Signal Path Model Highlighting for Cognitive Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex signal paths in graphical models of technical systems make it difficult for users to determine which influencing variables act on individual signals and where they are located, leading to cognitive overload and inefficient problem-solving.
Innovation Solution
A development device that allows users to select a specific signal, highlighting only the relevant processing units and influencing variables along the signal path, while reducing the model complexity and providing hierarchical representations and signal profiles for easier analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a hierarchical representation with multiple levels is used to represent complex technical systems, then the completeness of system representation is improved, but the device complexity and user cognitive load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex model into multiple hierarchical levels, where each level represents a different degree of abstraction. Users can navigate between levels to view either the complete system overview or detailed component information, thereby maintaining information completeness while managing complexity through structured segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the model representation, allowing users to traverse between different levels of abstraction. This additional dimension enables the system to present comprehensive information when needed while maintaining a simplified view during normal operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between completeness and complexity.
2Loss of information
If all processing units and variables are displayed in the graphical model, then the completeness of information is improved, but the ease of operation and user focus deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to extract and highlight only the relevant processing units and signal paths related to a selected signal, separating the essential information from the irrelevant background. This extraction mechanism allows users to maintain focus on specific areas of interest while knowing that complete information is available upon demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the model based on their relevance to the selected signal. Relevant processing units and signal paths are highlighted with enhanced visual properties, while irrelevant elements are dimmed or hidden, creating local quality variations that guide user attention without losing overall system context.
3Measurement precision
If the complete model is displayed to show all signal paths, then the measurement precision of signal dependencies is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring specific signal paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection mechanism that allows users to specify a target signal, and the system automatically identifies and highlights the relevant signal paths and processing units. This intermediary function mediates between the user's information needs and the complex model structure, making specific signal dependencies easy to detect while maintaining the option to view complete information for verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A development device for configuring a model of a technical system to represent signal paths, in particular on a computer with a display, wherein the model depicts at least two signal paths of the technical system and, in an initial representation, all input signals, output signals, and all processing units are depicted in the form of block elements in a circuit diagram, characterized in that the development device is configured to reduce the representation of the model to the signal path of the selected signal once any desired input signal or output signal has been selected, wherein only the relevant processing units are displayed or highlighted.