Hierarchical Visual Navigation With Hover Thumbnails for Data Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems struggle to efficiently organize and navigate large quantities of data, leading to confusion and resource wastage due to the need for continuous screen opening and closing during searches.
Innovation Solution
A computer navigation system representing data categories and sub-categories with functionally labeled circles in a hierarchical organization, linked by stems indicating connectedness, and utilizing algorithms to group and assign items to these circles based on context and granularity, with mouse-over thumbnails for intuitive data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is organized using traditional screen-opening methods, then data can be accessed, but user time is wasted and system resources are drained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms traditional linear screen navigation into a two-dimensional visual hierarchy displayed on a single screen. Categories and sub-categories are represented as circles arranged spatially, allowing users to perceive data relationships at a glance rather than navigating through multiple screens sequentially. This dimensional transformation enables simultaneous viewing of multiple data levels, dramatically reducing search time and improving navigation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If traditional verbal data filing is used, then data can be stored, but data retrieval becomes confusing and overwhelming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to different categories and sub-categories in the hierarchical structure. Each category is represented by a distinct color, allowing users to quickly identify and differentiate between various data types visually. This color-based visual system simplifies data retrieval by replacing text-heavy interfaces with intuitive color-coded categories, reducing cognitive load and making the system easier to operate despite the complexity of the underlying data structure.
3Loss of information
If detailed data subsets are displayed, then data completeness is improved, but screen space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where categories contain sub-categories, which in turn contain detailed data subsets. This nesting is visualized through concentric or nested circles, allowing multiple levels of data detail to be contained within progressively smaller visual spaces. The nested structure enables comprehensive data display without proportionally increasing screen space requirements, as related data subsets are grouped and contained within their parent category boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer navigation system that represents categories and sub-categories of material with functionally labeled objects connected in a hierarchical organization. Descending nodes represent more detailed subsets of material. Hovering the computer mouse over a node displays thumbnails of the items available under it, enabling the user to search for items without opening the respective pages, transforming a literal or verbal data filing and retrieval process into a more intuitive and easy to use visual one. Once the user hovers the computer mouse over the node with the desired item and sees its thumbnail the user clicks on the node, opening the screen from which the user can access that item (or upload a similar one), or clicks on the thumbnail to access the item directly. In addition, the system employs algorithms to group items into various categories and sub-categories and assigns them to the appropriate nodes.