Accelerated Scrolling Interface with Helper Characters for Small Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniaturized electronic devices face challenges in providing an intuitive user interface with limited screen size and button count, making it difficult for users to efficiently scroll through long lists on small displays without sacrificing functionality or usability.

Innovation Solution

A user interface that employs a helper character generator, which displays a representative character as the user scrolls through a list, allowing for accelerated scrolling while maintaining visibility of the selected item, and optionally providing additional characters or feedback for easier navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the display size and number of buttons are reduced to miniaturize the device, then the device size is reduced, but the ease of operation and functionality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user and the data array. The server handles the complex task of managing long lists and generating helper characters, allowing the client device to have a simplified interface with fewer buttons and smaller display while maintaining ease of operation through the server's assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of physically scrolling through long lists on a small display with an automated system. The server generates helper characters that guide the user through the list, substituting the mechanical scrolling operation with an intelligent, automated navigation system that works within the constraints of the miniaturized interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If the display size is reduced, then the device becomes more portable, but the ability to display and navigate long lists effectively deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidlist navigation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary that manages the display of long lists on small screens. It generates helper characters that provide contextual information about the list contents without requiring the full list to be displayed, thereby preserving list navigation capability while maintaining device portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information presentation by using helper characters that represent portions of the list. Instead of displaying all list items simultaneously (which would require a large screen), the system transforms the information into a condensed format using representative characters, allowing effective list navigation on small displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional scrolling methods are used on small displays, then the interface remains simple, but the time required to access information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidinformation access time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server intermediary accelerates information access by generating helper characters that allow users to quickly navigate through long lists. Instead of requiring users to scroll through every item sequentially, the helper characters provide rapid access points and contextual information, significantly reducing information access time while keeping the client interface simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs preliminary action by pre-generating and displaying helper characters that represent upcoming portions of the list. This allows users to anticipate and quickly locate desired information without exhaustive scrolling, reducing access time while maintaining interface simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7698652B2Rapid retrieval user interface designed around small displays and few buttons for searching long lists

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

In a user-interface application, a computing apparatus has a user-interface to assist the user in searching for information from a data array. In an example embodiment according to the present invention, the data array is an ordered list of addresses. In a UI so equipped, the user experiences a particular sequence of events. The user begins at a point on a list of addresses. After the user presses the scroll key, the list rolls down a low rate. As the user continues to hold down the scroll button the scroll accelerates. After a predetermined time, a helper character is displayed. This character may represent a first letter of a name or a first digit of a telephone number. The UI displays the helper character to the user. The user continues to hold the scroll button until a help character, corresponding to his/her desired selection, appears. The user releases the scroll button and may slowly browse among a smaller group of data to locate the particular selection.