Organizational Chart Export Canvas Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
As organizations grow, displaying and exporting organizational charts become cumbersome due to the need for scrolling and the complexity of managing multiple levels and relationships within a browser window, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that dynamically updates the layout of an organizational chart within a browser window by using a processor to present nodes as tiles, with an overlay export canvas that adjusts to prevent collisions and allows for resizing or shifting to optimize the viewable area, and provides options for exporting the chart across multiple pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the organizational chart is expanded to display all members, then the completeness of information is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to scrolling requirements and difficulty in visualizing relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat display to a three-dimensional spatial representation using depth cues. Members are arranged in multiple layers with varying depths, allowing the entire organization to be visualized simultaneously without scrolling. The depth-based layout enables users to perceive hierarchical relationships and spatial positioning intuitively, resolving the contradiction between displaying complete information and maintaining ease of operation.
2Loss of information
If the export canvas is adjusted to include more content, then the completeness of exported information is improved, but the collision with organizational chart elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The export canvas automatically adjusts its boundaries and position based on the detected organizational chart elements. When the canvas is dragged or resized, the system autonomously calculates optimal boundaries that include complete member information while avoiding collisions with tiles and connection lines. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual boundary management, resolving the contradiction between exporting complete information and managing canvas complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of export canvas is allowed, then the flexibility of export options is improved, but the time consumption and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback during export canvas adjustment by automatically detecting when tiles or connection lines are about to collide with canvas boundaries. As users drag or resize the canvas, the system continuously monitors element positions and provides visual feedback, automatically adjusting boundaries to prevent collisions. This feedback mechanism maintains user flexibility while eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments and reducing confusion through automated guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for exporting organizational charts being presented inside a browser window. The system can present an export canvas that identifies the portion of the organizational chart that is to be exported. In some embodiments, the export canvas can be automatically adjusted to prevent collisions with tiles within the organizational chart. In some examples, the export canvas can be presented on a different layer than the organizational chart, thus allowing the export canvas to move around freely without disrupting the underlying organizational chart.