Document Content Object Sharing via Separation Animation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sharing content objects in electronic documents are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple steps and placing a significant cognitive burden on users, particularly in battery-operated devices where they also consume excessive energy.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that allows users to concurrently display two documents, detect specific user inputs to create a copy of a content object, and initiate an animation that separates the object from its original document, displaying icons for sharing or moving the object to another document, thereby simplifying the sharing process and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional methods for sharing content objects are used, then the sharing function is achieved, but the process is cumbersome and requires multiple steps, increasing cognitive burden and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sharing content objectVSAvoidcomplexity of sharing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sharing process is segmented into distinct phases: selection phase (where user selects content object), animation phase (where object visually separates from document), and sharing phase (where sharing options appear). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently and makes the overall process more manageable and intuitive for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when a user selects a content object and immediately initiating the separation animation and preparing sharing options. This eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through multiple menu commands, as the system anticipates the user's intent and prepares the sharing interface in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If conventional sharing methods are used, then content objects can be shared, but the process takes longer than necessary, wasting energy in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of sharing content objectVSAvoidenergy consumption during sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system skips intermediate steps by transitioning directly from content object selection to the sharing interface through a smooth animation. Instead of requiring users to complete multiple discrete actions (select, then find menu, then click share), the system rushes through the intermediate states by automatically preparing and displaying sharing options immediately after detection, significantly reducing the time and energy required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of information

If existing sharing interfaces are used, then users can share content objects, but significant cognitive burden is placed on users due to multiple steps and obscure menu commands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecognitive burden on userVSAvoiduser effort required for sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system serves itself by automatically detecting user intent and managing the sharing process. When a user selects a content object, the system automatically initiates the separation animation, prepares the sharing interface with relevant options, and presents them to the user. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to remember or search for menu commands, significantly reducing cognitive burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional content object manipulation methods are used, then content objects can be moved or shared, but the process requires several steps and obscure menu commands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of content object sharingVSAvoidnumber of steps in sharing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same user input gesture (selecting a content object) serves multiple functions: it initiates the separation animation, triggers the sharing interface, and prepares the content object for various sharing destinations (other documents, external applications, cloud services). This universal approach allows a single action to activate multiple sharing pathways, maintaining versatility while reducing the number of steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11783117B2Device, method, and graphical user interface for sharing a content object in a document

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device with a display: concurrently displays a first electronic document and a second electronic document, the first electronic document including a displayed content object; detects a first user input that starts on the content object; in response to a determination that the first user input corresponds to a first command, creates and displays a copy of the content object in the second electronic document; and, in response to a determination that the first user input corresponds to a second command, distinct from the first command: selects the content object; displays an animation of the content object separating from the first electronic document; and initiates display of a plurality of icons proximate to the separated content object, the plurality of icons including at least one icon to initiate display of a user interface for sending the content object to one or more other users.