Expandable Navigation Tree for Data Center Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Navigating a hierarchical navigation tree to find specific networks or components in data centers and external providers is inefficient, as users must manually traverse multiple levels without contextual assistance.

Innovation Solution

A navigation module that displays a graphical user interface with a navigation tree and links, allowing users to select links to expand the tree to specific nodes, thereby revealing multiple hierarchical levels corresponding to the selected entry or node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually traverse through multiple hierarchical levels of the navigation tree, then they can find specific entries or nodes, but the navigation process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidtime to locate specific nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically expanding the navigation tree to the hierarchical level containing the selected entry or node. This pre-positioning of the tree view eliminates the need for users to manually traverse through intermediate levels, directly resolving the time loss issue while maintaining navigation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the navigation tree displays all hierarchical levels at once, then users can see the complete structure, but the interface becomes complex and overwhelming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of hierarchical structureVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation tree is segmented into collapsible and expandable hierarchical levels. Instead of displaying the entire tree structure at once, the system divides it into manageable sections that can be dynamically expanded or collapsed based on user selection, reducing interface complexity while preserving complete hierarchical information when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation tree implements dynamic display behavior where hierarchical levels are automatically expanded or collapsed based on user interactions. The tree transitions from a static full-view structure to a dynamic, adaptive structure that reveals information progressively, maintaining simplicity while ensuring no information is lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If users click on various entries or nodes to navigate, then they can locate specific components, but the process lacks contextual assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-friendly navigationVSAvoidcontextual information about node location

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate visual feedback by automatically expanding the navigation tree to the level containing the selected entry or node. This feedback mechanism informs users of their current location within the hierarchical structure and the relationship between selected items and the overall tree, enhancing ease of operation without losing contextual information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10505820B2User interface with an expandable navigation tree

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 RED HAT ISRAEL

AI summary

A graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided. The GUI may include a navigation tree in a first portion and a link in a second portion. The navigation tree may include multiple nodes. A selection of the link in the section portion may be received. In response to the selection of the link, the navigation tree in the first portion may be expanded to a hierarchical level displaying the node corresponding to the selected link.