Form Output Preview Interface with Hierarchical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of form-based applications face difficulties in determining which forms will be outputted, the number of copies, and avoiding undesired forms when outputting multiple forms, as the output can span many pages and be complex to navigate.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with an output preview interface that displays a navigation interface with forms subgroups, allowing users to view form titles and previews, and includes controls for navigating and customizing output settings, such as expanding/collapsing subgroups, selecting forms, and viewing page numbers to manage output versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple forms are outputted at once, then the output capability is improved, but the complexity of determining which forms will be outputted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the output interface into distinct segments: a preview area showing form thumbnails, a navigation area with tree controls for selecting forms, and a settings area for output configuration. This segmentation allows users to manage multiple forms systematically without being overwhelmed by a single complex interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical navigation dimension using tree controls that allow users to organize and navigate forms by category and subgroup. This adds a structural dimension to the interface, enabling users to manage complex form sets through hierarchical grouping rather than flat lists.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the output spans many pages, then the output flexibility is improved, but the difficulty of verifying the output increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preview function that displays thumbnails and page counts of all forms before actual output. This preliminary visualization allows users to verify the complete output set, including page numbers and form inclusion, before committing to the printing or exporting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides continuous feedback through the preview area showing which forms are selected, how many pages each form contains, and the total output scope. This feedback mechanism allows users to detect and correct errors in form selection before final output.
3Ease of operation
If navigation controls are added to manage forms, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tree controls as an intermediary navigation mechanism between the user and the forms. These controls act as a mediator that organizes forms into hierarchical groups and subgroups, making navigation intuitive while managing the complexity of handling multiple forms through a standardized interaction pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer readable medium includes executable instructions for displaying an output preview for a form-based application by accessing an output preview interface of the form-based application, displaying a navigation interface in the output preview interface, where the navigation interface includes a forms subgroup, and where the forms subgroup includes multiple forms of the form-based application, and displaying a form preview of a form of the forms subgroup.