Routing Diagram Navigation via User-Selectable Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex wiring diagrams often exceed the display capacity of computing devices, making it difficult to navigate and trace wires effectively, especially as the complexity increases with the number of electrical components and wires, leading to increased repair time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for displaying routing diagrams on a computing device that includes user-selectable controls within the diagrams, allowing users to navigate between multiple diagrams by selecting hotspots, which correspond to specific components, thereby highlighting the continuation of routable components across multiple diagrams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a complete wiring diagram is displayed on a computing device, then all electrical components and wires are visible, but the diagram becomes too complex to trace and decipher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a complex wiring diagram into multiple separate diagrams, each showing a specific portion or circuit of the complete wiring system. This segmentation allows technicians to view and trace individual circuits without being overwhelmed by the entire wiring harness, resolving the contradiction between showing all information and maintaining diagram simplicity.
2Device complexity
If multiple wiring diagrams are created to show different portions, then the complexity of each diagram is reduced, but navigation between diagrams becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a navigation system that provides feedback mechanisms between multiple wiring diagrams, allowing technicians to easily navigate from one diagram to another. This includes features such as cross-referencing, hyperlinked components, and systematic organization that enable seamless transition between related diagrams, resolving the contradiction between diagram simplicity and navigation ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the computing device display is used to show wiring diagrams, then digital accessibility is improved, but the display size is insufficient to show complete diagrams at readable zoom levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complete wiring diagram into multiple smaller diagrams that can be displayed on standard computing device screens at readable sizes. This segmentation allows the entire wiring system to be viewed across multiple diagrams without requiring excessive zooming or a larger physical display, resolving the contradiction between digital accessibility and display area limitations.
4Loss of information
If wires are shown continuing across multiple wiring diagrams, then complete circuit tracing is enabled, but the relationship between diagrams becomes complex to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermediary elements such as cross-reference markers, numbered connection points, and hyperlinked components that serve as mediators between multiple wiring diagrams. These intermediaries clearly indicate how wires and circuits continue across diagram boundaries without creating complex visual relationships, allowing technicians to trace complete circuits while maintaining understanding of diagram relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and computing system operable for displaying a first routing diagram on a display. The first routing diagram is a member of a first set of routing diagrams that includes multiple different routing diagrams. Displaying the first routing diagram includes displaying a user-selectable control and a first portion of a particular routable component within the first routing diagram. The user-selectable control corresponds to a location of the display where a first terminal connected to the particular routable component or a second terminal connected or connectable to the first terminal is displayed. An additional function include determining, by a processor, a selection of the user-selectable control occurs while the first routing diagram is displayed on the display. A further function includes displaying, on the display in response to determining the selection of the user-selectable control occurs, the second routing diagram with a second portion of the particular routable component highlighted.