Touchscreen File Navigation via Concentric Circle Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for copying or moving files or folders to a subfolder are time-consuming and inconvenient, as they require opening the target folder and manually pasting or dragging the files, which is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A file manipulation system with a detecting module, display control module, identifying module, and executing module that uses a touch screen interface with concentric circles to represent directory structures, allowing users to drag and drop files by determining user interactions and automatically navigating the directory structure based on user input, enabling efficient file movement or copying within a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the traditional method of opening target folder and manually pasting/dragging is used, then file manipulation can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes the directory structure by identifying all parent folders along the path from source to target before the user completes the drag operation. When the user initiates a drag action, the system has already prepared the navigation path and target location information, allowing for immediate execution without requiring the user to manually navigate through multiple folders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically handles the navigation between source and target locations. Instead of requiring direct user interaction with each folder level, the system uses an automated navigation mediator that translates the user's high-level drag gesture into a sequence of automated folder navigations, significantly reducing the operational steps required.
2Ease of operation
If manual opening and pasting is required for subfolders, then file operations can be completed, but the operation process becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the file manipulation process automatically handles its own navigation and execution without requiring user intervention at intermediate steps. Once the user initiates the drag operation, the system autonomously navigates through the directory structure, identifies the correct target location, and completes the copy or move operation without requiring the user to manually open each folder or confirm intermediate actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate operations (folder navigation, target location identification, copy/move execution) into a single unified drag operation. Instead of requiring users to perform each step separately, the system combines these operations into one atomic action, simplifying the overall process while maintaining complete functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary file manipulation method determines whether the user manipulation on the file or file folder is a moving manipulation. The method then reads a directory structure of each drive from a storage unit when detecting that the user manipulation on the file or file folder is the moving manipulation, determines a maximum folder depth of the directory structure of the one or more drives, and further controls to display a user interface showing the directory structure with the maximum folder depth. Next, the method detects the user manipulation in the user interface, and determines a position where the icon is dragged to is a target position when detecting that the user manipulation is dragging the icon to the position in the ring portion of the sector. The method then moves the manipulated file or file folder to a target drive or file folder corresponding to the target position.