Object Assignment Interface with Hierarchical Folder Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex application systems, such as ERP systems, face difficulties in creating and managing object assignments across hierarchies due to a large number of object types and their relationships, leading to user inconvenience in identifying the correct receiver objects for assignments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that display indicator symbols for folder objects in a second hierarchy, allowing users to select folder objects to automatically display assignment symbols between the first and second hierarchies, reducing manual data entry by enabling the entry of assignments through selecting folder objects, and providing two assignment entry modes: persistent and non-persistent, where in the persistent mode, dependent edges are created automatically, and in the non-persistent mode, independent edges can be manually entered and deleted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional user interface models are used to display all possible receiver objects in a flat list, then users can identify any receiver object, but the interface becomes difficult to use when the number of object types and relationships is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flat list of receiver objects into hierarchical groups based on object types and relationships. Instead of displaying all objects in a single undifferentiated list, the interface organizes them into nested hierarchies that reflect the underlying data structure, making it easier for users to locate specific receiver objects within manageable subsets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds hierarchical dimensions to the object display structure. Rather than a one-dimensional flat list, objects are arranged in multi-dimensional hierarchies with multiple levels of grouping and nesting, allowing users to navigate through organized categories to find receiver objects more efficiently.
2Productivity
If users manually enter each individual assignment in complex systems, then precise control over assignments is achieved, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assignment operations into a single action. When a user creates or modifies an assignment between sender and receiver objects, the system automatically propagates this assignment to all related objects within the hierarchical structure, eliminating the need to manually enter the same assignment multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-organizing the hierarchical relationships and dependencies between objects. When an assignment is entered, the system has already prepared the structure for automatic propagation, enabling rapid bulk assignment entry without requiring users to manually configure each individual relationship.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the system displays detailed hierarchical structures to help users navigate objects, then object location is improved, but the interface becomes more complex and harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of hierarchical detail in different regions of the interface. The sender object side displays detailed hierarchical structures to facilitate precise selection, while the receiver object side provides a simplified view that adapts based on the selected sender, showing only relevant receiver objects rather than the entire hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the interface structure based on user interactions. As users select sender objects at different hierarchical levels, the receiver object display dynamically adjusts to show only the relevant subset of objects, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to access the full hierarchy when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for entering object assignments. In one implementation, a system is provided that comprises means for storing first and second object hierarchies, the second object hierarchy including a plurality of objects and at least one folder object being the root of a sub-hierarchy of objects, and each object of the first and second object hierarchies having an object type of a pre-defined set of object types. The system may further comprise a rule base for storage of object types and associated sub-sets, means for displaying the object hierarchies on a graphical user interface which enables a user's selection of the first object from the first object hierarchy and displays an indicator for the at least one folder object if the sub-hierarchy of the folder object contains at least one object having an object type of the sub-set associated with the first object and, in response, further displays an assignment symbol between the first object and the folder object and/or the at least one object of the sub-hierarchy.