Job Element Display Layout for Visualizing Associated Tasks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems face challenges in facilitating user recognition of job elements associated with a selected job element, as they often display associated job elements with the same form, making it difficult to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant elements.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that displays job elements in different forms based on their association with a selected element, using a first and second display area to differentiate between already-displayed and non-displayed job elements, and assigned and unassigned job elements, with emphasis displays and altered forms to enhance visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all job elements are displayed with the same form, then the display is simple and uniform, but the user cannot easily recognize which job elements are associated with the selected job element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser recognition of associated job elementsVSAvoiddisplay form differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display form of job elements based on their association status with the selected job element. Specifically, associated job elements are displayed with emphasis (e.g., highlighted background, different color, or bold text) while non-associated job elements maintain the standard display form. This localized differentiation enables users to quickly identify relevant job elements without complicating the overall display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes as a visual indicator to distinguish associated job elements from non-associated ones. When a job element is selected, its associated job elements are displayed with different colors or background shading, creating an immediate visual distinction that helps users recognize relationships between job elements without requiring additional textual information or complex interface elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If only already-displayed associated job elements are highlighted, then the current display is maintained, but non-displayed associated job elements remain invisible to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of all associated job elementsVSAvoiddisplay area management
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the visibility issue by introducing a second display area that is spatially separated from the first display area. When a job element is selected, associated job elements that are not currently displayed in the first area are automatically displayed in the second area with emphasis. This dimensional separation allows the system to maintain both the original display content and provide additional contextual information without overlapping or cluttering the primary view.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display into two distinct areas: the first display area for primary job element display and the second display area for showing associated job elements. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each display region, enabling the system to present comprehensive job element relationships without overwhelming the user in a single crowded interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If multiple display areas are used to show all associated job elements, then user recognition is improved, but the display layout becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser understanding of job relationshipsVSAvoiddisplay area structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic display area management where the second display area is not always visible but is activated on-demand when a job element is selected. The system dynamically adjusts the display configuration: when no job is selected, only the first display area is active; when a job is selected, the second display area appears to show associated job elements. This dynamic behavior simplifies the interface when not in use while providing comprehensive information when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the display of associated job elements from the primary display area and places them in a separate second display area. This extraction allows the primary display to remain focused on the main job elements while the extracted associated elements are presented in a dedicated secondary space, reducing visual clutter and improving overall layout organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4700560A1Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4700560A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700560A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700560A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system includes a processor configured to: display, in a first display area on a display, multiple job elements representing details of jobs; associate the job elements with each other; and when a job element is selected, display an already-displayed job element, which is associated with the selected job element and which is currently displayed in the first display area, with a different display form than other job elements not associated with the selected job element, and display a non-displayed job element, which is associated with the selected job element and which is not currently displayed in the first display area, in a second display area on the display.