Gesture-Based Chart Variable Switching on Mobile Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face complexity in graphical user interfaces due to display size differences, requiring users to navigate through additional menus and submenus for tasks, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based method and system that presents a chart with a flippable element, allowing users to switch between dataset variables using gestures like swipe and pinch, simplifying data manipulation and visualization without the need for complex menu navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional menu navigation is used on mobile devices, then tasks can be completed, but the interface complexity increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the variable selection functionality from the traditional menu system and places it directly on the chart visualization. Users can tap directly on chart elements (bars, lines, data points) to change variables, eliminating the need to navigate through menus and submenus. This extraction of the selection mechanism from the navigation hierarchy directly reduces interface complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of interaction by enabling direct manipulation of chart elements in the visual space. Instead of navigating through hierarchical menus (one-dimensional navigation), users can interact with the chart in two dimensions by tapping or hovering over specific visual elements. This dimensional change transforms the interaction paradigm from menu-based navigation to direct visual manipulation, reducing the perceived complexity.
2Loss of information
If more variables are displayed in the chart, then data completeness improves, but screen space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic chart visualization where the displayed variables and data scope automatically adjust based on the available screen space and the current view. The system dynamically determines which variables to display and how much data to render, optimizing the balance between data completeness and screen space utilization. This dynamic adaptation allows the chart to present comprehensive data when space permits while maintaining readability when space is constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the chart to display different levels of detail. Instead of uniformly displaying all variables across the entire chart, the system selectively renders variables in specific areas based on their importance, the current zoom level, and the available space. This localized approach ensures that critical data is always visible while less critical information is displayed only when appropriate, optimizing both data completeness and screen space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Gestures are described for manipulating tables, charts and graphs. For tables, a swipe gesture is described that deletes a column from a table when the gesture is detected on a column of the table. A pinch gesture is also described that combines two or more columns or rows of a table when the gesture is detected on columns of the table. For charts and graphs, a swipe gesture is described that changes the contents of the chart or graph when the gesture is detected on an axis label of the chart or graph. Another swipe gesture is describes that modifies the appearance of the chart or graph when the gesture is detected on or near an edge of the chart or graph and moving towards the center of the chart or graph.