Curved Path Graphical User Interface for Mobile Terminal Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile terminal user interfaces, particularly in developing countries, face challenges with text-based menu systems that are inconvenient, non-intuitive, and inefficient in utilizing display space, especially for non-Western and illiterate users, and previous graphical user interfaces do not optimally utilize display area or provide clear hierarchical navigation.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with a focused region, an unfocused region, and a descriptor region on the display, where user interface items are presented along a non-linear path, with the focused item in front view and others in perspective, optimizing display space and providing descriptive information about the focused item's functionality and position in the hierarchical structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If more information is presented on the display, then the user interface provides more functionality and information, but the display area is limited and becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging user interface items along a curved path that wraps around the display perimeter, utilizing the circular boundary space efficiently. This allows multiple items to be displayed simultaneously without cluttering the central display area, resolving the contradiction between information presentation and display space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The display area is segmented into distinct functional zones: a focal point area for the currently selected item, a curved path area for navigating through multiple items, and a descriptor area for displaying information. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose without interfering with others, enabling comprehensive information presentation within limited display space.
2Device complexity
If a text-based menu system is used, then the user interface is simple to implement, but it is non-intuitive and inconvenient for users, especially non-Western and illiterate users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual differentiation through color and graphical representation of menu items along the curved path, with the currently selected item highlighted at the focal point. This graphical approach replaces text-based menus with intuitive visual cues that are accessible to all users regardless of literacy or language background, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved path arrangement acts as an intermediary between the user and the menu system, providing a natural navigation flow that guides users through options in a logical sequence. This visual pathway mediates the interaction by making the hierarchical structure apparent through spatial arrangement rather than text labels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical menu structure is used, then the user interface can organize multiple features and functions, but navigation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional linear or nested hierarchical menu into a curved circular arrangement, allowing users to navigate through multiple levels and items simultaneously along the path. This spatial reorganization enables faster access to functions by eliminating the need to traverse through intermediate text-based menu levels, reducing navigation time while maintaining hierarchical organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved path navigation system serves multiple functions: it displays the hierarchical structure, indicates current position, shows available options, and enables navigation all within a single visual framework. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate interface elements, streamlining the navigation process.
4Ease of operation
If graphical user interface elements are added, then the user interface becomes more intuitive and user-friendly, but the display area available for content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the peripheral circular space of the display for graphical navigation elements, leaving the central display area available for content presentation. By arranging graphical icons and navigation elements along the curved path at the display perimeter, the interface achieves high intuitiveness without encroaching on the central content area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functional qualities: the central area is optimized for content display with high visual quality, while the peripheral curved path area contains graphical navigation elements. This local differentiation allows each region to serve its optimal function without compromising the other, maintaining both intuitiveness and content visibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (100; 200; 300) comprising display means (203; 303; 436) for displaying a graphical user interface for providing access to selectable user interface items (512); input means (210; 310; 438) for navigating among items (512) of the graphical user interface; and control means. The control means are for presenting a plurality of user interface items (512) along a predefined path (510) on the display means (203) in the graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having a focus area (524) for focusing on any desired one of said plurality of user interface items (512) in response to user input via said input means (210). The control means are also for presenting the currently focused user interface item (512) in front view having a perspective angle of zero inside said focus area (524). The control means are also for presenting user interface items (512) other than the focused one among said plurality of user interface items (512) in perspective views outside of said focus area (524) and inside said graphical user interface, such that an absolute value of a perspective angle for each item increases according to a distance to the focus area (524) along the path (510).