Hierarchical Database Visualization for Vehicle Infotainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for visualizing large databases in vehicles, such as infotainment and navigation systems, are inefficient, requiring users to perform lengthy operations that distract drivers and complicate intuitive access to information.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for hierarchically sorting databases, allowing users to navigate through graphical lists using distinct operating gestures, enabling quick access by changing hierarchy levels and visualizing higher levels differently to facilitate intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sequential scrolling is used to navigate through list entries, then all entries can be accessed, but the time required to reach distant entries becomes very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large database into multiple hierarchy levels (e.g., genre level, artist level, album level, track level). Each level represents a segment of the overall data structure, allowing users to navigate through hierarchical segments rather than scrolling through all entries sequentially. This segmentation enables rapid access to distant entries by jumping between hierarchical levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the data structure, transforming a one-dimensional sequential list into a multi-dimensional hierarchy. Users can navigate not only horizontally through entries at the current level but also vertically through hierarchy levels, adding another dimension to navigation and significantly reducing the time to reach distant entries.
2Loss of information
If detailed information is displayed for all entries, then complete information is available, but the display becomes complex and harder to understand quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying different levels of detail at different hierarchy levels. At higher levels (genre, artist), only summary information is shown, while at lower levels (album, track), more detailed information becomes available. This allows the display to provide complete information when needed while maintaining simplicity at overview levels, enabling quick understanding.
3Ease of operation
If multiple control operations are required to access entries, then precise control is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing control operations that can work at any hierarchy level. The same control mechanisms (touchscreen gestures, buttons, rotary dial) serve multiple purposes: navigating within a level, moving between levels, selecting entries, and accessing details. This universal control approach maintains precision while reducing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device (2) for visualising a hierarchically sortable database (9A; 9B; 9C), in particularly in a vehicle (1). In the method as per the invention, the database (9A; 9B; 9C) is hierarchically sorted according to at least one sorting criterion and a partial quantity of the sorted database of one hierarchical level is displayed as a graphic list (15), the list entries of which are visualised as graphic objects (A - C; B3 - B5; B41 - B42). The partial quantity displayed of the list (15) is modified by a first operating process (G1) such that, as a result of the first operating process (G1), the list entries of the list (15) will align one after another within the selected hierarchy level, and the partial quantity displayed of the sorted database (9A; 9B; 9C) is modified as a result of a second operating process (G2), which differs from the first operating process (G1), such that the hierarchy level is switched and a partial quantity of the sorted database (9A; 9B; 9C) of the hierarchy level to which was switched is displayed as a graphic list (15), the graphic objects displayed (B3 - B5; B41 - B42) of a lower hierarchical level differing from the graphic object (B; B4) of the corresponding upper hierarchical level.