

generating a query;

performing the query, by a computer processor, on the stored data and determining result nodes;

determining a predetermined distance as a number of relations on a shortest path between a particular result node and a focus node, wherein the result nodes outside the predetermined distance are not displayed on a visualization graph unless they are of particular interest and wherein the predetermined distance is more than one relation; and

displaying on a display device the visualization graph representing results of the query by displaying a subset of the result nodes, the visualization graph including;

the focus node, defined by a user or the query;

a first result node that is directly related to the focus node;

a second result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is within the predetermined distance from the focus node, and

a third result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is outside the predetermined distance from the focus node yet which is displayed because it is of particular interest, wherein the query uses context information to determine that the third result node is of the particular interest with respect to the focus node, and wherein the context information identifies the particular interest on the basis of a node type or relations linking the third result node to the focus node,

wherein the results of the query comprise a fourth result node that is indirectly related to the focus node, and

wherein the fourth result node is not displayed in the visualization graph because it is outside the predetermined distance and is not determined to be of particular interest.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the context information is defined by information associated with the focus node.

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

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance further comprises a number of relations between an indirectly related result node and the focus node.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the context information comprises at least one of user preference, information attached to the focus node, user role, or session history.

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

a database configured to store data corresponding to nodes, wherein a semantic net includes the nodes and wherein the nodes are linked to each other by relations;

a storage medium having recorded therein processor readable code processable to;

provide a visualization graph,

perform a query on the database to determine result nodes, and

determine a predetermined distance as a number of relations on a shortest path between a particular result node and a focus node, wherein the result nodes outside the predetermined distance are not displayed on the visualization graph unless they are of particular interest, and wherein the predetermined distance is more than one relation; and

an output device configured to display the visualization graph representing results of the query by displaying a subset of the result nodes, the visualization graph including;

the focus node, defined by a user or the query;

a first result node that is directly related to the focus node;

a second result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is within a predetermined distance from the focus node; and

a third result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is outside the predetermined distance from the focus node yet which is displayed because it is of particular interest, wherein the code further includes context code processable to express context information which is processable to determine that the third result node is of particular interest with respect to the focus node, wherein the context information identifies the particular interest on the basis of a node type or relations linking the third result node to the focus node

wherein the results of the query comprise a fourth node that is indirectly related to the focus node, and

wherein the fourth node is not displayed in the visualization graph because it is outside the predetermined distance and is not determined to be of particular interest.

8. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the context code is determined by at least one predetermined user preference.

9. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the context code is determined by information associated with the focus node.

10. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the context code is determined by a user'"'"'s current role and/or session history.

11. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined distance further comprises a number of relations between an indirectly related result node and the focus node.

12. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the context information comprises at least one of user preference, information attached to the focus node, user role, or session history.

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

storing data corresponding to nodes in a memory device, wherein a semantic net includes the nodes and wherein the nodes are linked to each other by relations;

generating a query;

performing the query, by a computer processor, on the stored data and determining result nodes;

determining a predetermined distance as a number of relations on a shortest path between a particular result node and a focus node, wherein the result nodes outside the predetermined distance are not displayed on a visualization graph unless they are of particular interest and wherein the predetermined distance is more than one relation; and

displaying on a display device the visualization graph representing results of the query by displaying a subset of the result nodes, the visualization graph including;

the focus node, defined by a user or the query;

a first result node that is directly related to the focus node;

a second result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is within the predetermined distance from the focus node; and

a third result node that is indirectly related to the focus node and is outside the predetermined distance from the focus node yet which is displayed because it is of a particular interest, wherein the query uses context information to determine that the third result node is of particular interest with respect to the focus node, wherein the context information identifies the particular interest on the basis of a node type or relations linking the third result node to the focus node,

wherein the results of the query comprise a fourth result node that is indirectly related to the focus node, and

wherein the fourth result node is not displayed in the visualization graph because it is outside the predetermined distance and is not determined to be of particular interest.