Graph Expansion Mini-View for Complex IT Service Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex IT service models, represented as large directed acyclic graphs, pose challenges in visualization and navigation due to their size and complexity, making it difficult for users to efficiently view and interact with the interconnected components and sub-nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provide a concise, interactive mini-view of a service model graph, allowing users to preview and interact with nodes by positioning a cursor over mouseover targets, enabling the display of related nodes above or below a collapsed node without requiring extensive scrolling or manual expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complex user interface components are used to provide comprehensive data about service model elements, then information availability is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service model graph into collapsible hierarchical groups and individual nodes. Users can collapse entire branches of the graph to reduce visual complexity while maintaining the ability to expand and view detailed information when needed. This segmentation allows comprehensive data to be available structurally without overwhelming the user interface simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to information display through progressive expansion. Instead of displaying all information at once (spatial dimension only), the interface allows users to expand nodes progressively to reveal information over time. This dimensional change from purely spatial to temporal-spatial display resolves the contradiction between information availability and interface complexity.
2Loss of information
If the complete service model graph is displayed to show all interconnected components, then comprehensive visibility is improved, but navigation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service model graph is segmented into hierarchical groups and collapsible nodes. Users can collapse entire branches to focus on specific areas of interest, reducing navigation complexity. The segmentation maintains comprehensive visibility structurally while allowing selective expansion to improve ease of navigation and interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic display characteristics where nodes and branches can be expanded and collapsed based on user interaction. This dynamic behavior allows the graph to adapt its level of detail, providing comprehensive visibility when needed while simplifying navigation by hiding irrelevant portions, thus resolving the contradiction between comprehensive visibility and navigation ease.
3Measurement precision
If manual expansion of sub-branches is required to view detailed content, then data accuracy is improved, but interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a selection mechanism that allows users to pre-select multiple nodes or entire branches for expansion. Instead of requiring sequential manual expansion of each node, users can select multiple targets in advance and trigger a bulk expansion operation, significantly reducing interaction time while maintaining the ability to view accurate detailed data when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the service model graph in a draggable window or panel. This copy allows users to view and interact with detailed node information without navigating through the entire hierarchical structure step-by-step. The copying mechanism preserves data accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required to access and analyze specific portions of the graph.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical representation of a service model provides a full view of a portion of the graphical representation. A sub graph view may be displayed for nodes of the graphical representation of the service model that are associated with a selected node, including nodes that may not be visible in the full view. The sub graph view may be interactive, providing additional information regarding the nodes displayed in the sub graph view, and allowing making nodes in the sub graph view visible or invisible in the full view. Information may be displayed in the sub graph view about the status of the components being modeled by the service model corresponding to nodes displayed in the sub graph view.