Visual Database Relationship Grouping for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently accessing and sorting through large volumes of data on portable devices, where the reduced display size hinders users' ability to navigate and find specific information due to the cumbersome nature of accessing massive databases.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to visually represent relationships between information entities from databases by identifying primary and secondary relationships with a root entity, using icons and connectors to display these relationships, allowing for intuitive sorting and browsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If databases are made larger to store more information, then the quantity of stored information increases, but the ease of accessing and sorting through the data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display of database information by categorizing entities into primary and secondary relationship groups. Primary relationship entities are displayed in a first region while secondary relationship entities are displayed in a second region, creating visual segments that make navigation through large datasets more manageable and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relationship indicators as intermediary visual elements that mediate between the root entity and related entities. These indicators (such as lines or arrows) provide visual context about the nature of relationships, helping users understand data connections without needing to manually sort through extensive database results.
2Length of moving object
If display size is reduced to enhance portability, then device portability improves, but the ability to sort through large amounts of data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the display screen to organize data hierarchically. Primary relationship entities are positioned in an upper first region while secondary relationship entities are positioned in a lower second region. This vertical arrangement allows users to navigate through large datasets on small displays by scrolling vertically through organized layers rather than horizontally through flat lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the limited display area into segmented regions based on relationship depth. By segmenting the display into a first region for primary relationships and a second region for secondary relationships, the system maximizes the utility of limited screen real estate, allowing users to access organized information hierarchies on portable devices with small displays.
3Loss of information
If all entities are displayed together to show complete data, then information completeness improves, but the difficulty of finding specific information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments entities based on their relationship depth to the root entity. Primary relationship entities are separated from secondary relationship entities and displayed in distinct regions. This segmentation allows users to focus on specific relationship levels when searching for information while maintaining the option to access all entities, thus balancing information completeness with ease of detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display characteristics to different entity groups based on their relationship importance. Primary relationship entities receive prominent display treatment in the first region while secondary relationship entities are displayed in the second region with potentially different visual weights. This local differentiation helps users quickly identify and locate specific types of information without displaying all entities uniformly.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a visual representation of relationships between information entities from databases. In particular, the method may include identifying a plurality of entities with a primary relationship with a root entity, and a plurality of entities with a secondary relationship with the root entity, display of the root entity, a first subset of the plurality of entities with a primary relationship with the root entity, and a first subset of the plurality of entities with a secondary relationship with the root entity. Methods may further include display of an indication that the first subset of entities with a primary relationship has a primary relationship with the root entity and providing for display of an indication that the first subset of entities with a secondary relationship has a secondary relationship with the root entity.