Condensing Hierarchical Data via Node Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise software systems face challenges in simplifying and visualizing large-scale, hierarchical data structures, such as treemaps, which become complex and difficult to interpret due to numerous hierarchy levels and nodes, leading to information overload and inefficient user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for condensing hierarchical data by determining groupings of sibling nodes and removing them from the hierarchy if they can be represented by their parent node, minimizing information loss and optimizing the hierarchy for easier understanding and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If hierarchical data is displayed in full detail with all levels and nodes, then information completeness is improved, but complexity and difficulty of interpretation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments hierarchical data into expandable/collapsible groups and levels. Users can selectively expand only the portions of the hierarchy they need to view, rather than displaying all levels simultaneously. This segmentation allows complete information to be available when needed while keeping the default view simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic hierarchy display where the structure can be expanded or collapsed based on user interaction and information needs. The hierarchy transitions from a static full-display mode to a dynamic mode where only relevant portions are visible at any given time, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining information accessibility.
2Loss of information
If all hierarchy levels and nodes are displayed, then data detail is improved, but user efficiency and interaction speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential or currently relevant portions of hierarchical data for display, while keeping the rest collapsed or hidden. This extraction principle allows users to work with a simplified view that contains sufficient detail for current tasks, improving efficiency while the full detail remains available on demand through expansion operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization and grouping of hierarchical data before display, pre-processing the structure into logical units that can be efficiently navigated. This preliminary action reduces the cognitive load on users and speeds up interaction by presenting data in a pre-optimized format that highlights important relationships without requiring users to mentally parse the entire hierarchy.
3Ease of operation
If hierarchical structure is simplified by removing nodes, then ease of operation is improved, but information completeness may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a nested structure where simplified views are contained within the context of the full hierarchy. Collapsed groups and summarized levels nest the essential information within a compact form, while the complete detailed hierarchy remains nested underneath, accessible through expansion. This nested approach maintains ease of operation at the visible level while preserving information completeness in the underlying structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes at least one processor, and at least one module operable by the at least one processor to receive data representing a hierarchy, wherein the hierarchy comprises at least one set of sibling nodes and a respective parent node, generate a condensed hierarchy by determining a grouping for the at least one set of sibling nodes, determine whether the at least one set of sibling nodes can be represented by the respective parent node, based at least in part on the grouping for the at least one set of sibling nodes, and responsive to determining that the at least one set of sibling nodes can be represented by the respective parent node, remove the at least one set of sibling nodes from the condensed hierarchy. The at least one module may further be operable by the at least one processor to output the condensed hierarchy for display.