Object-Based Navigation for Enterprise Portal Information Overload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex databases in enterprise systems overwhelm users with excessive information and options, necessitating an intelligent user interface to facilitate easier navigation and information retrieval.

Innovation Solution

Object-based navigation, which allows users to select business objects to activate predefined operations, with prioritization based on user roles, enabling the launch of appropriate portal snippets for querying and presenting information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If complex databases with multiple data sources are integrated into enterprise portals, then information availability and functionality are improved, but user interface complexity and information overload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intelligent user interface that acts as an intermediary between users and complex databases. This interface automatically navigates through multiple data sources, applies filters, and presents synthesized information without exposing users to underlying system complexity. The intermediary layer manages the complexity of integrating diverse data sources while maintaining simple user interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intelligent user interface implements feedback mechanisms that monitor user interactions and automatically adjust information presentation. By analyzing user behavior patterns, the system provides relevant information proactively and reduces information overload by filtering out unnecessary data, thus resolving the contradiction between providing comprehensive information and maintaining interface simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If more functionalities and information are provided to users, then system capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to overwhelming commands and options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intelligent user interface employs self-service mechanisms where the system automatically performs navigation, filtering, and information synthesis tasks without requiring users to manually manage complex options. The interface adapts to user needs autonomously, providing relevant information and commands contextually, thus maintaining ease of operation while delivering comprehensive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing data from multiple sources, organizing information according to user roles and preferences before presentation. This advance preparation eliminates the need for users to navigate through raw complex data structures, allowing them to access sophisticated functionalities through simplified interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If intelligent user interface with object-based navigation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to operation prioritization logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidnavigation logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting operation priorities based on user roles, context, and system state. The intelligent user interface modifies navigation behavior by changing which operations are presented or executed first, without requiring users to understand the underlying priority logic. This resolves the contradiction by encapsulating complexity within the system while maintaining simplicity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8117529B2Object based navigation
Publication Date: 2012.02.14 SAP SE
  • US8117529B2 patent drawing
  • US8117529B2 patent drawing
  • US8117529B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The object based navigation is an intelligent user interface that uses a source object to determine which target information is to be presented to the user. This is done by associating an object to one or more operations, so that selection of a given source object would result in a predefined operation to be activated. The role of the user may also affect the predefined operation that is activated. If multiple operations are associated with a given source object, these operations may be prioritized, so that the one with the highest priority is performed as a default operation.