Graphical Layout Node Manipulation for GUI Data Editing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for network structures require users to switch between views for manipulation and editing, leading to usability issues, especially in large systems, as they break the interaction flow and increase user interaction time and latency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method allows users to perform manipulation operations directly on a graphical layout without switching views, using graphical characteristics to represent selections, attribute changes, and connection modifications, enabling intuitive and ergonomic data source specification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users switch between separate views for manipulation and graphical layout, then editing operations can be performed, but interaction flow is broken and user interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manipulation view and graphical layout view into a single integrated view. Users can perform manipulation operations (selection, attribute changes, connection modifications) directly on nodes in the graphical layout without switching between separate views. This integration eliminates view-switching time and maintains continuous interaction flow while preserving full editing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical layout view is enhanced to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays the network structure overview and enables manipulation operations directly. The same view that provides navigational overview also supports editing operations, making it a universal interface that eliminates the need for separate dedicated views.
2Ease of operation
If users switch between separate views for manipulation and graphical layout, then editing operations can be performed, but interaction flow is broken leading to usability issues
Solution Approach 1:
By combining manipulation operations and graphical layout display into a single view, the patent eliminates the harmful effect of broken interaction flow. Users can seamlessly perform editing operations while maintaining overview context, preventing the usability issues that arise from switching between views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing manipulation operations to be performed directly in the graphical layout view without interruption. Users can select nodes, modify attributes, and adjust connections while maintaining their position in the network structure overview, ensuring uninterrupted interaction flow.
3Ease of operation
If users perform manipulation operations in a separate view, then editing can be done, but cognitive effort increases due to need to switch views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces interface complexity by merging multiple views into one integrated graphical layout view. This single view simultaneously provides network structure visualization and manipulation operation capabilities, reducing the cognitive load on users who no longer need to remember which view to switch to for which operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical layout view becomes a universal interface that handles both navigation and manipulation operations. This multi-functional design simplifies the user mental model by eliminating the need to distinguish between separate views for different purposes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various embodiments of systems and methods for manipulation of elements and their attributes in graphical user interfaces are described herein. A graphical layout comprising nodes and connections as a representation of data in a data source is displayed on a user interface. One or more nodes of the graphical layout are rendered to graphically represent manipulation operations performed by a user on one or more nodes of the graphical layout to create a new data source. The manipulation operations comprise at least one of selection of one or more nodes, changing an attribute, and changing connections between the nodes.