Flat-to-Hierarchical Interface Conversion for Supply Chain Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain management software applications present data in flat table formats, making it difficult for users to understand complex data sets and relationships, requiring extensive knowledge or experience.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a primary interface displaying data in flat format and a secondary interface in hierarchical format, allowing users to navigate and interact with data more efficiently by switching between the two, with the secondary interface being initiated from the primary interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If data is displayed in a flat table format, then the interface is simple to implement and matches the database representation, but it becomes difficult for users to understand complex data sets and relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transforms the static flat table display into an interactive tree structure that users can expand and collapse. This dynamic conversion allows the same data to be presented in multiple formats (flat table and hierarchical tree) depending on user needs, maintaining implementation simplicity while dramatically improving user understanding of complex relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the flat data presentation by generating a tree structure that visually represents parent-child relationships. This dimensional transformation converts two-dimensional table data into a multi-level hierarchical view, enabling users to comprehend complex data relationships that are invisible in flat formats
2Reliability
If hierarchy data is displayed in separate flat tables, then the data structure is maintained, but the presentation does not assist users in understanding relationships between data sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flat table data with hierarchical relationship data by generating a tree structure that integrates both perspectives. The tree view combines structural integrity with visual relationship representation, allowing users to see both the data structure and the relationships between data sets simultaneously in a unified interface
Solution Approach 2:
The tree structure acts as an intermediary representation between the raw flat table data and user comprehension. It translates the flat data structure into a hierarchical visual format that naturally conveys relationships, serving as a mediator that preserves data integrity while enhancing understandability
3Ease of operation
If users navigate through flat table interfaces, then data access is straightforward, but productivity decreases due to slower data retrieval and interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of data into a tree structure that pre-establishes hierarchical relationships and navigation paths. This preliminary structuring allows users to quickly locate and navigate to relevant data without manually searching through flat tables, significantly accelerating data retrieval while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive expansion and collapse actions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention generate a primary interface to display data in a flat format. A secondary interface is generated at the request of a user to display the same data in a tree or similar hierarchical format. The secondary interface is initiated from the primary interface. A user selects data in the secondary interface and thereby navigates to the corresponding data in the primary interface. This system improves user productivity by increasing the speed at which a user finds and interacts with stored data in the supply chain management system.