Clustered Utility Node Interface Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility companies face difficulties in navigating and accessing specific utility nodes within clusters due to limited navigation capabilities in existing user interfaces, often requiring manual zooming and resulting in inaccessible nodes.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that displays a map with icons representing clustered utility nodes, allowing users to select an icon to view a list of associated nodes, enabling navigation and access to individual nodes without manual zooming, and providing detailed information and configuration options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nodes are displayed with a single icon when located at or nearby the same location, then the map interface remains clean and organized, but the ability to select a particular node is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clustered node display into two states: a consolidated icon view for general navigation and a detailed list view for specific node selection. When a user interacts with a clustered icon, the interface segments the information by displaying individual node entries with unique identifiers, allowing precise node selection while maintaining the consolidated view structure for overall map clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional transition to the interface by switching between a 2D map view with clustered icons and a 1D list view with individual node entries. This dimensional change allows users to navigate from the broader spatial context to specific node details without cluttering the map interface, resolving the contradiction between map cleanliness and node accessibility
2Productivity
If manual zooming is required to access individual nodes in a cluster, then the interface maintains simplicity, but navigation time increases and some nodes remain inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-generating and storing list views for all clustered node icons. When a user selects a clustered icon, the corresponding list view is immediately displayed without requiring manual zooming or loading delays, allowing instant access to individual node information and significantly reducing navigation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary list view that mediates between the map interface and individual node details. This list view acts as a bridge, presenting all clustered nodes in a scrollable format that allows users to quickly scan and select specific nodes without the time-consuming process of manual zooming, thereby improving navigation efficiency
3Ease of operation
If a list of clustered nodes is displayed upon icon selection, then access to individual nodes is enabled, but the interface requires additional interaction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the list view to automatically display and update based on user selection of a clustered icon. The interface serves itself by maintaining synchronization between the map view and list view, where selecting a node in the list automatically centers the map on that node's location, eliminating the need for manual map navigation and reducing overall interaction complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for navigating a user interface and for selecting a utility node from within a cluster of utility nodes are described herein. The user interface may display an icon representing the cluster of utility nodes. A selection (e.g., made by a user) of the icon may be received and a list of the utility nodes that are represented by the icon may be displayed. Selection of a particular utility node from the list may be received, and an action may be performed on the selected utility node. The action may include displaying utility information associated with the utility node, zooming in on the utility node, and/or receiving information from an individual with which to configure the utility node.