Virtual Tree File Navigation via Meta-Information Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulty in efficiently searching for specific document files within a tree structure file system, as they need to navigate through multiple layers, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that utilizes a meta-information storage unit to store identification data strings for each data group, allowing a display control unit to display a virtual tree structure based on meta-information, enabling users to select a viewpoint and update the meta-information to simplify the navigation and display of document files by rearranging the folder hierarchy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users navigate through the original tree structure file system to search for document files, then the file system structure is maintained, but the search process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming due to multiple layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoidtime to navigate through layers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual tree structure that is a copy of the original file system tree. This virtual copy allows users to navigate and search for files without affecting the original structure. The virtual tree can be displayed in different viewpoints (e.g., showing only relevant folders or flattening the structure) to reduce navigation time while maintaining the ability to access all original files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of navigation by creating a virtual representation of the file system. Instead of navigating through the original multi-layered tree structure, users can interact with a virtual tree that offers alternative navigation paths and viewpoints, effectively adding a new dimensional approach to file access that bypasses the depth limitations of the original structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the original tree structure is altered to simplify navigation, then search efficiency improves, but the original file system structure is modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation simplicityVSAvoidoriginal tree structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual tree structure that is a copy of the original file system tree. This virtual copy allows users to navigate and search for files without affecting the original structure. The virtual tree can be displayed in different viewpoints (e.g., showing only relevant folders or flattening the structure) to reduce navigation time while maintaining the ability to access all original files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual tree structure serves as an intermediary between the user and the original file system. It provides a simplified navigation interface that mediates access to the complex original structure, allowing users to benefit from simplified navigation while the original file system remains unchanged and intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a virtual tree structure is created to improve navigation, then search efficiency improves, but additional data structures and processing are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument file search speedVSAvoidmeta-information storage and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual tree structure that is a copy of the original file system tree. This virtual copy allows users to navigate and search for files without affecting the original structure. The virtual tree can be displayed in different viewpoints (e.g., showing only relevant folders or flattening the structure) to reduce navigation time while maintaining the ability to access all original files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-processes the file system structure to create the virtual tree and stores meta-information about the relationships between nodes. This preliminary action allows the virtual structure to be ready for efficient navigation from the start, avoiding the need for complex real-time processing during user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9990387B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus. For each of pieces of data each of which belongs to any of data groups constituting a tree structure, a meta-information storage unit stores an identification data string of pieces of identification data of data groups included in a path to a data group to which the piece of data belongs, as a piece of meta-information of the piece of data. A display unit displays an image representing a tree structure composed of virtual data groups corresponding to the data groups, in accordance with pieces of meta-information of the pieces of data. An update unit updates, in a case where at least one of the pieces of identification data has been specified by a user, a piece of meta-information including the specified piece of identification data among the pieces of meta-information.