Non-Destructive Hierarchical Tree Filter for Data Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hierarchical data representation, traditional filtering methods destroy the visual hierarchy by excluding ancestor rows, leading to confusion in the user's understanding of the filtered data structure.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive hierarchical tree filter is implemented, which receives user-specified criteria, filters table rows, identifies ancestor rows, and generates a table view that maintains the hierarchical relationships while highlighting filtered rows, thereby preserving the visual hierarchy and excluding non-filtered rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional filtering methods are used to filter table rows, then filtering efficiency is improved, but the visual hierarchy is destroyed by excluding ancestor rows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the hierarchical table structure that preserves ancestor rows for display purposes while maintaining the filtered result set for data operations. The ancestor rows are rendered in a disabled or dimmed state to indicate they are part of the hierarchical structure but not part of the filtered results, thus copying the visual hierarchy without compromising filtering efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the table rows into two distinct categories: filtered rows (matching the criteria) and ancestor rows (providing hierarchical context). This segmentation allows the system to apply different rendering rules to each segment - filtered rows are fully interactive and visible, while ancestor rows are displayed in a non-interactive, dimmed state, thereby preserving visual hierarchy without interfering with filtering performance.
2Loss of information
If ancestor rows are excluded from the filtered table view, then data clarity is improved, but user understanding of the filtered data structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color or intensity changes to ancestor rows, rendering them in a dimmed or grayed-out state compared to filtered rows. This visual distinction allows users to immediately recognize which rows are part of the filtered result set while still perceiving the hierarchical relationships through the preserved structural context, thus maintaining both data clarity and structural understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ancestor rows as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between filtered data and hierarchical structure. These intermediary rows provide contextual information about the data's position in the hierarchy without competing for attention with the filtered results, allowing users to understand both the filtered data and its structural context simultaneously.
3Quantity of substance
If all rows are displayed in the filtered table, then completeness of information is improved, but the ability to identify filtered rows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the table - filtered rows receive full visual emphasis with normal styling and interactivity, while ancestor rows receive reduced visual emphasis through dimming or graying out. This local differentiation allows all rows to be present in the display (maintaining completeness) while making it immediately obvious which rows are the filtered results (improving identification precision).
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for filtering certain rows of a table while at the same time maintaining rows illustrating the ancestry of the filtered rows. For example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: receiving user-specified filtering criteria from a client comprising a value or range of values for filtering the rows of a table; filtering the table rows as indicated by the user-specified filtering criteria to generate a set of filtered rows; and generating a table containing the filtered rows and other rows which are ancestor rows to the filtered rows, notwithstanding the fact that one or more of the ancestor rows are not part of the set of filtered rows based on the user-specified filtering criteria, and excluding all other rows from the table.