Dynamic Edge Cell Expansion for Table Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic document displays on varying devices struggle to effectively render data and information in a visually appealing and understandable manner due to differences in display sizes and resolutions, limiting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows selective field expansion in electronically displayed tables by rendering edge cells wider in response to user input, enabling more information to be displayed without altering the default width upon input termination, thus enhancing visual appeal and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display renders more information in a limited space, then the quantity of information displayed increases, but the readability and visual appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The edge cell width is made dynamic rather than fixed. When the user interacts with the table (hovering or selecting), the edge cell automatically expands to display more information. When the interaction ends, it returns to its original width. This dynamic adjustment allows the display to adapt between showing more information and maintaining readability based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The width parameter of the edge cell is changed in response to user interaction. The cell transitions from a default width to an expanded width, allowing more information to be displayed within the same physical space without permanently altering the layout or sacrificing readability when not in use.
2Loss of information
If the edge cell width is increased to display more information, then the quantity of information displayed increases, but the overall table layout stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table layout maintains stability through dynamic adjustment. The edge cell width changes temporarily in response to user interaction, allowing more information to be visible, but automatically returns to its original state when interaction ends, preserving the overall table layout stability and structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge cell expansion follows a periodic pattern: it expands when the user hovers or selects, and contracts when the user moves away. This periodic action allows information visibility to be enhanced temporarily without permanently disrupting the table's stable composition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display adapts to different screen sizes, then the adaptability increases, but the information display completeness deteriorates on smaller screens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly scaling down the entire table on smaller screens, the patent applies local quality enhancement by allowing the edge cell to expand horizontally when needed. This localized adjustment enables more information to be displayed in the edge cell area without affecting the overall adaptability of the table layout to different screen sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
When screen space is limited, the edge cell utilizes the horizontal dimension by expanding its width to display more information. This dimensional adjustment allows the display to accommodate more information on smaller screens without compromising the vertical layout or overall adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enabling selective field expansion in an electronically displayed table is provided. The method includes rendering at least a portion of the electronic table on a display, the electronic table including a plurality of cells, each cell associated with a unique row and column combination, wherein the rendered portion of the electronic table includes a plurality of cells including at least one edge cell containing information; receiving a user input indicating a direction away from the edge cell; in response to the user input, rendering the edge cell with a width wider than a default width to thereby display more information in the wider width than was displayed in the default width; and upon termination of the user input, rendering the edge cell with the default width.