Dynamic Menu System Gesture Navigation for Small Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex menu systems on smaller devices face challenges due to limited display real estate, making it difficult for users to navigate and access various menu options efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic menu system that allows users to interact with menus using gestures, such as pinching and circular motions, to traverse multiple levels of context menus without removing their pointing device from the touchscreen, enabling intuitive navigation and selection of menu items on devices with restricted display areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional menu systems are used on smaller devices, then full functionality is available, but navigation becomes difficult and user efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The menu system dynamically adapts its display based on the current context and user selection, rather than showing all menu items statically. The menu transitions between different states (full menu, contextual menu, sub-menu) based on user interaction, allowing the interface to be flexible and responsive to user needs while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu system is divided into multiple levels and contexts. Instead of displaying all menu items at once, the menu is segmented into primary menu items and contextual sub-menus that appear based on user selection. This segmentation allows the interface to present information in manageable portions, improving navigability on small screens while preserving access to all functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all menu items are displayed simultaneously, then complete menu options are accessible, but display space is insufficient on smaller devices
Solution Approach 1:
The menu system utilizes temporal dimension by displaying menu items sequentially rather than spatially all at once. When a user selects a menu item, a contextual menu appears at a different position (another dimension in terms of screen space), allowing multiple levels of menu options to be accessed without competing for the same limited display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu structure implements nesting where contextual menus are contained within or adjacent to the main menu, and sub-menus are nested within contextual menus. This nested arrangement allows multiple levels of menu options to be organized hierarchically, enabling complete menu functionality to be accessed through a compact, space-efficient structure on small displays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If contextual menus appear at the same location as the trigger, then menu functionality is maintained, but user interaction becomes cumbersome on touchscreens
Solution Approach 1:
The contextual menu is extracted from the exact trigger location and positioned at an offset location on the touchscreen. This extraction allows the menu to appear in a position that is easily accessible to the user's finger or stylus, separate from the original trigger point, thereby improving ease of interaction while maintaining full menu functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary positioning mechanism that places the contextual menu at an optimal location between the trigger point and the user's natural interaction area. This intermediary position serves as a mediator that maintains the functional connection to the trigger while improving ergonomic accessibility for touchscreen interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface configuration may permit a user to make selections while the interface is dynamically adjusting and reconfiguring its layout and appearance for optimized user satisfaction. One example method of operation may include receiving an input command on a first menu displayed on a touch receptive surface of a user device and modifying a current view of the first menu by moving a menu item either upward or downward among a number of different menu options. The method may also include selecting the menu item responsive to the received input command and also receiving an additional input command to select a functionality to apply to the menu item, and applying the functionality to the menu item.