3D Virtual Camera Zooming Hierarchical System Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human-machine interfaces for complex technical systems are limited in their ability to provide a transparent overview of hierarchical systems, leading to difficulties in monitoring and controlling these systems due to limited zooming and nesting capabilities, which can result in errors and a poor understanding of the overall system.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented human-machine interaction method that allows for infinite zooming across hierarchical levels by loading a three-dimensional workspace associated with a block, using a virtual camera to project and reveal or hide content areas based on size and distance, enabling efficient monitoring and control of complex systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional human-machine interfaces display hierarchical system models on limited screen areas, then the interface can be simple and portable, but the system cannot provide a transparent overview of complex hierarchical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D screen display to 3D virtual workspace representation. Hierarchical system models are displayed as three-dimensional structures where users can navigate through multiple levels by moving the virtual camera in three-dimensional space, allowing comprehensive overview of complex systems without screen area limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested visualization where lower hierarchical levels are contained within higher levels. The virtual camera can zoom into nested components and structures, revealing detailed information at each hierarchical level while maintaining context of the overall system structure.
2Device complexity
If conventional software tools restrict visual nesting to one or two hierarchical levels, then the interface remains simple to operate, but the system cannot represent deeper hierarchical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional virtual workspace to represent unlimited hierarchical levels. Instead of being constrained to 1-2 levels in 2D space, the system accommodates deep hierarchical structures by distributing elements across three-dimensional space, allowing the virtual camera to navigate through multiple levels seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic camera control where the virtual camera can be freely positioned and oriented in three-dimensional space. The camera parameters (position, orientation, zoom level) are dynamically adjusted based on user interaction, enabling flexible exploration of hierarchical structures at any depth level.
3Loss of information
If conventional interfaces require switching between tabs or documents to access deeper hierarchical levels, then the current view remains clear, but the user cannot understand the overall system context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent visualizes hierarchical levels as nested structures within a single three-dimensional workspace. Lower levels are nested within higher levels, and the virtual camera can smoothly transition between levels while maintaining visibility of the overall system context, eliminating the need to switch between separate tabs or documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal three-dimensional workspace that can display the entire hierarchical system model in one view. The virtual camera provides multi-functional navigation capabilities, allowing users to view the overall system structure and drill down into specific components without leaving the unified interface environment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional diagramming tools are used for different domains, then each domain can be represented accurately, but collaboration between domains becomes difficult due to incompatible data models
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal three-dimensional workspace and common data model that can represent hierarchical systems from different domains within the same environment. The system maintains domain-specific characteristics while enabling cross-domain correlations to be visualized and analyzed in the unified three-dimensional space, facilitating collaboration between different domains.
Data Source
AI summary
A human-machine interaction, HMI, user interface (1) connected to at least one controller or actuator of a complex system (SYS) having a plurality of system components, C, represented by associated blocks, B, of a hierarchical system model (SYS-MOD) stored in a database, DB, (5) said user interface (1) comprising: an input unit (2) adapted to receive user input commands and a display unit (3) having a screen adapted to display a scene within a three-dimensional workspace, WSB1, associated with a selectable block, B1, representing a corresponding system component, C, of said complex system (SYS) by means of a virtual camera, VCB1, associated to the respective block, B1, and positioned in a three-dimensional coordinate system within a loaded three-dimensional workspace, WSB1, of said block, B1, wherein the virtual camera, VCB1, is moveable automatically in the three-dimensional workspace, WSB1, of the associated block, B1, in response to a user input command input to the input unit (2) of said user interface (1) to perform a zooming operation on the respective block, B1, to reveal or hide its content areas, CAs, wherein the content areas, CAs, of the zoomed block, B1, include nested child blocks, B1_1, B1_2, of the respective block, B1.