Patent Application
20120005228
This invention relates generally to data navigation techniques and more particularly to, a method and system for linearly and non-linearly navigating and displaying a multi dimensional data structure through a user interface.
Data navigation becomes tedious while accessing large databases. While navigating a multi dimensional data structure, the user needs to go through various views and data before reaching the relevant records. Though the data may be stored in a hierarchical order, for viewing and/or modifying the data, the user need to interact with the data structure multiple times. In situations where there is a need to traverse a multi-dimensional data for viewing/modifying purposes, the user has to traverse to different screens or select multiple choices to view the required data. Further, if the user needs to skip one hierarchical level, the user need to traverse through all dimensions and data.
A prior solution for solving this problem is having a different view for each dimension where user is required to select the appropriate sub-option from the view and go to the next dimension of data and repeat the process until user reaches the required view. For changing the view user have to go up the appropriate level and then change to a new sub-option and this process is very tedious.
For example, data can be stored in hierarchical order in many situations. The hierarchical order may include relational objects being stored based on the hierarchical level. In an example, in a hospital, records of all the patients may be stored in the form of tree structure. The hospital information might contain hospital name, departments, patient information and patient records etc. Patient reports need to be fetched from the database quickly and efficiently. Many times, while navigating the relevant records, the user ends ups viewing different levels of information and each level of information could be opened in a different window. Thus to navigate forward or backward through the data, the user need to navigate through different windows/views. Some of the solutions provide dropdown menus or scrollbars to navigate data upon reaching a desired level. Certain interfaces are provided which will help the user to navigate through the data. However the main limitation of the existing solutions include, user viewing different views or forms of data and performing a large number of navigation operations.
In another example, financial data is stored in data structure where the data records are of same type and only the content and context of information is changed. In similar scenario, to traverse to a relevant data record, user needs to view different screens and select multiple options. However since the data is arranged in a structured manner, it could be traversed in a simple and effective way. Thus there exist a need to provide a simple and intuitive way to traverse such data with minimum user interaction in a streamlined fashion.
The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of navigating a tree type data structure having multiple data fields with data records arranged in multi dimension. The method comprises: obtaining a search query to navigate plurality of records in the data structure wherein the data structure is defined to have a root and plurality of dimensions including a first dimension and a last dimension, each dimension being derived from the root through one or more hierarchical nodes defining data fields and all hierarchical nodes in a dimension being at equal distance from the root; accessing a navigation bar having at least one navigation icon and a text based search navigation tool for accessing the data records from the data structure, the navigation icons being defined by: obtaining attributes of data structure including dimensional information; providing navigation icons corresponding to each dimension in the data structure and assigning predefined navigating states to each navigation icon corresponding to the data fields in the data structure; and navigating the data structure using the navigation icons, each navigation icon being configured to linearly navigate through predefined navigating states through hierarchical nodes in each dimension based on the search query; and displaying data records available in the last dimension, upon completely navigating through all the dimensions.
In another embodiment, a data navigation system having a display, processor and a memory for navigating a multi dimensional data structure is disclosed. The system comprises: a user interface configured to navigate through a data structure having multiple data fields with data records arranged in multi dimension wherein the data structure is defined to have a root and plurality of dimensions including a first dimension and a last dimension, each dimension being derived from the root through one or more hierarchical nodes relating to data fields and each hierarchical node in a dimension is at equal distance from the root, comprises: a navigation bar configured to include navigation icons corresponding to each dimension in the data structure, each navigation icon being configured to navigate through a predefined navigating state defined based on the attributes of data field; the navigation bar further comprises a text based search tool; a label area for displaying relevant data fields upon navigating through the data fields; a display area for displaying data records available in the last dimension, upon completely navigating through all the dimensions.
In yet another embodiment, a method of obtaining patient reports in a hospital is disclosed. The method comprises: arranging the patient reports as multi dimension data records in a tree type data structure; identifying the dimensions and attributes data structure, each dimension indicate a level of hierarchy in the data structure; providing navigation icons representing each dimension to linearly traverse through the data structure, the navigation icons being configured to navigate to a predefined navigating state; providing a text based search tool along with a dimension selector to navigate non linearly through the data structure; and navigating the patient report linearly using the navigation icons and non-linearly using the search tool.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory, hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand alone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed software package, and the like. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for navigating and displaying a multi dimensional data structure. A user interface is provided with navigation icons corresponding to each dimension in the data structure, representing data fields in the data structure. Accessing the navigation icons will assist the user in navigating to a predefined navigating state and thereby assisting the user in navigating through the data structure linearly.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the data records in the data structure are displayed only after navigating through all dimensions in the data structure. The information available on the sub nodes or available in the intermediate navigating states is not displayed. Further aspect of the invention suggests a data viewer wherein, the data can be navigated linearly and non-linearly and only appropriate records are displayed after completing navigation through all dimensions. This will help the user to go through and view minimal number of data records or sub nodes in the data structure.
The method and system may be applied to any data information structured in a hierarchical order. The relational objects or data stored in the form of a tree is an example of the data structure discussed. The data structure includes data arranged in the form of parent-child relation and the data is arranged in multi dimension. In an embodiment, the data structure could include data from the healthcare domain, or financial domain. However the application of the method need not be restricted to these domains. The method is particularly useful in navigating through data structure wherein data is arranged in multiple dimensions but the least hierarchical data is at the lowest dimension and other dimensions act as meta data about it. The data in the data structure could include text data, tabular or grid data information, meta data, image data, however data need to be limited to these examples.
Still referring to
At step 230, predefined navigation states are assigned to the navigation icons. For example, by accessing a navigation icon, the user may be directed to a predefined navigating state by skipping the intermediate navigating states. The data could be navigated linearly by accessing the navigation icons sequentially. However, if the user wants to skip an intermediate navigating state, the user could do so by accessing the navigation icon assigned for a particular navigating state. The navigation icons access the data through hierarchical nodes in each dimension. A text based search tool is provided on the user interface at step 240. This will assist the user in navigating the data in a non-linear way. The search tool could be used in conjunction with the navigation icons to navigate the data structure. In an embodiment, if the user is aware of a data field or attribute of any data record, the user could use the search tool to navigate to the data field or record directly. The search tool will assist the user in navigating effectively upon reaching a desired dimension using the navigation icons. Optionally a dimensional selector could be provided along with the search tool. This will assist the user in accessing desired dimension directly without using the navigation icons.
At step 250, the data structure is navigated for relevant data records using navigation icons alone or in conjunction with the search tool. If the data needs to be navigated sequentially user might access the navigation icons. In case of non-linear data traversal, the user could access the search tool alone or search tool in conjunction with the navigation icons. Search tool will help the user in navigating from an intermediate state arrived using the navigation icons. Upon traversing through all dimensions, the data records in the last dimension are displayed if records are available in the last dimension.
At step 260, a display area may be defined on the user interface to display the relevant data records. The display area also may include a label display area and a data display area wherein data display area will be displaying the data records in the last dimension upon navigating through all dimensions. The label area will be displayed with the name of the data fields that is being navigated, during each navigation state. In case, the data records are not available on the last dimension or navigation path ends some hierarchical or sub node , the data display area will be empty. Alternately, data display area and/or label area could be displayed as “ No Records Found” or “ End of Data Structure”. The data display area will be active only after traversing through all the dimensions in the data structure and if data records are available on the last dimension.
In an embodiment, upon reaching the last dimension, or end of a navigation path using navigation icons, remaining navigation icons in the sequence, which are not yet accessed, could be deactivated automatically as there is no further navigation path defined. Similarly the list of dimensions shown in the dimension selector, which are not yet accessed to reach to the end of a navigation path, could be deactivated.
In an embodiment the number of dimension in the data structure could be dynamic. The data structure could be modified by adding an additional dimension or could be deleted with an existing dimension. In the event of data structure modification, the navigation icons can be added or deleted to suit the new data structure. However if the data structure remains the same and only the contents of the data structure or records get modified, the navigation icons remains unmodified. It is to be noted that the interface may be configured to have different types of icons including touch panel display showing some thumbnail indicating the dimensions, numerical icons signifying the dimension and/or pictorial icons representing the different icons.
The user interface 400 further comprises a display area 420. The display area 420 could include a label area 421 and data display area 426. While navigating the data structure, data fields relating to various stages of navigation could be displayed on the label area 421. The label area 421 could primarily include the data fields or the dimension name and the information or attributes of navigated data fields could be displayed on the label area 421. Corresponding to each dimension there could be a display field in the label area. In an example, the label area 421 includes Hospital name field 422, Department name field 423, Patient name field 424 and Report name field 425. The data display area 426 is the area where the final navigated patient reports will be displayed.
In an embodiment, to access the patient reports the user accesses the navigation icons 412 sequentially. The user accesses the hospital name navigation icon 416 by clicking on the icon 416. The data records i.e the hospital names available in the data structure will be displayed sequentially in the Hospital name field 422 in the label area 421. Initially the first hospital name available in the data structure will be displayed in the Hospital name field 422. Clicking the icon 416 continuously, will allow the user to access the desired hospital name from the data structure. The data display area 426 will be empty and will not be displayed with any records. After selecting the desired hospital, department name icon 417 is accessed and Department name field 423 in the label area 421 will be displayed with the first department corresponding to the selected hospital. The user sequentially navigates through the departments available and selects the desired department. Alternately the user may use the search tool to provide the department name or number so that the desired department can be accessed quickly. Upon selecting the desired department, Patient name icon 418 is accessed to identify the patient and subsequently, Report name icon 419 is accessed to access the reports.
In an embodiment, the navigation icons may be accessed directly to non-linearly traverse through the data structure. Each navigation icon is configured to navigate to a particular dimension represented by that navigation icon. For example, accessing the department name icon 417 will take the user directly to the dimensions corresponding to the departments available. The user will be provided with the information corresponding to first department in the first hospital and then user can linearly or non linearly traverse through the available departments to navigate to the desired department. To navigate directly to a desired department, the user may access the department name icon 417 corresponding to departments and provide additional information about the department using the search tool 412. None of the data records or information regarding the departments will be displayed in the display area 426. Alternately, the user may select the desired dimension from the Dimension selector 415, which displays available dimensions, and navigate directly to the desired dimension.
In an embodiment, navigating from one record in a dimension to a record in another direction could be done sequentially. The user could navigate from one data record to another in a current dimension by traversing through the records in that dimension sequentially and automatically moving to the next record in the upper dimension upon reaching the end of records in the current dimension and then continuing traversal through the current dimension.
In an embodiment, navigating from one record in a dimension to a record in another dimension could be done by selecting desired navigation icons. The user could navigate from one data record to another in a current dimension by traversing through the records in that dimension sequentially and selecting a next upper higher dimension using the navigation icons move to the next record in the upper dimension upon reaching the end of records in the current dimension and then continuing traversal through the current dimension.
In an embodiment, the user may need to start navigation from an intermediate state. Referring to
User interface is provided with forward and backward arrows to navigate in different directions. The data structure defined need not be in the same hierarchy as explained and the navigation icons could be arranged in any order. The icons could be labels that represent the dimensions configured to facilitate multi directional navigation.
The processor 710 may include dedicated hardware, software and/or firmware for performing information processing, or a combination of dedicated hardware and software, or software in combination with a general purpose processor, or a digital signal processor. The memory 720 may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or read-only memory. The display 730 may include the computer monitor or any other display associated with the processor 710. In case of a graphical user interface 740, the interface 740 may be displayed in the display 730. However there could be different external user interfaces such as joystick, mouse, keypad etc available to assist the user in navigating using the graphical user interface 740.
Thus the invention provides method and system for method for navigating a displaying relevant data records from a multi dimensional data structure. The method helps the user to navigate in a dimensional data structure with minimum user interactions. User interface provide a simple and intuitive way to navigate through the data arranged in the different hierarchical level. The technique is easily scalable to multiple dimensions. Further the user interface allows linear and no linear navigation techniques through the data structure. Further user is allowed to choose to skip a whole dimension without having navigated through all the data in the upper level dimensions.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, the terms “computer” and “processor” are used interchangeably herein to refer to either specialized hardware to perform digital signal processing, control, data manipulation, and/or calculations, or a general purpose computer that can be programmed to perform the same functions and/or adapted to interface with external digital signals.
Exemplary embodiments are described above in detail. The assemblies and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each assembly and/or method may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. Further the steps involved in the workflow need not follow the sequence in which there are illustrated in figures and all the steps in the work flow need not be performed necessarily to complete the method. While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840/CHE/2010 | Jun 2010 | IN | national |
