Taxonomy Navigation Crumb for Direct Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation tools, such as 'crumbs,' only show a linear sequence of navigation steps and do not allow users to directly access other resources within a taxonomy, requiring users to navigate up and back down through the taxonomy to reach a new resource.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables users to navigate through a full taxonomy of resources using 'full-taxonomy navigation crumbs' on client devices, allowing direct access to any resource within the taxonomy, independent of storage or file structures, and dynamically modified taxonomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional crumbs show only a linear sequence of navigation steps, then the navigation path is simple and clear, but users cannot directly access other resources and must navigate up and back down through the taxonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional linear one-dimensional crumb trail into a multi-dimensional navigation structure by displaying the full taxonomy hierarchy. Users can now navigate not only forward and backward along their current path but also laterally to sibling nodes and descendants, adding spatial dimensions to the navigation interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The taxonomy is segmented into hierarchical levels with each crumb representing a node in the hierarchy. The system divides the navigation task into manageable segments by allowing users to jump to specific levels and nodes independently, rather than requiring sequential navigation through every intermediate node.
2Productivity
If crumbs show only the current navigation path, then the interface remains simple, but users lose the ability to navigate directly to intermediary or related resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-displaying the complete taxonomy structure and making all nodes potentially accessible. Users are presented with the full hierarchy upfront, allowing them to plan their navigation path and directly access any resource without having to traverse intermediate nodes sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The crumb navigation element is transformed into a multi-functional interface that serves both as a breadcrumb trail for back-navigation and as a direct access menu to any node in the taxonomy. The same interface structure supports multiple navigation modes: backward navigation, forward navigation to descendants, and lateral navigation to siblings.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to enabling a user to navigate to a web page or other resource in a taxonomy of resources using a crumb provided in a user interface. The crumb is associated with a category of web pages in the taxonomy. When a user indicates the crumb, such as hovering over the crumb, additional crumbs are displayed, so that the user may directly navigate to another web page in the taxonomy. The additional crumbs may be in the same, or a different category. The user can select a crumb from any category to navigate forward and backward in the taxonomy. The taxonomy may be independent of a storage structure for the web pages. The crumbs may be in a toolbar, script, or other module that interfaces with a local or remote taxonomy processor to access and dynamically manage the taxonomy of web pages.