Systems and methods for using entity/relationship model data to enhance user interface engine

A method for generating a chart based on entity relationship data, the method comprising:

• selecting an initial entity type for which a chart will be generated;
• determining from a database an entity relationship schema;
• displaying one or more relationship paths of the entity relationship schema associated with the selected initial entity type, wherein each relationship path defines a logical relationship between one type of entity and a different type of entity;
• selecting a relationship path from the displayed entity relationship schema;
• displaying one or more available fields of the entity type that corresponds to the selected relationship path;
• assigning a displayed field to a bindable data target to create a binding instance, wherein each binding instance contains information about the selected relationship path at the time the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, each relationship path is represented by linking to a plurality of relationship path instances of the relationship path, in an order of the relationship path, each relationship path instance representing one link in the relationship path, and when the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, a user action activates
• generating the chart based on the field assigned to the bindable data target by:
• loading entity instances of the initial entity type;
• traversing relationship instances from those entity instances according to the selected relationship path to determine at least one other entity instance;
• loading a data value for the assigned field for the determined at least one other entity instance;
• and
• generating the chart using the loaded data value for a purpose indicated by the bindable data target to which the assigned field is assigned.

A system for generating a chart based on entity relationship data, the system comprising:

• a database storing one or more entity-relationship schema;
• a user interface comprising:
• an explorer area for displaying, and enabling selection of, one or more relationship paths of an entity relationship schema associated with a selected entity type, the entity relationship schema being of the one or more entity relationship schema stored in the database;
• a list area for displaying one or more fields associated with the currently selected relationship path selected from the entity relationship schema;
• and
• a target area for displaying bindable data targets and configured to enable a user to assign one or more fields displayed in the list area to the bindable data targets;
• and
• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor, the program including instructions for receiving an entity type selection made by a user;
• and
• generating and storing in the computer-readable storage medium a binding instance for each bindable data target having one or more fields assigned thereto, the binding instance including a representation of each link on the selected relationship path, each relationship path defining a logical relationship between one type of entity and a different type of entity, wherein each binding instance contains information about the one or more selected relationship paths at the time the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, each relationship path is represented by linking to a plurality of relationship path instances of the relationship path, in an order of the relationship path, each relationship path instance representing one link in the relationship path, and when the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, a user action activates generating the chart based on the fields assigned to the bindable data targets.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program for generating a chart based on entity relationship data, the computer program comprising instructions to:

• obtain from a database data including one or more entity relationship schema;
• render a user interface including an explorer area for displaying, and enabling selection of, one or more relationship paths of an entity relationship schema associated with a selected entity and selected from the one or more entity relationship schema in the database, each relationship path defining a logical relationship between entities of the entity relationship schema, a field area for displaying one or more fields associated with the currently selected relationship path selected from the entity relationship schema, and a target area for displaying bindable data targets and configured to enable a user to assign one or more fields displayed in the field area to the bindable data targets to create a binding instance, wherein each binding instance contains information about the one or more selected relationship paths at the time the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, each relationship path is represented by linking to a plurality of relationship path instances of the relationship path, in an order of the relationship path, each relationship path instance representing one link in the relationship path, and when the one or more available fields are assigned to the bindable data targets, a user action activates generating the chart based on the fields assigned to the bindable data targets;
• retrieve the selected entity relationship schema from the database for displaying on the user interface;
• retrieve user assignment of one or more fields to the bindable data targets;
• and
• generate the chart based on the retrieved user assignment of the one or more fields to the bindable data targets, and to the bindable data targets if selected.