Visual designer for non-linear domain logic

• US 8,732,603 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Tien, Ian, Hulen, Corey, Lim, Chen-I
• Primary Examiner(s): Nunez, Jordany
• Application Number:
  US11/636,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20080168376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,717 Days
• Field of Search: 715/772, 705/26.1
• US Class Current: 715/772
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

User interface that enables a user to manipulate visual representations of non-linear business logic to define and run data-centric “what-if” simulations. The visual interface models non-linear calculations based on the mapping of an input value in a non-linear domain to a score range, which score range can be continuous or non-continuous. The interface presents variable graphical indicator representations, as well as proximity and sensitivity visualizations. Different models can be developed and tested using live data feeds and aggregated dependent data feeds. The visual interface employs recursive scoring, and facilitates collaborative interface interaction.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system that facilitates data interaction, comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory coupled to the processing unit storing instructions that when executed implement;

a data component receiving a data feed;

a mapping component mapping an input value of a non-linear domain from the data feed to a score range having a first boundary smaller than the input value and a second boundary larger than the input value; and

a visual component facilitating a collaboration environment through which multiple users can share information and collaborate to test input values according to what-if scenarios, by recursively generating, with non-linear domain logic, an output score having a value in the score range and based on the relative position of the input value between the first and second boundaries, and presenting the output score as a visual representation having a first visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the first boundary and, a second visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the second boundary.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-linear domain includes at least one of business logic or compound logic.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual component dynamically generates and presents the output.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual component facilitates manipulation of a variable indicator representation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual component facilitates visualization of proximity information of the output to a boundary based on a performance target.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual component facilitates visualization of sensitivity information of the output, which is a score, based on a performance target.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the visual component generates the output based on a live data feed that includes the input value.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the score range is continuous or non-continuous.

4. The system of claim wherein the score range is based on recursive scoring.

10. A computer-implemented method of facilitating data interaction, comprising:

receiving an input value for generation of a target performance indicator;

selecting, a status band having a first status band boundary smaller than the input value and a second status band boundary larger than the input value and a range of output scores based on the input value;

computing a relative position of the input value between the first and second status band boundaries;

facilitating a collaboration environment through which multiple users can share information and collaborate to test input values according to what-if scenarios, by;

recursively computing, with non-linear domain logic, an output score based on the relative position of the input value to the status band boundaries and the range of output scores, available within the status band; and

presenting the output score as a visual representation having a first visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the first boundary and a second visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the second boundary.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising caching data related to dynamic creation of the output score.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising manually updating a status preview by refreshing data from a data source.

13. The method of claim 10. further comprising dynamically processing the input value to update the output score.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring a boundary of the status band based on data from an external source.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving the input value from a dependent data feed or a live data feed.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing what-if analysis by entering the input value as a test value to generate a key performance indicator as the output score.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising dragging graphical indicia along a performance contour graph and, dynamically generating and presenting the output score in response thereto.

18. A computer-implemented system, comprising:

computer-implemented means for receiving an input value for processing through non-linear domain logic;

computer-implemented means for mapping the input value to a score range having a first boundary smaller than the input value and a second boundary larger than the input value;

computer-implemented means for computing a relative position of the input value between the first and second boundaries of the score range;

computer-implemented means for facilitating a collaboration environment through which multiple users can share information and collaborate to test input values, according to what-if scenarios, by recursively computing, with non-linear domain logic, a performance indicator having a value in the score range and based on the relative position of the input value between the boundaries of the score range; and

computer-implemented means for presenting the performance indicator as a visual representation having a first visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the first boundary and a second visual indicator representing a degree of proximity to the second boundary.