Dynamic Data Grouping for Adaptive Directory Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data grouping systems often result in uneven distribution of data entries across groups, leading to lopsided presentations, as groupings are predetermined and hard-coded, failing to adapt to varying data sets or user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic data grouping system that determines optimal groupings based on attributes, using weighting schemes and distance metrics to ensure relatively even distribution of entries across groups, adaptable to changes in data sets and user interface parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If predetermined hard-coded groupings are used, then the user interface structure is simple and stable, but the data distribution across groups becomes uneven and lopsided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic groupings that automatically adjust based on data distribution characteristics. The system calculates optimal grouping configurations using algorithms that consider the actual data patterns, allowing the interface to adapt its structure dynamically rather than relying on fixed predetermined groupings. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining interface stability through automated adaptation rather than manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the grouping parameters (such as group boundaries, number of groups, and distribution thresholds) based on the actual data characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to data distribution, the system achieves both stable interface structure and improved data access efficiency, as the parameters are optimized automatically without requiring interface restructuring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If predetermined alphabetical groupings are used, then the grouping method is simple and consistent, but it fails to adapt to varying data sets and user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service grouping system that automatically analyzes data characteristics and determines optimal groupings without requiring manual configuration or complex user input. The algorithm autonomously adapts to different data sets by detecting patterns and adjusting groupings accordingly, providing adaptability while keeping the user-facing interface simple and the overall system complexity manageable.
3Shape
If even spacing of groupings is used, then the visual presentation is uniform, but some groups may remain empty while others are overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the grouping structure to achieve better data distribution. Instead of enforcing uniform spacing, the system allows group boundaries to be positioned asymmetrically based on data density and distribution patterns. This asymmetric approach ensures that each group contains a reasonable number of entries, preventing both empty groups and overloaded groups while maintaining visual coherence through intelligent positioning rather than rigid uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are utilized to cluster data entries. The data entries may be part of a hierarchical organization or may be categorized based on a set of attributes (e.g., directory of contacts, catalog of multimedia files, digital books). A disclosed method comprises accessing one or more data entries and determining a number of groupings to identify. Individual ones of the data entries are assigned weights. Ranges for individual groupings are determined and the one or more data entries are placed in a grouping based on the assigned weights. The individual groups are presented to a user for selection, where the individual groups are represented by indicia. The groupings may change dynamically based on a change in the one or more of data entries, the display space, a user defined parameter, and/or other factors. A table corresponding to the data entries may be used to determine ranges for the groupings.