Dynamic Grid Interface for Multimedia Event Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in navigating and searching for multimedia events, such as television shows, on web pages that lack search engines, requiring manual scrolling, and when search engines are provided, results are often displayed as lists rather than visually intuitive grids.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that presents multimedia events in two grids, with a user-movable window allowing users to dynamically scroll through a second grid to update the first grid, displaying a larger set of time-bounded events, and providing additional information upon hover or selection, enhancing search and navigation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a search engine is provided on the web page, then search capability is improved, but the results are displayed as a list rather than a visual grid, reducing intuitiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a miniature copy (thumbnail grid) of the main program grid and places it within the search results page. This thumbnail grid replicates the visual structure and navigation capabilities of the original grid, allowing users to visually search and navigate programs without losing the intuitive grid layout. The copy maintains the spatial relationships and visual cues of the full grid while fitting within the search results context.
2Device complexity
If no search engine is provided, then the page structure remains simple, but users must manually scroll through the grid to find programs, increasing time and frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thumbnail grid as an intermediary navigation tool between the user and the full program grid. This intermediary structure provides search functionality and program access without requiring users to manually scroll through the entire grid. The thumbnail grid acts as a mediator that accelerates navigation while maintaining the original grid's visual structure and information display.
3Loss of information
If the entire grid is displayed at once, then all programs are visible, but the page becomes too large and difficult to navigate on standard web pages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full program grid into two parts: a main grid for detailed program information and a miniature thumbnail grid for navigation. The thumbnail grid divides the overall information space into manageable sections, allowing users to navigate to different time periods or channels by interacting with the segmented thumbnail view. This segmentation enables comprehensive program visibility while maintaining a manageable page layout.
4Productivity
If users scroll manually through the grid to find programs, then no additional technology is needed, but user frustration increases and search efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of programs into a thumbnail grid structure that pre-calculates and displays navigable segments of the full program grid. This preliminary arrangement allows users to quickly locate programs through visual scanning of the thumbnail view rather than manual scrolling. The preliminary structuring of information in the thumbnail grid reduces search time and user frustration by providing an organized overview before detailed viewing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are computer implemented methods, systems, and non-transitory media for representing a plurality of time-bounded events in first and second grids. The first grid has a larger size than the second grid. The second grid represents a second set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. A user-movable window is presented at a first position within the second grid where it encompasses a first portion of the second grid. The time-bounded events in the first portion of the second grid are displayed as a first set of time-bounded events in the first grid. Responsive to user instructions to move a position of the window from the first position to a second position within the second grid, the window is moved to the second position where it encompasses a third set of time-bounded events. Further, the first grid is updated to display the third set of time-bounded events.