Document Relationship Query Method Using Segmented Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document management applications do not effectively display association relationships between documents, limiting user understanding and experience in navigating and searching for related documents.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that display a relationship diagram alongside document content, allowing users to visualize association relationships such as reference or recommendation relationships between documents, enhancing user interaction and search functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If document management application displays only document content, then display simplicity is maintained, but user understanding of document associations is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument association relationshipVSAvoiddisplay content complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into multiple regions: a first display area showing the relationship diagram and a second display area showing document content. This segmentation allows simultaneous presentation of association relationships and document information without overwhelming the user, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and display simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension to document display by adding relationship diagrams that visually represent associations between documents. Instead of merely listing document metadata, the system creates a graphical mapping of document relationships, transforming flat document information into a multi-dimensional visualization that preserves association information while maintaining clarity.

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

2Ease of operation

If keyword search returns document information only, then search functionality is provided, but user understanding of document associations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument retrievalVSAvoidassociation relationship
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The search result display is segmented into relationship diagram information and document content information. When a user performs a keyword search, the system presents both the searched document and its associated documents in a structured layout, enabling users to understand document relationships while maintaining easy access to search results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relationship diagram acts as an intermediary between the search function and the document information. It provides a visual bridge that connects searched documents with related documents, helping users understand associations without complicating the search operation itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If relationship diagram is displayed with document content, then user understanding of associations is improved, but display area requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument association relationshipVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into segmented areas with the relationship diagram occupying a dedicated first display area and document content occupying a second display area. This segmentation allows efficient use of display space by allocating specific regions to different types of information, preventing space waste while ensuring both relationship and content information are visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240231583A9Document relationship query method, search method, apparatus, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.11 BEIJING ZITIAO NETWORK TECH CO LTD
  • US20240231583A9 patent drawing
  • US20240231583A9 patent drawing
  • US20240231583A9 patent drawing

AI summary

A document relationship query method is provided, comprising: determining a first document displayed in the target page; displaying a relationship chart, in a first region of the target page, of the first document and a second document, and displaying the content of the first document in a second region of the target page, the first document and the second document having a first association relationship or a second association relationship. A document search method is provided, comprising: acquiring a first document corresponding to the search request; displaying, in a first region in a page, a relationship chart of the first document and a second document, and displaying first information of the first document and/or second information of the second document in a second region in the page, the first document and the second document have a first association relationship or a second association relationship.