Braided Column Table Layout for Heterogeneous Search Result Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying search results in digital computer systems face challenges when dealing with heterogeneous value formats, leading to non-optimal presentation that obstructs legibility due to varying attribute widths and heights, particularly for values requiring large area and low aspect ratio visualizations.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that uses a table configuration with regular and braided columns to display search results, where regular cells span one row and braided cells span multiple rows, optimizing the presentation by aligning attribute values and providing a clear linear ordering, thus guiding user attention and improving data visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional tabular forms are used to display search results, then the presentation is simple and structured, but the legibility deteriorates when dealing with heterogeneous value formats requiring large area and low aspect ratio visualizations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional uniform table structure into two distinct cell types: regular cells for standard data and braided cells for heterogeneous value formats. This segmentation allows each cell type to be optimized for its specific purpose, maintaining the simplicity of tabular structure while improving legibility for diverse data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different visual and structural properties to different parts of the table. Braided cells are specifically designed with expanded area and low aspect ratio characteristics to accommodate visualizations that require more space, while regular cells maintain the traditional compact format. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction by preserving simplicity where needed while enhancing legibility where required.
2Area of stationary object
If row height is increased to accommodate large area visualizations, then the visualization quality improves, but the overall table density and information capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the table area into regular cells with standard row heights and braided cells with expanded area. This segmentation allows large area visualizations to be accommodated in specific locations without increasing the height of the entire table, thus maintaining information density in other rows while providing sufficient space for visualizations where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the area-density contradiction by transitioning from a uniform two-dimensional table structure to a differentiated structure where braided cells occupy horizontal space more efficiently. By allowing braided cells to extend across multiple columns while maintaining appropriate row height, the patent provides large area for visualization without sacrificing the information capacity of the overall table.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heterogeneous value formats are displayed in uniform cells, then the table structure remains consistent, but the visual presentation and user comprehension deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating braided cells with specific visual characteristics that differ from regular cells. These braided cells are designed to accommodate heterogeneous value formats with appropriate spacing, sizing, and layout, while the overall table structure maintains its consistency through the regular grid framework. This allows the table to remain structurally stable while improving visual presentation and user comprehension through localized adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the parameters of specific cells (braided cells) to accommodate heterogeneous data formats. Braided cells have modified parameters including expanded area, adjusted aspect ratio, and customized internal layout, while the overall table maintains its structural parameters. This selective parameter change allows consistent structure to coexist with improved visual presentation for diverse data types.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for displaying a search result in a user interface comprising a sequence of K table rows, a sequence of first type columns (named regular columns) and a sequence of B second type columns (named braided columns), the search result comprising values of attributes. The method includes creating a structure that includes a sequence table rows and a sequence of regular columns and a sequence of braided columns. The method selects a row of the sequence of rows and a braided column of the braided columns for displaying the search result. In each regular column a regular cell that is included in the selected row may be defined. From a braided column a braided cell may be defined that includes in the selected row and subsequent B−1 rows. The attributes values are displayed in the defined regular and braided cells.