Interactive UML Diagram Tool for Dynamic Branch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagram drawing tools render UML diagrams as static documents, making complex diagrams cluttered and unfriendly to users, lacking real-time interaction capabilities that would allow for modular and intuitive presentation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a diagramming tool that allows users to interact with diagrams in real-time, dynamically updating the presentation by identifying modular sections within the script, applying default values, and providing controls for users to redefine conditions and values, resulting in a clearer and more modular diagram display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the diagram includes all components and conditions, then the diagram is complete, but the diagram becomes cluttered and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagram into multiple alternative presentations based on different condition values. Each presentation shows only the relevant components and flows for a specific condition scenario, dividing the complete diagram into manageable segments that can be selectively displayed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the diagram dynamic by allowing users to interactively change condition values, which automatically updates the diagram to show different alternative presentations. This transforms a static complete diagram into a dynamic system that adapts its complexity based on user needs.
2Ease of operation
If the diagram is simplified by removing conditions, then the diagram is clearer, but the diagram loses completeness and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent restores accuracy to simplified diagrams by making them dynamic. Users can interactively adjust condition values to switch between different alternative presentations, ensuring that the diagram always accurately represents the system under the currently selected conditions while maintaining clarity through selective simplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes (condition values) to control which alternative presentation is displayed. By changing the parameter values of conditions, the system transforms the diagram between different states of completeness and clarity, allowing users to optimize the balance based on their current needs.
3Ease of operation
If the diagram is made interactive with user controls, then the user experience is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control mechanism that handles multiple conditions and alternative presentations through a unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same interaction paradigm to manage complex diagram transformations without proportionally increasing interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback when users interact with condition controls, automatically updating the diagram to reflect the selected alternative presentation. This feedback mechanism simplifies the user experience by making the system's response predictable and intuitive, despite the underlying complexity of managing multiple diagram states.
4Loss of information
If all alternative presentations are shown simultaneously, then all information is available, but the diagram becomes cluttered and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete information into distinct alternative presentations, each representing a specific condition scenario. Users can access all information by navigating between segments rather than viewing them all simultaneously, maintaining readability while ensuring complete information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary organization of information into condition-based alternative presentations before user interaction. This pre-segmentation allows users to access specific information subsets as needed without being overwhelmed by the complete set of alternatives displayed at once.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an improvement over the existing UML and non UML script based diagram drawing tools to show an optimal and reduced initial presentation of the diagram, to provide the user with the controls to both view and re-define conditions of branches and their list of possible values in real time and to update the diagram with different versions corresponding to the values that the user optionally chooses for these conditions.