Patent Abstract:
A method of processing data includes manipulating a data set to produce initial data results including an individual data value. The data set is compared to a data change function over a period of time to selectively identify trend data. Indicia of the trend data is superimposed on the individual data value so that the information associated with the individual data value representing a relatively short period of time can be understood in the context of a trend over a relatively long period of time.

Full Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to the processing of data to produce data reports. More particularly, this invention relates to a technique for identifying a trend in data that constitutes an exception to a predefined norm and to the incorporation of this information into a data report as an extra dimension of information.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     There are many tools used to analyze data. One such tool identifies variances or exceptions in data. The variances or exceptions may be noted in the displayed data through color-coding (e.g., green indicating above expectations and red indicating below expectations). In view of this use of color-coding, this technique is sometimes referred to as “traffic lighting”. A common refinement to this technique is to allow multiple ranges and colors to be defined by the user.  FIG. 1  illustrates this prior art technique.  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates the display of data along the dimensions “product” and “measures”. The color-coding, or shading in this instance, is based upon the value in each data cell. That is, a different shade is used based upon whether the data cell value is in range, outside of a first range, outside of a second range, etc. This traffic lighting technique allows an individual to quickly identify aberrations in the underlying data.  
         [0004]     While this traffic lighting technique is helpful, it is inherently limited. In particular, the traffic lighting information is limited to alerting an individual with respect to excursions in the underlying displayed data. This prior art technique does not provide information on how the displayed data fits with respect to related data. That is, since the displayed data is a snap shot of data, one does not get a sense of how this snap shot of data relates to previous and subsequent data snap shots. Thus, one cannot quickly identify any underlying trend that the data snap shot might be associated with.  
         [0005]     Trend information of this type can be typically gathered by exploring the data manually to identify trends. However, this approach is time-consuming and is subject to human error.  
         [0006]     In view of the foregoing, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved technique for analyzing and displaying data so that isolated data values can be appreciated in the context of larger trends.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The invention includes a method of processing data. The method includes manipulating a data set to produce initial data results including an individual data value. The data set is compared to a data change function over a period of time to selectively identify trend data. Indicia of the trend data is superimposed on the individual data value so that the information associated with the individual data value representing a relatively short period of time can be understood in the context of a trend over a relatively long period of time.  
         [0008]     The invention also includes a computer readable memory to direct a computer to function in a specified manner. A data manipulation module processes a data set and produces a data report. An exception processor includes a trend analysis module to compare a data set to a predetermined data change function over a specified period of time to selectively identify trend data. The exception processor also includes a presentation module to superimpose indicia corresponding to trend data onto data within the data report.  
         [0009]     The invention provides a technique for supplementing a data report with highlighted exception trend information. Therefore, while an individual studies a data report covering a given time period, the individual can consider trend information for a period of time longer than the given time period. Thus, the supplemented report provides trend information reflective of data that is not otherwise displayed in the data report.  
         [0010]     The invention provides the opportunity to analyze information as percentage magnitude values, thereby simplifying many data analyses. The invention includes a feature to identify trends even when net data changes would not indicate a trend. Advantageously, the invention facilitates a variety of informative output formats to superimpose the trend data on underlying data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.  
       [0011]     The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art technique for highlighting exception information.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a computer configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a multi-dimensional data cube with information that is processed in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates percentage margin information calculated in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates plotted percentage margin trend information for a wine and spirits data example.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates plotted percentage margin trend information for a fruit data example.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a technique for highlighting trend exceptions in a worksheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a technique for highlighting trend exceptions for single worksheet product in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a trend exception specification interface that may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates trend exception highlighting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates data with trend information that is canceled on a net basis and is therefore not reported using prior art techniques.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates reported data that fails to identify trend information.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a trend report in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a forecasting technique utilizing trend information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates forecast based highlighting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates a forecast trend-highlighting interface that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates advanced data visualization techniques incorporating trend information in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
       [0029]     Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates a computer  200  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The computer  200  includes a central processing unit  202  connected to a set of input/output devices  204  via a bus  206 . By way of example, the input/output devices may include a keyboard, mouse, video monitor, flat panel display, printer, and the like.  
         [0031]     Also connected to the system bus  206  is a memory  208 , which stores a set of executable programs. The memory  208  may be primary and/or secondary memory. By way of example, the memory  208  may store an operating system  210  and a database  212 . The hardware and software components of  FIG. 2  discussed up to this point are well known in the art. The invention is directed toward the remaining executable programs that are stored in memory  208 .  
         [0032]     Memory  208  stores a data manipulation module  214 . The data manipulation module  214  is used to produce data reports using known techniques. However, the data manipulation module  214  is configured to operate with an exception processor  216 . In particular, the exception processor  216  identifies trend information and overlays indicia of that trend information into a data report produced by the data manipulation module  214 .  
         [0033]     In one embodiment of the invention, the exception processor  216  includes a graphical user interface  218 . The graphical user interface  218  includes executable code to present a graphic interface to receive instructions with respect to trend analyses that should be performed on data.  
         [0034]     The exception processor  216  also includes a trend analysis module  220 . The trend analysis module  220  identifies trend data  222  surrounding a particular data entry appearing in a data report. The nature of the trend analysis is specified through the graphical user interface  218 , as demonstrated below.  
         [0035]     The exception processor  216  also includes a forecast module  224 . The forecast module  224  is used to generate forecasts of trends, which constitute forecast trend data  226 . The forecast trend data  226  is used to provide an additional form of trend highlighting, as discussed below.  
         [0036]     Finally, the exception processor  216  includes a presentation module  228 . The presentation module  228  coordinates the display of analyzed data. For example, the presentation module  228  presents individual data within a data report and superimposes indicia (e.g., a shading or a color) corresponding to trend data associated with the individual data, as shown below.  
         [0037]     The features of the invention are more fully appreciated in connection with some specific examples.  FIG. 3  illustrates an Online Analytic Processing (OLAP) cube  300  for analyzing four dimensions of information. The invention can be used in connection with OLAP cubes, relational databases, and other aggregated forms of data.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates a report  400  with “Sales”, “Costs”, and “% Margin” information for the underlying data within cube  300 . The “% Margin” entry is a useful way of displaying information on a relative basis and is therefore used in several examples provided herein. This view shows a snapshot of data at a point in time. However, the view gives no context for this snapshot. The tabular form of report  400  does not provide information on trends associated with the data in the report.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates the same data in the form of a plot  500 . More particularly, the plot  500  illustrates data for “Wine and Spirits”, the final entry in the report  400  of  FIG. 4 . The data manipulation module  214  may be used to show the trend for % margin for Wine and Spirits. The data manipulation module  214  also plots a linear regression line  502 . The slope equation  504  for the linear regression line is shown in the plot  500 . The information of  FIG. 5  illustrates that the margin is experiencing a slight increase over time. This is indicated visually by the line, but also by the gradient value 0.0047.  
         [0040]     A similar analysis for the “Fruit” product group of  FIG. 4  shows a significant decline in margin, as illustrated by plot  600  of  FIG. 6 . The downward linear regression line  602  and the negative slope of the slope equation  604  illustrate this decline in margin.  
         [0041]     The plotted data of  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrates interesting trend data that is not reflected in any way in the tabular plot of  FIG. 4 . Therefore, important trend information is not relayed to the individual observing the tabular report of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0042]     The invention is directed toward integrating this trend information into the more general information presented to an end user. The exception processor  216  coordinates this effort. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface  218  is used to generate a window that may be used to invoke trend information.  FIG. 7  corresponds to  FIG. 4 , but the user has selected (e.g., right clicked) the work sheet  400 , causing window  700  to appear. Window  700  provides a global highlight exception option. Alternately, the user may select a single entry, for example “Fruit”, to secure trend data in connection with that entry, as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exception dialog interface  900  that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In general, the dialog interface  900  solicits information for the trend analysis module  220 . In particular, the dialog interface  900  solicits information with respect to comparing underlying data with a predetermined data change function over a specified period of time.  
         [0044]     In the example of  FIG. 9 , the interface  900  includes a window  902  to specify different highlight options.  FIG. 9  illustrates a “Growth Analysis” highlight operation in window  902 . Window  904  allows one to specify a period of time over which the analysis is performed. Naturally, the analysis is performed over a time period longer than the time period associated with the displayed data. The interface  900  also includes radio buttons  906  to select different data patterns. By way of example, one radio button allows for the selection of linear growth, while another radio button allows for the selection of compound growth. A slider  908  allows one to set tolerance values for the analysis.  
         [0045]     The trend analysis module  220  performs an analysis based upon the information received at the dialog interface  900 . By way of example, the trend analysis module  220  uses executable code to perform a regression analysis and generate a regression line slope equation. This type of information, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , provides a different perspective on underlying data values. This information or corresponding indicia may then be superimposed on individual data values. For example,  FIG. 10  illustrates the tabular report of  FIG. 4  coded with indicia of trend data. That is, different shade values are used to reflect different types of trends associated with the data values. For example, the “Fruit” entry now has dark shading, indicating a problem over time. Reviewing the report of  FIG. 4  does not reflect this problem since that report is a snapshot of data. The corresponding report of  FIG. 10  incorporates information over a longer period of time and therefore provides perspective to the values appearing in the report. Observe that this perspective is achieved by superimposing indicia of the trend data over the individual values. These indicia introduce additional dimensions of information, without explicitly displaying that information.  
         [0046]     Preferably, the trend analysis module  220  includes a feature that allows it to identify trends in information, even when a countervailing trend of information produces a net result that suggests that no trend exists.  FIG. 11  illustrates a plot  1100  with an “All products” line  1102  reflecting flat growth. This line masks the fact that there are declining revenues for the “Vegetables” as shown with line  1104  and for “Wine &amp; Spirits” as shown with line  1106 . These declining revenues are being canceled out by strong growth for “Meat” as shown with line  1108 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 12  illustrates tabular data  1200  including a cell  1202  with shading that indicates that there is no problem. Thus, the invention can mask certain trend data and simply report a net trend of no problem. Alternately, the invention can identify trend data and reflect that data in the report even when the cumulative trend represents no problem. This option is shown in  FIG. 13 , where tabular data  1300  includes a cell  1302  with shading that indicates there is a troublesome trend underlying the data value.  
         [0048]      FIG. 2  illustrates that the exception processor  216  may include a forecast module  224 . The forecast module  224  is used to forecast data based upon historical trends and thereby produce forecast trend data. In accordance with the invention, the forecast trend data can then be used to highlight poor forecast performance.  
         [0049]      FIG. 14  illustrates a plot  1400  of actual and budget sales for the “Vegetables” product group for weeks  1  through  30 . Using the forecast module  224 , a curve is fit to the actual data and is used to forecast the next  4  weeks to week  34 , as shown with line  1402 .  FIG. 14  illustrates that the forecast sales will dip below budget between seek  31  and week  32 . This fact is used by the presentation module  228  to superimpose indicia of the forecast trend data into a data report, such as shown in  FIG. 15 . In particular,  FIG. 15  illustrates that both “Fruit” and “Vegetables” are shaded in such a manner as to indicate that they will sell under budget in the future.  
         [0050]      FIG. 16  illustrates an interface  1600  to initiate this forecast-based highlighting option. This exemplary interface  1600  allows the user to choose which dimension members to forecast and compare, and what tolerances should be applied to define an exception. Forecasts are performed along a time dimension previously defined in the data manipulation module  214 .  
         [0051]     The examples up to this point relate to a tabular data output format. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the techniques of the invention can be applied to many different data formats.  FIG. 17  illustrates an example of incorporating trend data into a bar graph  1700 , which in this context is referred to as a vector bar graph. Each vector bar  1702  includes two dimensions of information. The length of the bar, which represents a magnitude value, constitutes the first dimension of information. The shading of the bar, which represents trend data, constitutes the second dimension of information. The supplementing of magnitude data with trend data as disclosed is an important improvement over known data representation techniques. Naturally, this technique can be further extended to other visualization paradigms, including maps, pie charts, scatter plots, and the like.  
         [0052]     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a through understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, the thereby enable other skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6