Submission Timeline Header With Snapshot View Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tools for providing reference to data submissions in web applications and user interfaces are unable to track all rounds and instances of data submission, fail to provide references to the view at the time of submission, and require time-consuming and error-prone undo processes, affecting usability.

Innovation Solution

A header for a user interface is generated with timestamped elements that display a page representation window showing the state of the data field at the time of submission, allowing users to reference previous views without undoing submissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional tools are used to provide reference to data submissions, then textual reference to data files is provided, but the ability to track all rounds and instances of data submission is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking data submission historyVSAvoidcompleteness of submission reference

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing page representation information at the moment of each data submission event. This proactive recording ensures that all submission instances are tracked before the user needs to reference them, eliminating the need for undo processes and providing complete historical tracking of all data submissions regardless of processing outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies of the page representation at each submission moment and stores them for later retrieval. Instead of relying on textual data files, the system generates and preserves visual snapshots that accurately reflect the UI state at the time of submission, enabling reliable reference to any past submission instance through the timeline header.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If conventional tools are used to reference previous submissions, then textual data file reference is provided, but reference to the view at the time of submission is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveview state informationVSAvoidusability of reference process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a temporal dimension to the reference process by implementing a timeline header that displays chronological markers for each submission. This transforms the flat textual reference into a multi-dimensional navigation interface where users can visually traverse through different points in time, making it intuitive to locate and review specific submission states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If undo processes are used to reference previous submissions, then previous data can be viewed, but time and computing resources are expended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to previous submissionsVSAvoidtime for undo process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If undo processes are used to reference previous views, then previous data can be accessed, but errors are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to previous viewsVSAvoidaccuracy of data reference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

5Productivity

If conventional tools are used, then processing continues, but usability is affected by manual reference processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiduser usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically capturing, storing, and organizing page representation information at each submission event without requiring user intervention. The timeline header automatically updates with new submission markers, and users can independently navigate and reference any past submission state, eliminating the need for manual undo processes and improving both productivity and usability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12474824B2Header for a user interface to track data submissions

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SALESFORCE INC

AI summary

A header and a timestamp element for the header may be generated based on a request to process data for a page of a user interface. A tooltip with descriptive information for the timestamp element may be generated and displayed based on proximity of an interactive element to the timestamp element, and a page representation window may be displayed based on an interaction with the timestamp element. The page representation window includes a representation of the data field and its content that is indicative of how the data field and its content existed at a time of the request to process data. Moreover, an indicator of correspondence between the timestamp element and the page representation window may be displayed. Based on interaction with a settings indicator element, a header settings window for modifying settings for the header may be displayed with view options (e.g., all, custom, etc.) for data submissions.