Hierarchical Arc Interface for RAID Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for configuring and managing RAID arrays and NAS servers lack a user-friendly interface for setup and operation, often requiring complex management across different components from different manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface that displays hierarchical information using aligned icons in arc courses, allowing users to select and rotate icons to position them front and center, with sub-hierarchical data displayed co-axially, creating a 3D-like representation for easy navigation and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional management interfaces are used for RAID arrays and NAS servers, then comprehensive control and configuration capabilities are achieved, but user-friendliness and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The management interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels, with each level displaying only relevant components and parameters for that specific level. This allows users to access comprehensive control capabilities while only seeing simplified, relevant information at any given time, improving ease of operation without sacrificing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a traditional flat 2D layout to a hierarchical 3D-like structure with multiple levels. This dimensional change allows comprehensive configuration capabilities to be organized in layers, where users can navigate through levels to access detailed controls while maintaining a simple overview at each level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple management interfaces from different manufacturers are used, then compatibility with various RAID drives and NAS servers is achieved, but setup complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The management interface is designed as a universal multi-functional system that can adapt to different RAID drives and NAS servers from various manufacturers. The hierarchical structure provides standardized access methods while supporting diverse underlying components, achieving both adaptability and simplified operation through a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical management interface acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the diverse RAID/NAS components. This intermediate layer translates various manufacturer-specific interfaces and protocols into a unified, user-friendly hierarchical structure, enabling compatibility without exposing users to underlying complexity.
3Loss of information
If detailed hierarchical information is displayed simultaneously, then complete system visibility is achieved, but information overload and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
System information is segmented into hierarchical levels, with each level displaying only the subset of information relevant to that level. This segmentation ensures complete system visibility is maintained across all levels while each individual level remains simple and non-overwhelming, preventing information overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adjusts the amount of information displayed based on the user's current hierarchical level and selection. As users navigate through different levels and select specific components, the interface dynamically shows or hides relevant information, maintaining optimal information density and preventing confusion while preserving complete system visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of displaying hierarchical information in a user interface includes displaying a first plurality of icons aligned in a first arc course on a display device, selecting one of the first plurality of icons using a user input device, rotating the first plurality of icons to position the selected one of the first plurality of icons to a front position of the first arc course in response to the selecting to define a first selection indicator and displaying a second plurality of icons aligned along a second-level arc course, the second-level arc course displayed adjacent to and positioned co-axial with the first arc course, and the second plurality of icons representing sub-hierarchical data for the first selection indicator.