Direct List Editing via Gesture-Based Inline Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collaboration and content management systems require users to perform additional, cumbersome steps to manipulate list content and structure, leading to an undesirable user experience due to the need to open separate forms or settings pages.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enables direct manipulation of list content and structure within the context of an electronic list, using client and server systems to provide visualization features and interactive functionality, allowing users to edit list items without leaving the list view, through pre-selection, post-selection, and editing states, with visual cues and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users open separate forms or settings pages to manipulate list content and structure, then the system provides structured data management capabilities, but the user experience becomes cumbersome and requires additional interaction steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of list manipulationVSAvoidinteraction paradigm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the list display view with the editing functionality by allowing users to manipulate list content and structure directly within the list interface. Edit modes are activated through simple gestures (tap, long-press, swipe) that transform list items into editable states without requiring navigation to separate forms or settings pages, thus combining viewing and editing operations in a single unified interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service editing capabilities where list items automatically enter edit mode through user gestures, allowing direct manipulation of content and structure. The interface adapts to user actions by dynamically switching between display and edit modes, enabling users to perform operations inline without external form navigation, making the system serve itself through intuitive gesture-based interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides rich customization options for list management, then the functionality is enhanced, but the number of interaction steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelist customization capabilityVSAvoidtime for manipulation operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares the interface for editing operations in advance by detecting user gestures (tap, long-press, swipe) and pre-loading edit modes. When a user initiates an edit gesture, the corresponding list item immediately transitions to an editable state with all necessary customization options already available, eliminating the time delay that would occur if users had to navigate to separate configuration pages first

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically adapts between display and edit modes based on user gestures. List items can be selectively transformed into editable states, allowing users to customize content and structure in real-time within the same view. This dynamic switching enables rich customization functionality while maintaining a streamlined interaction flow without requiring users to traverse multiple static pages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the system requires users to leave the list view for editing, then data integrity is maintained through separate forms, but the user experience becomes rigid and discouraging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management integrityVSAvoiduser experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the data display and data editing functions into a single unified interface. Users can manipulate list content and structure directly within the list view through gesture-based edit modes, eliminating the need to navigate to separate forms while maintaining data integrity through controlled edit states and confirmation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary edit mode that acts as a mediator between the display view and data submission. When users activate edit mode through gestures, an intermediate editable state is created where changes can be made and reviewed before final submission, ensuring data integrity while allowing flexible in-place editing without requiring separate form navigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9430458B2List-based interactivity features as part of modifying list data and structure

Publication Date: 2016.08.30 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Embodiments are provided that include interactive electronic list features and functionality, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a method is configured to enable users to directly manipulate list content and/or structure in context. A system of an embodiment includes at least one client and a server system to manage aspects of electronic lists, including providing visualization features that correspond with pre-selection, post-selection, and/or editing states or inputs. Other embodiments are also disclosed.