Dynamic Product Structure Creation via GUI Hierarchy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating product structures require users to define each level sequentially, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when dealing with complex items like cars composed of engines, drive trains, and transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to dynamically create product structures by allowing users to input and manipulate product items, creating relationships such as parent-child and peer relationships, and using placeholders to facilitate the generation of product structures based on user input, enabling rapid construction of product hierarchies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If users define each level of product structure sequentially one at a time, then the product structure can be created with proper hierarchy, but the time required for creation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating intermediate product levels and creating parent-child relationships between product items without requiring users to manually define each level sequentially. The processor automatically analyzes the flat list of product items and constructs the hierarchical structure in advance, saving significant time while maintaining proper hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the product structure creation process into two distinct phases: (1) automatic bulk creation of hierarchical structure from flat product lists by the processor, and (2) manual refinement and adjustment by users through the graphical interface. This segmentation allows the time-consuming automatic generation to occur without user intervention, while users focus only on necessary adjustments.
2Reliability
If users manually add items and define relationships at each level, then accurate parent-child and peer relationships are established, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing flat lists of product items and generating hierarchical product structures with correct parent-child and peer relationships without requiring manual user input for each relationship. The processor autonomously determines the hierarchy based on the provided product lists, ensuring accuracy while simplifying user operations to only necessary adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary relationship establishment by automatically creating parent-child and peer relationships between product items before user review. This preliminary action ensures accurate relationships are established based on systematic analysis, while users can later refine these relationships through the graphical interface if needed.
3Productivity
If a flat list of product items is converted to hierarchical structure automatically, then structure creation speed increases, but precision in defining relationships may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the relationship definition process into automatic generation phase (high speed, processor-based) and precision refinement phase (high accuracy, user-based). The processor quickly converts flat lists to hierarchical structures with inferred relationships, then users can review and precisely adjust relationships through the graphical interface, combining speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by allowing users to review automatically generated product structures and relationships through the graphical user interface, and make precise adjustments as needed. This feedback loop ensures that while automatic generation provides speed, user verification and adjustment maintain or improve relationship definition precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for dynamic creation of product structure using a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A method for dynamic creation of products structures may include displaying information specifying a set of product items using the GUI. Input can be received via the GUI. The input may be indicative of one or more product levels within a product structure. A user may indent or otherwise manipulate the set of product items into one or more product levels. A product structure can then be generated based on the one or more product levels. In some embodiments, display of the set of product items can be updated to reflect the product structure.