Rail Vehicle Path Modification with Graphical Timetable Dragging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical timetable applications for modifying rail vehicle paths are complex and time-consuming due to the manual amendment of numerical values for stopping and starting points.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows users to intuitively modify rail vehicle paths through graphical interactions, such as selecting and dragging elements on a graphical timetable to change the location and time of stopping and starting points, with real-time data integration and preview of modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual amendment of numerical values is used for modifying stopping and starting points, then precision of path modification is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual numerical input (mechanical/data entry system) with graphical drag-and-drop interaction (visual interface system). Users drag stopping and starting point markers directly on the graphical timetable to modify paths, eliminating the need to manually amend numerical values while maintaining modification precision through visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces graphical markers (visual intermediaries) that represent stopping and starting points on the timetable display. These markers serve as intermediaries between the user and the underlying numerical data, allowing users to interact with visual elements that automatically update the corresponding numerical values when dragged to new positions.
2Measurement precision
If manual amendment of numerical values is used for modifying stopping and starting points, then accuracy of data input is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of manual numerical input with instantaneous graphical interaction. When users drag markers on the graphical timetable, the system automatically calculates and updates the corresponding numerical values in real-time, significantly reducing the time required for path modification while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of path modification parameters automatically. When a user drags a marker to a new position, the system pre-calculates the updated numerical values for stopping and starting points based on the visual displacement, eliminating the need for users to manually compute or input these values, thus saving time while ensuring accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If graphical drag-and-drop interface is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces graphical markers as intermediaries that simplify user interaction. These visual elements mediate between the simple drag-and-drop gesture and the complex underlying path modification logic, making the interface intuitive while managing software complexity by encapsulating the computational logic within the marker interaction framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal graphical interaction framework that handles multiple path modification operations (changing stopping points, changing starting points, adjusting paths) through a single drag-and-drop mechanism. This multi-functional approach simplifies the user interface while consolidating the complexity into a unified software module that manages all graphical interactions.
4Shape
If graphical timetable application is used, then visualization quality is improved, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the graphical timetable interface into distinct interactive elements (markers for stopping points, markers for starting points, path lines). Each segment has a specific, simple interaction mode (dragging), which reduces overall interface complexity despite the rich visualization. The segmentation allows users to interact with individual elements independently while maintaining the overall visual quality of the timetable.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of modifying a rail vehicle path provided by a graphical timetable application. A graphical timetable is displayed with a first dimension representing time and a second dimension representing a location of the rail vehicle. A first user input selects a rail vehicle path represented by a line graph displayed as part of the graphical timetable. To allow for easy-to-use modification of the rail vehicle path, a second user input selects a stopping element representing a stopping point of the rail vehicle path and a first drag user input drags the stopping element in the first dimension, thereby changing the time of the stopping point, and/or in the second dimension, changing the location of the stopping point. A third user selection selects a starting point of the rail vehicle path and a second drag user input drags the starting element in the time dimension and/or in the location dimension.