Smart Input Field for Complex String Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic forms often require users to perform external calculations for complex input, disrupting workflow and introducing potential errors due to the lack of systems that can accept and analyze complex input strings.
Innovation Solution
A system that displays an input field, receives and analyzes complex input strings by identifying operators and sub-strings, performs mathematical operations, and checks against expectations to simplify the input for further calculations or form completions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users are required to perform external calculations using separate calculators, then calculation accuracy may be improved, but workflow efficiency and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the calculation function directly into the electronic form's input field, merging what were previously separate tools (form and calculator) into a single integrated system. This allows users to perform calculations without leaving the form context, thereby maintaining calculation accuracy while significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The input field automatically performs calculations when users enter complex input strings, eliminating the need for users to manually switch to external calculators. The system serves itself by detecting mathematical operations in the input and automatically computing results, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users perform external calculations and transcription, then complex values can be computed, but potential errors in calculation and transcription increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and performs mathematical operations embedded in user input, eliminating manual transcription steps. By having the system self-serve the calculation function, it reduces human error while maintaining the ability to handle complex input scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by displaying calculated results directly in the input field, allowing users to verify calculations instantly. This feedback mechanism reduces errors by enabling users to catch and correct mistakes before submission.
3Device complexity
If electronic forms only accept simple input strings, then input validation is simplified, but user flexibility and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The input field dynamically adapts its behavior based on the input received. When it detects simple input, it operates with basic validation; when it detects complex input strings containing mathematical operations, it automatically switches to calculation mode. This dynamic adjustment maintains validation simplicity while greatly enhancing input flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The input field is designed to serve multiple functions: it can accept both simple numeric input and complex mathematical expressions. This multi-functionality allows the same field to handle various input types without requiring separate validation logic for each case, thereby maintaining simplicity while increasing versatility.
4Manufacturing precision
If users are prompted to enter pre-calculated values, then input field requirements are met, but user convenience and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calculations in advance by automatically processing the mathematical operations embedded in user input before form submission. This preliminary calculation action eliminates the need for users to perform separate calculation steps, thereby maintaining form completion accuracy while significantly reducing the time users spend on calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The input field automatically performs the calculation function that would otherwise require user action. By making the system self-serve this function, it eliminates the time users would spend on external calculations while ensuring the form receives the accurate pre-calculated values it requires.
Data Source
AI summary
Simplification of complex input strings is utilized for user convenience, such that the user may input a complex input string in lieu of performing an external calculation and inputting the result thereof. The simplification identifying at least one operator in the complex input string indicative of a mathematical operation, identifying a first sub-string and a second sub-string in the input string, comparing the first sub-string to an expectation identification associated with the input field to determine a significance of the first sub-string, comparing the first sub-string to a range expectation associated with said significance to determine if the first sub-string meets the range expectation, and calculating a simplified input string by performing the mathematical operation on the first sub-string and the second sub-string.