Visual Programming Continual Vertical Line Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual programming language editors require multiple commands to construct a continual vertical line across multiple nodes, making it difficult to manage complex connection relationships among normal blocks, thereby hindering the creation of intricate graphs.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to construct a continual vertical line across multiple nodes using a single operation, involving entering an editing mode, selecting a source node, displaying candidate nodes, connecting them, and generating a continuous vertical line based on a queue of nodes, which modifies the connection relationships and updates the graph efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple commands are used to construct vertical lines one by one, then the connection relationship can be established, but the operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vertical line construction operations into a single operation. When a user selects a start node and drags to an end node, the system automatically constructs multiple vertical lines along the path in one action, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and positioning intermediate vertical lines during the drag operation. As the user drags from start to end node, the system pre-constructs the necessary vertical line segments and connection points along the path before the user completes the drag action.
2Ease of operation
If multiple commands are used to construct vertical lines, then the connection relationship is established, but the complexity of managing complex graphs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple vertical line construction operations into a single operation. When a user selects a start node and drags to an end node, the system automatically constructs multiple vertical lines along the path in one action, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating intermediate vertical lines and connection points during the drag operation. The system intelligently determines the path and constructs necessary connection elements without requiring manual intervention for each segment, reducing the cognitive load on users.
3Productivity
If single operation is used to construct continual vertical line, then the efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and preparing the vertical line construction path during the drag operation. As the user drags from start to end node, the system pre-constructs the necessary vertical line segments and connection points along the path before the user completes the drag action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as temporary connection points and automated path calculation mechanisms that facilitate the single-operation construction. These intermediaries handle the complexity of determining optimal paths and constructing multiple lines, shielding the user from the underlying system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for editing continual vertical line of visual programming language includes following steps: entering an editing mode; selecting a source node (41) as a current node from a serial-parallel graphic (1) where the source node (41) is an endpoint of one of a plurality of normal blocks (2) in the graphic; calculating and displaying one or more candidate nodes (42) around current node; connecting the current node to any one of the candidate nodes (42) for converting the connected candidate node (42) into a connected node (43); setting the connected node (43) as the current node for continually calculating, displaying, and connecting to one or more candidate nodes (42) before exiting the editing mode; generating a continual vertical line (3) according to the source node (41) and the one or more connected nodes (43) when exiting the editing mode; and, modifying the serial-parallel relationship among the plurality of normal blocks (2) in the graphic (1) and updating the graphic (1) according to the continual vertical line (3).