Animated Dialog Menu Transforming Selectable Object
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer-generated user interfaces, such as dialog menus, often appear as pop-up boxes that consume screen space and are not aesthetically pleasing, and can be confusing due to platform-specific layouts, leading to an inconvenient user experience across different devices.
Innovation Solution
An animated computer-generated dialog system that transforms a selectable object, like a button, into a dialog menu using a seamless transition, reusing symbols (e.g., '+' to 'x') to conserve space and provide consistent placement across platforms, utilizing a processor and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with computer instructions for this method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pop-up dialog menus are used, then user interaction functionality is provided, but screen space is consumed and aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dialog menu is nested within the selectable object itself. When a user selects an object, the object transforms to reveal the dialog menu options within its boundaries, rather than displaying a separate pop-up box. This nesting approach allows the dialog to be contained within the original object's space, eliminating the need for additional screen real estate while maintaining full interactive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional pop-up dialog displayed on the screen surface to utilizing the vertical depth dimension through animated transformation. The selectable object expands or transforms in place, creating a layered visual effect where the dialog emerges from within the object itself. This dimensional approach allows the dialog to occupy the same screen footprint while providing visual separation and hierarchy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If platform-specific dialog layouts are used, then device-specific optimization is achieved, but user experience consistency deteriorates across platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal dialog system where the same selectable object transformation pattern works across all platforms and devices. Instead of creating platform-specific dialog implementations, the system uses a single unified approach: any selectable object transforms into its dialog menu using consistent animation patterns and spatial relationships. This universal pattern ensures that users experience the same interaction paradigm regardless of device or platform, while still adapting to different screen sizes and contexts.
3Ease of operation
If animated transformation between selectable objects is implemented, then visual appeal and seamless transitions are improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses the same selectable object instance and its associated symbol throughout the transformation process. Instead of creating entirely new graphical elements for the dialog, the system copies and transforms the existing object's visual properties. The dialog menu is rendered using the same object hierarchy and symbol assets, merely repositioned and reconfigured through animation. This copying approach maintains visual consistency while minimizing the computational overhead of creating and managing separate graphical resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Responsive to user interacting with a selectable object on a user interface, the selectable object is transitioned in an animated transitioning process into a dialog menu with selectable options. The animated transitioning process can include rotating a part of the selectable object (e.g., rotating a “+” symbol into an “x” symbol), changing a function of the part of the selectable object being rotated (e.g., from “Add” to “Close”), and changing the shape and/or size of the selectable object. As part of the animated transitioning process, dialog menu items may be displayed in the dialog menu. Once the animated transitioning process is complete, the user can interact with the dialog menu. Closing the dialog menu triggers an animated transitioning process that transitions the dialog menu to a selectable object.