Dynamic Icon Visibility Control for Location-Based Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-demand service systems often restrict access to location-based services based on user location, limiting availability and user experience, as existing solutions do not dynamically control the presentation of service applications on mobile devices according to location information.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the current location of a mobile computing device using GPS or transceivers and dynamically controls the visibility of graphic icons for location-based services by hiding or displaying them based on service availability, ensuring users can only access services in supported areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system always displays the service application icon, then the user interface is simple and consistent, but users may accidentally access unavailable services in unsupported locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the icon presentation state changeable based on location conditions. The system dynamically switches between displaying and hiding the icon depending on whether the current location supports the service, transforming a static UI element into a dynamic one that adapts to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring location information and using it to control icon visibility. The location data serves as feedback that triggers the appropriate presentation state, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures service availability matches location support
2Reliability
If the system checks location information frequently, then service availability accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by checking location information at specific intervals or triggering events rather than continuously. Location checks occur periodically or when triggered by user actions such as attempting to launch the service application, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining adequate service availability determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by leveraging the device's existing location determination capabilities that are already operational for other purposes. Rather than implementing a separate continuous location monitoring system, the patent reuses the device's built-in location services, reducing additional energy consumption while achieving the needed location awareness
3Ease of operation
If the system hides the icon when service is unavailable, then user confusion is reduced, but users cannot discover services they might access by traveling to supported locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies taking out by selectively removing the icon from the user interface when the service is unavailable at the current location. This extraction prevents user confusion by not presenting inaccessible services, while the icon can be restored when the user travels to a supported location, maintaining service discovery capability
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
Enhances user experience by preventing access to unavailable services, ensuring users are aware of service availability without needing to launch the application and optimizing resource usage by hiding icons for unsupported locations.
Implementation Method 1
determine a current location of a mobile computing device... based on the current location, dynamically control the presentation of a graphic icon
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of operating a mobile device is described. The mobile device can determine its current location and determine whether a location-based service, which can be requested by a user operating the mobile device, is available for use at the current location. In response to determining that the location-based service is unavailable for use at the current location, the mobile device can cause a graphic icon, that would otherwise be displayed one of one or more home pages on a display of the mobile device, to be hidden so that the graphic icon is not displayed with any of the one or more home pages. The graphic icon can correspond to a service application for use with the location-based service.