Dynamic Hierarchical Navigation for Storage Management Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex storage systems require efficient navigation tools to allow users to access relevant information without learning and navigating the context-sensitive hierarchy, which can be cumbersome due to vendor-specific perspectives and logical vs. physical categorizations.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic navigation system that receives user-defined navigation preferences, updates a mapping data structure to reflect hierarchical relationships, and presents attributes of storage objects on a navigation screen, enabling customizable interactions within the storage management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a detailed hierarchical structure is implemented for storage management, then information organization and categorization are improved, but navigation complexity and user learning curve increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a navigation object as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex storage hierarchy. This navigation object provides simplified navigation paths that map to underlying hierarchical structures without exposing the full complexity. The navigation object acts as a mediator that translates user-friendly navigation requests into hierarchical traversal operations, thereby maintaining information organization while reducing navigation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex navigation task into smaller, manageable components by creating distinct navigation objects for different storage contexts. Each navigation object represents a specific segment of the hierarchy and provides localized navigation capabilities. This segmentation allows users to navigate through complex structures step-by-step without being overwhelmed by the entire hierarchy at once.
2Reliability
If vendor-specific hierarchical perspectives are maintained, then vendor-specific storage features are preserved, but cross-vendor compatibility and user adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal navigation object that can function across different vendor-specific storage hierarchies. The navigation object is designed to be vendor-agnostic while maintaining the ability to adapt to various hierarchical structures. It provides a common interface for navigation that works across multiple vendor perspectives, thereby achieving cross-vendor compatibility without losing vendor-specific features through the use of vendor-specific property objects when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in the navigation object based on the detected vendor hierarchy type. The system can adjust its navigation parameters and mapping relationships to match different vendor-specific structures while maintaining a consistent user interface. This allows the same navigation object to adapt to various vendor perspectives by changing its internal parameters rather than requiring vendor-specific implementations.
3Measurement precision
If context-sensitive navigation is implemented, then navigation accuracy to relevant information is improved, but navigation flexibility and user autonomy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic navigation object that can adapt its behavior based on user actions and context. The navigation object transitions between different states and modes, allowing it to provide context-sensitive guidance when needed while maintaining user flexibility. It dynamically adjusts its level of intervention based on whether the user needs assistance or wants to explore independently, thereby balancing navigation accuracy with user autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation object incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user navigation patterns and provide contextual responses. When the system detects that a user needs guidance, it provides context-sensitive suggestions and hints. The feedback loop allows the system to adjust its level of context-sensitivity based on user responses, maintaining accuracy while preserving flexibility by only providing guidance when actually needed rather than enforcing rigid navigation paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and machine-readable medium are disclosed for creating and providing dynamic hierarchical navigation schemes in storage management systems. A mapping data structure is maintained to store hierarchical relationship mapping within a storage management system, allowing users to customize their interactions with the storage system. The method, includes receiving a user-defined navigation preference to view an attribute of a second storage object from a navigation screen defined for a first storage object; updating a mapping data structure for storing a hierarchical relationship of a second storage object, based on the user-defined navigation preference; and presenting the attribute of the second storage object at the navigation screen for the first storage object.