Hierarchical Usage Tracking in Deep Element Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively identify both direct and indirect usage of data elements within deep element structures, where data elements can have multiple parents, leading to complex modifications and limited query results in applications like Web searches and development tools.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes a usage processing engine to identify direct and indirect usage data elements, along with a user interface that displays these in a hierarchical structure, allowing users to customize their searches and visualize the impact of changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a list format is used to display query results, then the scope of listing is limited to directly using objects, but the ability to show comprehensive usage information is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage information completenessVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a tree view display structure where usage information is nested in hierarchical levels. Direct usage appears at the first level, indirect usage at subsequent levels, allowing comprehensive information display while maintaining organizational clarity. This nesting principle resolves the contradiction by enabling complete usage information to be displayed without overwhelming the user with flat list complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments usage information into distinct categories (direct usage, indirect usage) and displays them as separate expandable nodes in the tree view. This segmentation allows the system to comprehensively show all usage information while managing complexity through structured division, directly addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If modification is made to any particular element, then the element can be updated, but the complex effect on any data structure having a deep element structure cannot be fully assessed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelement modification easeVSAvoidimpact assessment information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying a comprehensive tree view that shows all elements affected by modification of a target element. Before making changes, users can see the complete impact scope including direct and indirect usage, enabling informed decision-making. This feedback resolves the contradiction by providing full impact assessment information while maintaining ease of operation through the intuitive tree interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary analysis and displays the complete usage hierarchy before the user commits to modification. By showing all affected elements in advance, the system enables users to assess impact before acting, resolving the contradiction between ease of modification and comprehensive impact assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a deep element structure is created with multiple parents, then the structure can represent complex relationships, but identifying all usage becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure representation capabilityVSAvoidusage identification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the display by implementing a tree view structure that visually represents multi-parent relationships across different levels. This dimensional transformation converts the complexity of multi-parent relationships into an organized hierarchical visualization, resolving the contradiction by making usage identification easier while preserving the versatile structure representation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7809707B2System and method for identifying element usage in a deep element structure
Publication Date: 2010.10.05 SAP SE
  • US7809707B2 patent drawing
  • US7809707B2 patent drawing
  • US7809707B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for identifying usage of a target data element including both direct and indirect usage, within a data element structure where the target data element may have more than one parent data element. The system includes a usage processing engine configure to identify direct and indirect usage data elements for the target data element within the data element structure and a user interface configured to display the direct and indirect usage data elements for the target element in a hierarchical structure.