Dynamic Menu Configuration via Drag-and-Drop Gestures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices lack the ability to easily generate and configure menu items at desired positions and in desired orders, and provide comprehensive information about menu items, making it difficult for users to customize their menu layouts effectively.

Innovation Solution

An interface method and electronic device that allow users to create and arrange menu items by moving and attaching labels to service pages, enabling users to generate new menu items at desired positions and change their order, while displaying related content and sub-menu items, using touch gestures to interact with the menu configuration mode, selection, and positioning commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electronic devices use fixed menu structures, then device complexity is reduced, but user customization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemenu customization capabilityVSAvoidmenu configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The menu structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where users can freely move, add, and remove menu items. The interface allows menu items to be repositioned by dragging and dropping, enabling the menu layout to adapt to user preferences while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive gesture-based controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to independently configure and customize their own menu structures without requiring complex programming or technical knowledge. Through simple touch gestures, users can drag menu items to desired positions, add new items, and organize content according to their preferences, making the customization process self-service oriented.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If menu items are displayed in fixed positions, then interface simplicity is maintained, but user flexibility in arranging menu items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemenu arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface transforms from a static menu display to a dynamic one where menu items can be freely repositioned. Users can drag and drop menu items to any location on the screen, and the system dynamically adjusts the layout to accommodate the new arrangement, providing flexibility while maintaining interface simplicity through gesture-based interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares the interface by displaying all available menu items in an editable state, allowing users to immediately begin repositioning items without requiring complex setup procedures. The drag-and-drop functionality is pre-configured, enabling users to start customizing the menu layout right away with simple gestures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If comprehensive information about menu items is displayed, then information completeness is improved, but screen space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemenu item information completenessVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The information display is segmented into multiple levels: a compact main menu view that conserves screen space, and expanded detailed views that provide comprehensive information about each menu item. Users can access additional information through gestures such as long-pressing or selecting a menu item, which then displays related content, services, or sub-menus in an expanded view that utilizes the full screen real estate when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2442221B1Electronic device and interface method for configurating menu using the same
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2442221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2442221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2442221B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interface method for controlling a menu on an electronic device includes displaying, on a screen of the electronic device, a plurality of service pages and at least one menu object attached to one of the plurality of service pages, receiving a menu configuration mode conversion command to change a configuration of at least one of the plurality of service pages, displaying, on the screen, a menu generating object in response to the received menu configuration mode conversion command, receiving a motion command to move the menu generating object, moving the menu generating object in response to the received motion command, receiving a drop command to attach the moved menu generating object on a particular service page among the plurality of service pages, and attaching the moved menu generating object to the particular service page in response to the drop command.