Circular Contact Interface Rotation for Fast Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accessing contacts and related functions on electronic devices in a fast and intuitive manner, especially in hectic environments where quick multitasking is required.
Innovation Solution
A user interface and device method that employs graphical visualization to provide easy and intuitive access to contacts, allowing users to select and interact with contact icons and control icons for group actions, with features like rotation and scrolling to manage contact lists efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional contact list interfaces are used, then all contacts can be stored, but access time increases and usability deteriorates in hectic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The contact list is segmented into multiple pages with a fixed number of contacts per page (e.g., 10 contacts). This segmentation allows the interface to display only relevant contacts initially, enabling faster access to frequently contacted persons while maintaining the ability to access the entire contact database through pagination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension to the contact display interface. Contacts are arranged in a circular pattern around a central control icon, allowing users to rotate the contact list to bring desired contacts into the active selection area. This rotational mechanism adds a new dimension to contact navigation, enabling quick access without scrolling through linear lists.
2Productivity
If more contacts are displayed at once, then access speed improves, but device complexity and interface clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact display is divided into fixed-page segments with a predetermined number of contacts per page. This segmentation prevents information overload by showing only a manageable number of contacts at once, while still enabling rapid access to frequently contacted persons within each page segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact icons are arranged in a circular pattern around the central control icon, creating a spherical/curved layout instead of a linear or grid arrangement. This curved arrangement optimizes screen space utilization and allows intuitive rotational navigation, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining fast access to multiple contacts.
3Ease of operation
If graphical visualization with icons is used, then ease of operation improves, but processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central control icon serves multiple functions: it acts as the selection indicator for the active contact page, serves as the rotation control mechanism, and functions as the visual anchor for the entire contact display. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control elements, thereby simplifying the overall interface while maintaining intuitive graphical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular arrangement of contact icons around the central control icon creates an intuitive visual hierarchy and rotation pattern. This curved layout naturally guides user interaction through rotational gestures, enhancing intuitiveness without requiring complex graphical processing or multiple display elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface comprises a display and a controller, said controller being arranged to display an arrangement of at least one contact icon associated with a contact and to display a control icon, said control icon associated with a function.


