Flowchart Navigation via Segmented Display Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flowcharts are complex, information-rich, and difficult to navigate due to multiple hierarchical levels and compound questions, leading to user confusion and inefficiency in decision-making and goal-reaching processes.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with multiple display regions is used to display and navigate flowcharts, limiting node types, character lengths, and logic paths, simplifying the creation, editing, and navigation of streamlined flowcharts by focusing on relevant nodes and logic paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional flowcharts include multiple hierarchical levels with multiple nodes per level to represent complex processes, then the flowchart can capture comprehensive information, but the flowchart becomes difficult to navigate and understand
Solution Approach 1:
The flowchart is divided into multiple hierarchical levels where each level represents a specific depth of the process. Nodes are organized into levels such that parent nodes at one level connect to child nodes at the next level, creating a structured hierarchy that breaks down complex information into manageable segments that are easier to navigate
Solution Approach 2:
A level indicator is introduced as an intermediary element that mediates between the complex multi-level structure and the user. The level indicator visually displays the current hierarchical level, serving as a mediator that helps users orient themselves within the complex flowchart structure without requiring them to mentally track their position through multiple levels
2Device complexity
If nodes present compound questions or represent multiple steps to reduce the number of nodes, then the flowchart structure is simplified, but user confusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each node is designed to represent a single, atomic step or decision point rather than compound questions or multiple steps. This segmentation ensures that each node presents one clear question or action, making it easier for users to understand and respond without confusion about what a single node entails
3Adaptability or versatility
If four or more nodes logically flow from a single node to represent all possible outcomes, then the flowchart captures all decision paths, but it becomes difficult for users to determine which path to take
Solution Approach 1:
The outcomes from any single node are limited to a maximum of three child nodes rather than allowing four or more. This segmentation constraint ensures that users are presented with a manageable number of decision paths at each step, preventing overwhelming choices while still capturing the essential decision branches through the hierarchical level structure
4Loss of information
If the flowchart includes all hierarchical levels displayed simultaneously to show the complete structure, then the full process overview is visible, but the interface becomes cluttered and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The display dynamically adjusts to show only the relevant portion of the flowchart based on the user's current position and the level indicator. Rather than statically displaying all hierarchical levels simultaneously, the interface dynamically focuses on the current level while maintaining context, reducing visual clutter while preserving access to the complete process structure through navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical structure is rendered using vertical spacing to represent different levels, creating a visual dimension that naturally separates parent and child nodes. This dimensional approach to layout helps users perceive the hierarchy without requiring all levels to be displayed in a crowded two-dimensional space simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes are described for creating, editing, and navigating one or more flowcharts. A process includes causing display of a graphical user interface having a plurality of display regions. The plurality of display regions including at least a first, a second, and a third display region. Each display region is for displaying a node of a plurality of nodes in the one or more flowcharts. The plurality of nodes are connected by a plurality of logic paths and the total number of display regions is less than the total number of hierarchical levels in the one or more flowcharts. Additionally, the process includes causing display of a first node in the first display region and a second node in the second display region. A first logic path connects from the first node to the second node.