Sample data computation for rendering of graph elements

• US 9,671,950 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2015
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAS Institute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SAS Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: Morris, Bradley Edward, Edwards, Christopher Kendrick, Benson, Jordan Riley, Erikson, Timothy Joel, Devarajan, Ravinder, Patel, Himesh G., Berryman, Pat, Everdyke, Lisa Hope
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Jacinta M
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLS, DIANE M
• Application Number:
  US14/643,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20150262395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 345440-4402, 715212-220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9024 Graphs; Linked lists G06F16/9027 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/32 involving image mosaicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20072 Graph-based image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2211/428 Real-time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

In a method of computing sample data to render a graph element, first sample data is computed to render a first graph element type. A second indicator is received that indicates a second graph element type to present overlaid with the first graph element type. Second sample data is computed to render the second graph element type. Third sample data is computed to render a second instance of the first graph element type. The second instance of the first graph element type is rendered overlaid with the second graph element type using the computed second and third sample data. A first number of points computed for the second sample data is the same as a second number of points computed for the third sample data. A common axis is used, and the first number of points is determined based on a data type of the common axis.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to:

receive a first indicator indicating a first graph element type selected by a user to present in a first cell of a canvas panel presented on a display;

after receiving the first indicator and based on the first graph element type, determine a number of columns and a number of rows of data values to compute for a first graph element instance;

compute first sample data to render the first graph element instance based on the first graph element type, wherein the computed first sample data includes a data value computed for each column and row of the determined number of columns and the determined number of rows;

render the first graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel using the computed first sample data, wherein the first graph element instance is a visual representation of the first graph element type using the computed first sample data;

receive a second indicator indicating a second graph element type selected by the user to present in the first cell of the canvas panel overlaid with the first graph element instance;

after receiving the second indicator and based on the first graph element type and the second graph element type, determine a second number of columns and a second number of rows of data values to generate for a second graph element instance based on the first graph element type and a third graph element instance based on the second graph element type;

after determining the second number of columns and the second number of rows, compute second sample data to render the second graph element instance and the third graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel, wherein the computed second sample data includes a second data value and a third data value generated for each row of the determined number of rows, wherein the computed second sample data is not computed using data stored on the computer-readable medium prior to receiving the second indicator;

render the second graph element instance of the first graph element type overlaid with the third graph element instance of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel using the computed second sample data, wherein the second data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the second graph element instance and the third data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the third graph element instance, wherein the second graph element instance is a second visual representation of the first graph element type using the computed second sample data, and the third graph element instance is a visual representation of the second graph element type using the computed second sample data; and

store a graph design template that captures characteristics of the second visual representation of the first graph element type and the visual representation of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel without either the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data and without an indicator of either of the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data,

wherein a common axis is used for the third graph element instance and the second graph element instance, wherein determining the number of rows comprises determining a role usage type of the first graph element type and a data type of an axis of the first graph element type, and further wherein the number of rows is determined based on a data type of the common axis.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first graph element type and the second graph element type are a same graph element type.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first graph element type and the second graph element type are different graph element types.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein before determining the second number of columns and the second number of rows, the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to determine that the first graph element type and the second graph element type are compatible for overlaying in the first cell of the canvas panel.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein determining compatibility for overlaying in the first cell of the canvas panel is based on an axis role classification overlapping by at least one option for each axis of the first graph element type and the second graph element type.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,

wherein computing the first sample data is based on the role usage type of the first graph element type.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the role usage type of the first graph element type is selected from the group consisting of classification, analysis, and plot.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,

wherein computing the first sample data is based on the data type of an axis of the first graph element type.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8,

wherein the data type of the common axis is selected from the group consisting of category, date-time, and interval.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to identify a plurality of roles for a graph object, wherein the graph object includes information describing the first graph element type and the second graph element type.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein computing the second sample data is based on the plurality of roles identified for the graph object.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein a role of the plurality of roles identified for the graph object is lattice, wherein a lattice replicates the graph object that includes the second graph element instance and the third graph element instance in a plurality of cells.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the characteristics include an indicator of the lattice and of the graph object.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the characteristics include a first indicator of the first graph element type and a second indicator of the second graph element type, and a third indicator indicating the first graph element type is overlaid with the second graph element type.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to:

present a window in the display that includes an indicator of the stored graph design template;

receive a third indicator indicating dropping of the indicator of the stored graph design template into a first cell of a second canvas panel;

after receiving the third indicator, recompute the second sample data to render a fourth graph element instance based on the first graph element type and a fifth graph element instance based on the second graph element type in the first cell of the second canvas panel;

and

render the fourth graph element instance overlaid with the fifth graph element instance in the first cell of the second canvas panel using the recomputed second sample data,

wherein a second common axis is used for the fourth graph element instance and the fifth graph element instance.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to:

present a second window in the display that includes an indicator of data columns stored in a dataset;

receive a fourth indicator indicating selection of a first data column of the data columns for a first axis of the first graph element type and of the second graph element type;

receive a fifth indicator indicating selection of a second data column of the data columns for a second axis of the first graph element type;

receive a sixth indicator indicating selection of a third data column of the data columns for a second axis of the second graph element type;

render a sixth graph element instance based on the first graph element type in the first cell of the second canvas panel using data from the first data column and from the second data column; and

render a seventh graph element instance based on the second graph element type in the first cell of the second canvas panel using data from the first data column and from the third data column.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein determining the second number of rows comprises computing a first observation count for the first graph element type and a second observation count for the second graph element type, wherein the second number of rows is a maximum of the computed first observation count and the computed second observation count.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein determining the number of rows is based on the determined role usage type of the first graph element type and on the determined data type of the axis of the first graph element type.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein computing the data value for each column and row is based on the determined role usage type and the determined data type.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein computing the first sample data further comprises determining a minimum value and a maximum value for a column or a row of the first sample data based on the determined role usage type and the determined data type.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the first sample data is computed by randomly selecting values between the determined minimum value and the determined maximum value.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein computing the first sample data further comprises sorting the randomly selected values.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein computing the first sample data further comprises determining a start date-time value and an end date-time value for a column or a row of the first sample data based on the determined role usage type and the determined data type.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the first sample data is computed by randomly selecting values between the determined start date-time value and the determined end date-time value and sorting the randomly selected values.

25. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium operably coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to

receive a first indicator indicating a first graph element type selected by a user to present in a first cell of a canvas panel presented on a display;

after receiving the first indicator and based on the first graph element type, determine a number of columns and a number of rows of data values to compute for a first graph element instance;

compute first sample data to render the first graph element instance based on the first graph element type, wherein the computed first sample data includes a data value generated for each column and row of the determined number of columns and the determined number of rows;

render the first graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel using the computed first sample data, wherein the first graph element instance is a visual representation of the first graph element type using the computed first sample data;

receive a second indicator indicating a second graph element type selected by the user to present in the first cell of the canvas panel overlaid with the first graph element instance;

after receiving the second indicator and based on the first graph element type and the second graph element type, determine a second number of columns and a second number of rows of data values to generate for a second graph element instance based on the first graph element type and a third graph element instance based on the second graph element type;

after determining the second number of columns and the second number of rows, compute second sample data to render the second graph element instance and the third graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel, wherein the computed second sample data includes a second data value and a third data value generated for each row of the determined number of rows, wherein the computed second sample data is not generated using data stored on the computer-readable medium prior to receiving the second indicator; and

render the second graph element instance of the first graph element type overlaid with the third graph element instance of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel using the computed second sample data, wherein the second data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the second graph element instance and the third data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the third graph element instance, wherein the second graph element instance is a second visual representation of the first graph element type using the computed second sample data, and the third graph element instance is a visual representation of the second graph element type using the computed second sample data; and

store a graph design template that captures characteristics of the second visual representation of the first graph element type and the visual representation of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel without either the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data and without an indicator of either of the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data,

wherein a common axis is used for the third graph element instance and the second graph element instance, wherein determining the number of rows comprises determining a role usage type of the first graph element type and a data type of an axis of the first graph element type, and further wherein the number of rows is determined based on a data type of the common axis.

26. A method of computing sample data to render a graph element, the method comprising:

receiving a first indicator indicating a first graph element type selected by a user to present in a first cell of a canvas panel presented on a display;

after receiving the first indicator and based on the first graph element type, determining, by a computing device, a number of columns and a number of rows of data values to generate for a first graph element instance;

computing, by the computing device, first sample data to render the first graph element instance based on the first graph element type, wherein the generated first sample data includes a data value generated for each column and row of the determined number of columns and the determined number of rows;

rendering, by the computing device, the first graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel using the generated first sample data, wherein the first graph element instance is a visual representation of the first graph element type using the generated first sample data;

receiving a second indicator indicating a second graph element type selected by the user to present in the first cell of the canvas panel overlaid with the first graph element instance;

after receiving the second indicator and based on the first graph element type and the second graph element type, determining, by the computing device, a second number of columns and a second number of rows of data values to generate for a second graph element instance based on the first graph element type and a third graph element instance based on the second graph element type;

after determining the second number of columns and the second number of rows, computing, by the computing device, second sample data to render the second graph element instance and the third graph element instance in the first cell of the canvas panel, wherein the generated second sample data includes a second data value and a third data value generated for each row of the determined number of rows, wherein the generated second sample data is not generated using data stored on the computer-readable medium prior to receiving the second indicator;

rendering, by the computing device, the second graph element instance of the first graph element type overlaid with the third graph element instance of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel using the computed second sample data, wherein the second data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the second graph element instance and the third data value computed for each row of the determined number of rows is used to render the third graph element instance, wherein the second graph element instance is a second visual representation of the first graph element type using the computed second sample data, and the third graph element instance is a visual representation of the second graph element type using the computed second sample data; and

storing, by the computing device, a graph design template that captures characteristics of the second visual representation of the first graph element type and the visual representation of the second graph element type in the first cell of the canvas panel without either the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data and without an indicator of either of the generated first sample data or the generated second sample data,

wherein a common axis is used for the third graph element instance and the second graph element instance, wherein determining the number of rows comprises determining a role usage type of the first graph element type and a data type of an axis of the first graph element type, and further wherein the number of rows is determined based on a data type of the common axis.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining the second number of rows comprises computing a first observation count for the first graph element type and a second observation count for the second graph element type, wherein the second number of rows is a maximum of the computed first observation count and the computed second observation count.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein computing the first sample data comprises determining a start date-time value and an end date-time value for a column or a row of the first sample data based on a determined role usage type and a determined data type of an axis of the first graph element type.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein computing the data value for each column and row is based on the determined role usage type and the determined data type.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein computing the first sample data further comprises determining a minimum value and a maximum value for a column or a row of the first sample data based on the determined role usage type and the determined data type.