Application State Navigation System for Complex Collaboration History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex applications with opaque histories due to collaboration among multiple individuals over time make it difficult to understand past actions and decisions, and existing systems lack a standard architecture for distributing applications across multiple computers and displays, hindering effective collaboration and data visualization.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system that allows operators to track the history of an application by storing and retrieving action and state records, using a processor to execute programs and display data on coordinated display devices, and a state server to synchronize application processors, enabling a distributed and immersive environment for data-intensive collaboration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex collaboration tools are used over long periods, then application functionality and decision-making capability are improved, but historical transparency and understanding of past actions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidhistorical transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically recording and storing application states, actions, and triggers in a database at the time they occur. This creates a preserved historical record that maintains information availability even as the application evolves and time passes, preventing the natural loss of historical context in complex collaborative environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by enabling users to query and retrieve historical application states and action records. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand past decisions and actions by searching the stored history, thereby restoring historical transparency while the application continues to function complexly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If standard workstation displays are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but data visualization capability and collaborative viewing are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay system simplicityVSAvoiddata visualization area

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data visualization task by distributing it across multiple display devices. Each display shows a specific portion or aspect of the data, allowing the collective viewing area to be expanded beyond a single screen while keeping each individual display device simple and standard

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple display devices to create a unified visualization environment. By combining the output of several displays, the system achieves a large total visualization area that supports comprehensive data presentation and collaborative viewing, overcoming the limitations of single-workstation displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If distributed data gathering systems are used, then data collection capability is improved, but data management and visualization difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata volumeVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a centralized database that receives, stores, and manages data from multiple distributed sources. This intermediary absorbs the complexity of data management, allowing the distributed data gathering to scale up data volume while the database handles the organizational and retrieval operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional workstation architecture is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but collaborative interaction and immersive data exploration are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidcollaborative interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal architecture that can operate both as a distributed system across multiple workstations and as a centralized system. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain implementation simplicity through a unified codebase while enabling enhanced collaborative interaction by distributing the application across multiple devices when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9141937B2System for storage and navigation of application states and interactions

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LTD

AI summary

Complex collaboration or decision support applications perform complex design or planning tasks, often with the input of large groups of people over long periods of time. The combination of time and complexity can often obscure past actions, making it difficult to remember the factors that influenced earlier stages in the planning task. This is especially true if the task involves many people and different people work at different times. The application state navigation system provides an application-independent mechanism that allows operators to walk back through the history of the application in order to better understand (or remember) the application actions that were taken in the past and the triggers for those actions.