US Patent 10896297 Identifying intent in visual analytical conversations

A method uses natural language processing for visual analysis of a dataset by a computer. The computer displays a data visualization based on a dataset retrieved from a database using a first set of database queries. The computer receives user input (e.g., keyboard or voice) to specify a natural language command related to the displayed data visualization. Based on the displayed data visualization, the computer extracts one or more cue phrases from the natural language command. The computer computes analytical intent (e.g., visualization state intent and/or transitional intent) of the user based on the one or more cue phrases. The computer then derives visualization states based on the analytical intent. The computer subsequently computes one or more analytical functions associated with the visualization states, thereby creating one or more functional phrases. The computer then updates the data visualization based on the one or more functional phrases.