Variable Panel Display for Hierarchical Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hierarchical data structures on mobile devices are challenging to navigate due to limited display sizes, leading to difficulties in identifying the current operational level and consuming substantial computer memory, which hinders quick data retrieval and visualization of large lists of results.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a processor that adjusts the size of a variable panel display to accommodate multiple panels, allowing independent navigation between them, and provides contextual information at each node level, enabling users to quickly identify their location and access critical data without exiting the current context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-pane hierarchical display is used on mobile devices, then memory consumption is reduced, but user ability to identify current operational level and navigate hierarchy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple panes, with each pane representing a different hierarchical level. The first pane displays the current operational level while the second pane displays the parent level, allowing users to see their location in the hierarchy without losing context. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing clear level identification while maintaining a manageable display structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional (one-pane) display to a multi-dimensional (multi-pane) display arrangement. By stacking panes vertically to represent hierarchical levels, the system adds a spatial dimension that clearly indicates the current operational level and its relationship to parent levels, improving navigability without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple hierarchical levels are displayed simultaneously, then navigation clarity improves, but memory consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the necessary hierarchical levels in separate panes - specifically the current level and its immediate parent level - rather than displaying the entire hierarchy. This selective extraction provides navigation clarity while minimizing memory consumption by showing only the relevant portions of the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pane is assigned a specific quality or function: the first pane displays the current operational level with actionable elements, while the second pane displays the parent level for context. This local differentiation allows each pane to serve its specific navigational purpose efficiently, improving overall navigation clarity without requiring excessive memory resources.
3Speed
If hierarchical data is loaded completely, then data access speed improves, but memory consumption and network impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and displaying the current hierarchical level and its parent level in separate panes before the user needs to navigate. This preliminary preparation ensures that the necessary data is already available in memory for immediate access, improving data access speed while limiting the pre-loaded data to only what is currently needed, thereby controlling memory consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than loading the entire hierarchical structure, the patent applies partial action by loading only the specific levels currently needed for navigation (the current level and parent level). This partial loading approach provides sufficient data access speed for the user's immediate needs while avoiding the excessive memory consumption that would result from loading the complete hierarchy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display apparatus and related approaches are provided that include an interface with an input and an output and a processor coupled thereto. The output is configured to display a first panel at a variable panel display portion of a display. The first panel includes one or more first selectable nodes associated with an industrial control system as well as information associated with the industrial control system. Additional panels may be presented that describe the hierarchical structure of the industrial control system which may also include selectable nodes and information associated with the industrial control system.