Concentric Hierarchical List Browser for Mobile Data Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current browsing tools for hierarchically structured data on computer systems, especially on devices with limited display size like smartphones and PDAs, are inefficient due to excessive scrolling and cumbersome navigation, limiting user experience.
Innovation Solution
A concentric hierarchical list browser is implemented, where user interface objects are displayed in circular formats, allowing for the selection of data objects that shrink to reveal nested levels, maintaining a fixed interface size and reducing scrolling needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional tree-like structured lists are used for browsing hierarchically structured data, then the data hierarchy can be displayed clearly, but the display length exceeds the physical display dimensions and requires excessive scrolling motions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional linear vertical list structure into a circular interface where data items are arranged around the circumference. This dimensional change allows the display to wrap around edges, effectively infinite-scrolling within a fixed physical boundary, thus displaying more data without requiring additional vertical space or time-consuming scrolling gestures.
2Loss of information
If traditional tree-like structured lists are used for browsing hierarchically structured data, then the data hierarchy can be displayed clearly, but the navigation becomes repetitive and cumbersome on devices with limited display size
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging data items in a circular layout rather than a linear vertical list, the interface allows users to navigate through data by following the circular path, reducing the need for repetitive up-and-down scrolling gestures. The circular arrangement naturally accommodates hierarchical data while providing more intuitive navigation on small screens.
3Volume of moving object
If the display size is limited (as in smartphones and PDAs), then the device portability is improved, but the browsing efficiency decreases due to excessive scrolling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The circular interface arrangement allows the display to utilize the full perimeter of the screen, effectively increasing the display capacity within the same physical boundaries. This enables more data to be viewed and navigated through without requiring larger device dimensions, thus maintaining portability while improving browsing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure involves computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for browsing hierarchically structured data using a concentric hierarchical list browser. A computer-implemented method includes displaying, using at least one hardware processor, a first-level circular user interface object with at least one first-level user interface object representing a first-level data object. Responsive to receiving an indication of a selection of the at least one first-level user interface object, decreasing the diameter of the first-level circular interface object, and displaying in a second-level circular user interface object at least one second-level user interface object representing a second-level data object associated with the first-level data object, wherein the second-level circular user interface object has an inner circular edge and an outer circular edge, and wherein the inner circular edge of the second-level circular user interface object is attached to the outer circular edge of the first-level circular user interface object.