Hierarchical Similarity Display for Single-Screen Object Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems require individual comparison of information based on similarity, making it difficult to grasp the information comprehensively and simultaneously on a single screen.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that displays reference and comparison objects side by side in a bar shape along the Z-axis, with levels formed in the order of input or similarity, allowing for comprehensive and individual element grasping on a single screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information is displayed as proximity based on similarity, then comprehensive grasp of information based on similarity is improved, but individual comparison becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The information display is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (first level, second level, etc.) where each level represents a different granularity of information. This allows the system to present both comprehensive similarity-based grouping at higher levels and individual element details at lower levels, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive grasp and individual comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension (levels) to the traditional flat display structure. By organizing information across multiple levels where higher levels show comprehensive similarity relationships and lower levels show individual elements, the system enables both comprehensive grasp and individual comparison simultaneously without requiring separate views.
2Ease of operation
If information is listed manually for easy comparison, then individual comparison becomes easy, but comprehensive grasp based on similarity becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The manual listing approach is enhanced by segmenting information into hierarchical levels. Each level maintains clear individual elements for easy comparison while the hierarchical structure itself provides the comprehensive similarity-based organization, allowing both benefits to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the advantages of automated similarity-based organization with manual listing clarity by combining hierarchical level structure (for comprehensive grasp) with clear element presentation at each level (for easy individual comparison).
3Ease of operation
If individual information is referred to one by one, then individual comparison is possible, but comprehensive grasp and simultaneous display on single screen become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting information into hierarchical levels displayed simultaneously on the screen, the system allows users to see multiple levels of information (comprehensive view and individual elements) within the same screen space, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple screens or views.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical level structure adds a dimensional organization that allows comprehensive information and individual elements to be packed efficiently into single screen space, with higher levels providing overview and lower levels providing details without requiring additional screen real estate.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system has input, comparison, and display units. The comparison unit includes a distance calculation unit comparing comparison objects and a reference object input via the input unit, and calculates distance between the comparison objects and reference object. The reference object is configured from multiple reference elements; the comparison object comprises one or more comparison elements. The display unit includes a multiple-level formation unit forming multiple levels along the Z-axis direction, a level display unit displaying each of the reference elements of the reference object in correspondence with the corresponding level, and a correspondence display unit displaying the comparison elements of the comparison object in the corresponding level among the levels formed in the Z-axis direction. The reference object and the comparison objects are displayed side by side in a substantially rod-like shape extending in the Z-axis direction.