Hierarchical Data Table Transformation for Compact Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic product information display systems face challenges in presenting hierarchical data effectively due to limited screen space and inflexibility in displaying complex product information, especially when dealing with diverse types of products that have varying data structures and media formats.

Innovation Solution

An electronic product information display system that uses a transformation engine to convert hierarchical datasets into a table structure, allowing for dynamic column creation based on unique parameters and hierarchical levels, enabling flexible and condensed presentation of product information on mobile devices and electronic labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hierarchical data structures are used to store product information, then data organization and retrieval are improved, but the ability to present complete information on limited display screens deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidinformation completeness on display
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The hierarchical dataset is divided into multiple hierarchy levels (e.g., category, subcategory, product details). Each level is represented by a separate row in the table structure, allowing the display to show multiple levels of hierarchy simultaneously without overwhelming the limited screen space. This segmentation enables progressive disclosure of information while maintaining data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the traditional tree-structured hierarchical data into a tabular format with an additional dimension - the hierarchy level indicator column. This extra dimension allows the system to represent multi-level hierarchical relationships in a two-dimensional table layout that fits within limited display constraints while preserving the complete topological information of the original hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If more columns are created to display all hierarchical data items, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidtable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The table structure uses a universal row-based design where each row represents a hierarchy level and can accommodate multiple data items from different categories at that level. This multi-functional row structure eliminates the need for creating separate columns for each hierarchical level, reducing table complexity while maintaining the ability to display complete hierarchical information across multiple rows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional electronic labels are used, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to display complex product information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinformation display capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines which hierarchy levels to display based on the available screen space, user interaction, and data complexity. The transformation engine can adaptively select and prioritize certain hierarchy levels for display while omitting less critical ones, allowing the display to show complex product information when needed while conserving energy during normal operation. This dynamic approach enables traditional low-power electronic labels to handle complex information requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2887240B1Electronic product information display system
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 SAP SE
  • EP2887240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2887240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2887240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic product information display system (500) for compact presentation of hierarchical data (514, 590) by transforming the hierarchical data into a table structure (515). In the table structure, each of at least two of multiple hierarchy levels of the hierarchical data is represented as a level indication row (202.A, 202.B, 202.C). Each unique parameter contained in one of the data items which belong to a hierarchical level having a maximum number of data items with unique parameters is represented as a column (212-220) of the table structure. The table structure includes a level indication area (202). The level indication area includes the level indication rows (202.A, 202.8, 202.C). Each of the level indication rows includes a parameter label for each column of said level indication row.