Dynamic Icon Layout for Handheld GUI Orientation

Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld electronic devices face challenges in efficiently organizing and displaying icons on small screens due to limited space, with existing GUIs offering limited customization and often requiring users to scroll or expand, leading to cluttered interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface that dynamically arranges icons based on screen orientation, using an orientation sensor to change the layout between portrait and landscape modes, providing a reduced icon menu in portrait and an expanded menu in landscape, allowing for intuitive gesture-based input to manage icon display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If icons are decreased in size to fit more on the screen, then the quantity of displayed icons is improved, but the readability of icons deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displayed iconsVSAvoidicon readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the icon menu expandable and collapsible based on user interaction. When expanded, the menu provides a larger display area for more icons with adequate size. When collapsed, it presents a compact view for quick access. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt between displaying more icons and maintaining readability based on current user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an expansion/collapse dimension to the icon menu interface. Instead of merely scaling icon sizes in the existing 2D space, the menu can transition between compact and expanded states, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to icon display organization. This allows more icons to be displayed with sufficient size by utilizing the expanded dimensional state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the icon menu is expanded to show more icons, then the quantity of displayed icons is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displayed iconsVSAvoidGUI complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the icon menu to automatically expand and collapse based on simple user gestures (such as swiping or tapping). The system serves itself by detecting user intent and adjusting the display state without requiring complex configuration menus or multiple interaction steps. This reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining the capability to display numerous icons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If limited customization is provided for icon display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGUI customization complexityVSAvoidicon display adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the icon menu expandable and collapsible based on user interaction. When expanded, the menu provides a larger display area for more icons with adequate size. When collapsed, it presents a compact view for quick access. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt between displaying more icons and maintaining readability based on current user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an expansion/collapse dimension to the icon menu interface. Instead of merely scaling icon sizes in the existing 2D space, the menu can transition between compact and expanded states, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to icon display organization. This allows more icons to be displayed with sufficient size by utilizing the expanded dimensional state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances user experience by optimizing icon display on small screens, reducing clutter, and simplifying navigation by automatically adjusting the icon layout based on device orientation, making it easier for users to access all icons with minimal intuitive input.

Implementation Method 1

using an orientation sensor to change the layout between portrait and landscape modes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOrientation sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10331299B2Method and handheld electronic device having a graphical user interface which arranges icons dynamically

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A graphical user interface for a media player application is described. A method is provided comprising: (i) determining a screen orientation of the GUI in accordance with a device orientation of the handheld electronic device; (ii) displaying a first user interface screen on a display of the handheld electronic device in a portrait screen orientation when the screen orientation is a portrait screen orientation, wherein the first user interface screen comprises an album list; and (iii) displaying a second user interface screen on the display of the handheld electronic device in a landscape screen orientation when the screen orientation is a landscape screen orientation, wherein the second user interface screen comprises an array of album art images arranged in rows and columns.