Process Thumbnail View for Interactive Structure and Status Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enterprise data visualization tools lack the ability to interactively display process structure and status, limiting users' ability to navigate and manage complex processes effectively within enterprise systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine a logical order of phases in a process and associate status icons with each phase, allowing for a visual representation that indicates both process structure and status, enabling users to view and interact with process information more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional menu or icon-based visualization methods are used, then the interface is simple and easy to understand, but the ability to display process structure and status information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The process is segmented into multiple phases, each represented by a separate thumbnail icon in the sequence. This allows the complex process information to be divided into manageable visual units that can be displayed and understood individually while maintaining the overall process structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional menu/icon interfaces to a sequential thumbnail representation that adds the dimension of process flow and time progression. This visual dimensionality change enables users to perceive both the structure (sequence of phases) and status (completion level of each phase) simultaneously.
2Loss of information
If complex visualization metaphors like tree diagrams or hyperbolic browsers are used, then more complex levels of detail and relationships can be shown, but the interface becomes more complex and harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
Each process phase is represented by a thumbnail copy or icon that visually represents the phase's key characteristics and status. These thumbnail copies provide a simplified visual representation that maintains essential information while being much easier to interpret than detailed tree diagrams or complex metaphors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded status indicators within the thumbnails to convey process phase status information. This visual encoding allows users to quickly understand the state of each phase (e.g., completed, in progress, pending) without requiring complex interactions or detailed examination of each element.
3Loss of information
If detailed process information is displayed, then users can see process structure and status, but the interface becomes less interactive and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The thumbnail sequence is designed to be dynamic and responsive to user interaction. Users can click on individual thumbnails to expand or drill down into specific phases, allowing the interface to adapt between overview and detailed views. This dynamic behavior maintains ease of operation while providing comprehensive process information when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The structure and status of a process are displayed jointly. Multiple visualization mechanisms are used to provide the visualization of business process data. Drill-down of the data provides interactivity for a user to access information. In one embodiment color coding is used to provide a color distribution to visually indicate information to a user regarding a process.