Column-Aware Scrolling for Multi-Column Document Viewports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital documents formatted with multiple columns are inefficiently scrolled in digital formats, leading to unnecessary scrolling as the current scrolling mechanisms do not account for column progression, deterring users from reading and printing due to the lack of column-aware scrolling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the lowest numbered column not fully displayed in the viewport is scrolled upwards while maintaining other columns stationary, allowing users to navigate the document's logical progression without scrolling the entire page, utilizing existing metadata to identify and manage column positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If documents are displayed with multiple columns in digital format using conventional scrolling, then the original document format is maintained, but the scrolling efficiency deteriorates and readability worsens due to unnecessary scrolling to follow text flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scrolling operation into column-specific movements. Instead of scrolling the entire document uniformly, the system identifies and scrolls only the specific column that contains the next unread text, dividing the scrolling action into discrete column-based segments that match the document's logical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to scrolling by adding vertical movement within individual columns while maintaining horizontal position. This creates a two-dimensional scrolling space where users can move vertically through columns independently, rather than the traditional single-dimensional page-wide scrolling
2Device complexity
If conventional scrolling is used on multi-column documents, then the implementation is simple, but the reading experience deteriorates due to loss of contextual information and unnecessary scrolling
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the reader's position and the document structure to dynamically adjust scrolling behavior. The system provides feedback about which column should be scrolled next based on text flow analysis, and adjusts the scrolling execution accordingly to maintain contextual coherence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the document structure and text flow before scrolling occurs. By pre-identifying the target column and anticipated text progression, the system prepares the scrolling action in advance to ensure contextual information is preserved and the reading flow is maintained
3Ease of operation
If users scroll through multi-column documents using traditional methods, then the scrolling operation is straightforward, but the time required to read the document increases due to repeated scrolling up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the scrolling behavior dynamic by adapting it to the document's column structure and the reader's progress. The scrolling speed, direction, and target are dynamically adjusted based on real-time analysis of which column contains the next text and the reader's current position, rather than using fixed uniform scrolling
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to controlling display of a document, where the document comprises multiple columns. An aspect includes displaying the columns of the document in a viewport, receiving a user input defining a downwards scrolling for the document. Another aspect includes determining the lowest numbered column that does not have its lowest point displayed in the viewport. Another aspect includes scrolling upwards only the lowest numbered column that does not have its lowest point displayed in the viewport, while maintaining all other columns stationary in the viewport.