Visual Browsing System for Multi-Level Category Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience and time consumption when navigating multiple level categories on online shopping websites, as they must click and wait for each web page to load, making it difficult to browse and view items across different levels simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A visual browsing method that allows users to hover over icons instead of clicking, enabling them to browse items across multiple levels without loading new pages, with a breadcrumb trail for easy navigation and the ability to backtrack without reloading pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users click through multiple web pages to browse category levels, then they can view detailed information for each category, but they must wait for each page to load and can only view one page at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple category levels into a single visual map displayed on one web page. Instead of requiring users to navigate through separate web pages for each category level, the invention presents first-level categories, second-level subcategories, and third-level items all simultaneously visible in a hierarchical layout, eliminating the need for sequential page loading and allowing users to browse multiple levels at once
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional sequential navigation approach (moving forward through pages) into a two-dimensional visual map where users can see multiple category levels simultaneously. By displaying category hierarchies in a spatial layout with visual connections, the invention adds a dimensional aspect to navigation, allowing users to perceive the entire category structure at once rather than progressing through linear page transitions
2Ease of operation
If users click through multiple web pages to navigate categories, then they can access detailed item information, but the process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple navigation steps into a single visual interface where all category levels are accessible from one page. Users can see first-level categories, second-level subcategories, and third-level items simultaneously displayed with visual connectors, allowing them to navigate directly to any level without clicking through intermediate pages, thereby reducing both the number of clicks and overall browsing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-loading and displaying all category levels and their hierarchical relationships on a single web page before the user needs to view them. The complete category map is prepared in advance with visual connectors showing relationships between levels, so users can immediately see and navigate to any category without waiting for sequential page loads
3Loss of information
If users view one web page at a time, then they can focus on current category information, but they cannot see contents of multiple levels simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the category information into distinct visual zones on the page, with first-level categories in one area, second-level subcategories in another, and third-level items in a third area. Each segment is clearly separated and labeled, allowing users to easily distinguish between different hierarchy levels while seeing all levels simultaneously displayed on the same page
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual connectors and spatial arrangement to represent hierarchical relationships in two dimensions on a single page. Instead of using sequential page transitions, the invention displays the category tree structure with visual lines connecting parent categories to subcategories and items, allowing users to perceive the entire hierarchy at once in a spatial layout that preserves relational information
Data Source
AI summary
A visual browsing method allows a user to look at an item closely by hovering over, instead of clicking on, an icon representing the item. The method also enables the user to browse items in different levels of a multiple level category without waiting for web pages to be loaded, to know where he/she has been in the multiple level category, and to back up if he/she likes. The method makes the browsing process faster and easier.