Graphical Data Navigator with Adaptive Icon Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional database systems limit user access and navigation of data, requiring inefficient queries and external consultants for restructuring, leading to costly and time-consuming data access issues, especially in large ERP systems with rigid database designs.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface adapted to depict data via icons representing objects and relationships, with a learning module that monitors user behavior to adjust the display and suggest navigations based on frequency and importance, allowing users to customize data visibility and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional database designs are used, then data storage structure is maintained, but user access efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access efficiencyVSAvoiddata navigation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms traditional flat database navigation into a multi-dimensional graphical interface where data objects are displayed as icons with visual connections. Users can navigate through data relationships spatially rather than through rigid database queries, adding a visual dimension to data access that improves efficiency without altering the underlying database structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary layer between the user and the database. This interface translates user-friendly visual navigation into database queries automatically, allowing users to access data efficiently without needing to understand database structure or write complex queries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If database structure is modified to improve access, then data access efficiency improves, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoiddatabase structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the navigation functionality from the database structure itself. The graphical interface with icons and visual connections is segmented as a distinct layer that sits above the database, allowing efficient data access without modifying the database schema or requiring complex restructuring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing the graphical user interface as an intermediary, the system avoids the need to modify the database structure. The intermediary handles all navigation and query translation, keeping the database simple while providing efficient access paths through the visual interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If external consultants are hired to restructure database, then data access issues are resolved, but cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access easeVSAvoidtime for database restructuring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to create their own custom navigation paths and graphical representations of data relationships without external assistance. Users can drag and drop icons, create connections, and build personalized navigation structures, eliminating the need to hire consultants for database restructuring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical interface is dynamically configurable by users at any time. Navigation paths, icon arrangements, and connection visualizations can be modified on-the-fly to match changing business needs, providing flexible adaptation without time-consuming restructure projects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If fixed database design is used, then database stability is maintained, but adaptability to changing needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access adaptabilityVSAvoiddatabase design stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments adaptability from the database core by providing configurable graphical navigation layers. These layers can be customized and reconfigured independently without touching the stable database structure, allowing adaptability while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface provides dynamic adaptability through user-configurable navigation paths and visual representations. While the underlying database remains stable and fixed, the interface layer adapts to changing user needs and business requirements through flexible customization options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8655880B2Graphical information navigator

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

Embodiments facilitate graphical navigation of data. In a specific embodiment, the system includes a graphical user interface that is adapted to graphically depict data via one or more displayed icons. The graphical user interface is further adapted to enable a user to cause the display of a first icon and one or more additional icons associated therewith by selection of the first icon. A learning module is adapted to monitor use of the graphical user interface and to adjust behavior of the graphical user interface in response to learned information obtained from monitoring the use of the graphical user interface. The system may be specifically adapted to facilitate user navigation of data that is maintained by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.