Folder Key Data Structure for Rapid Path Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in navigating and remembering long folder paths in computer systems, leading to cumbersome and time-consuming processes, which waste computational resources and can result in incorrect folder access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a folder key data structure that allows users to assign a shorter, symbolic representation of a folder path, enabling quick navigation and access to desired folders, while also managing permissions and permissions structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate through graphical user interface by clicking through folders, then users can access desired folders, but navigation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces folder keys as intermediary elements that mediate between the user and the actual folder paths. Instead of directly navigating through the folder hierarchy via GUI clicks, users input simplified folder keys that act as mediators to quickly resolve to the corresponding folder paths, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential clicks through multiple folder levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of folder paths in the form of folder keys. These folder keys are abbreviated representations that capture the essential identity of long folder paths without containing the full path information. Users interact with these copied representations rather than the actual lengthy paths, significantly reducing the time and effort required for navigation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If folder paths are made longer to include more sub-folders, then folder organization becomes more detailed, but user memory burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identifying elements from long folder paths and separates them into simplified folder keys. By taking out only the critical components needed to identify a folder while leaving behind the verbose path structure, the system maintains detailed folder organization capabilities while presenting users with memorable, simplified identifiers that reduce cognitive burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the parameter of folder path representation from full hierarchical paths to abbreviated folder keys. This parameter change maintains the underlying detailed folder structure and organization capabilities while changing the user-facing representation to something more memorable and easier to retain in memory.
3Reliability
If users search through multiple sub-folders to find desired folder, then comprehensive search is performed, but computer resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the mapping between folder keys and their corresponding folder paths in a data structure. When a user inputs a folder key, the system has already prepared the resolution mechanism, allowing for immediate direct access to the target folder without needing to search through multiple sub-folders. This preliminary setup eliminates wasteful computational resource consumption while ensuring accurate folder access.
4Loss of information
If full folder paths are displayed to users, then complete path information is provided, but user confusion increases due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete folder path information into two distinct parts: the simplified folder key for user interaction and the full folder path for system processing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete path information internally while presenting users with only the essential, easy-to-comprehend folder key portion, thereby reducing user confusion while preserving information completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for generating folder keys and using folder keys to access folder paths. In an embodiment, a computer system may instantiate a graphical user interface (GUI) to display folder and sub-folder contents as well as a folder key. A user may input a folder key as a representation of the displayed sub-folder of the corresponding folder path. The folder key may include one or more symbols that the computer system may store and associate with the folder path. Using the folder key, the computer system may retrieve a particular sub-folder, manage security or permissions related to folders, and/or facilitate navigation between sub-folders. Using a folder key may aid a user in quickly navigating to a particular sub-folder and may allow a computer system to avoid loading unnecessary intermediate sub-folders as a user navigates to a particular desired sub-folder.