Dynamic Search Affordance in Touch Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing search user interfaces on electronic devices can be cumbersome to access, making it inefficient for users to find and interact with search functions and related objects.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving a request to display a user interface on a computer system with a touch-sensitive display, and upon detecting a predetermined condition, updating an affordance to include an indication of a search function, allowing users to access search functions directly within the existing interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate search interface is invoked to access search functions, then search functionality is available, but user interaction efficiency decreases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the search function into the existing user interface by updating an affordance within the current interface to include a search indication, eliminating the need to invoke a separate search interface and enabling direct access to search functionality from the current context
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the search affordance in advance by updating it to include search indication before the user actually needs to search, so that when the user interacts with the interface, the search function is already accessible without requiring additional navigation steps
2Ease of operation
If a separate search interface is invoked to access search functions, then search functionality is available, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the search function into the existing user interface by updating an affordance within the current interface to include a search indication, eliminating the need to invoke a separate search interface and enabling direct access to search functionality from the current context
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing user interface multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original function and search function through the updated affordance, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated search interface and reducing overall system energy consumption
3Productivity
If the affordance is updated to include search indication, then search access efficiency improves, but interface update complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the affordance dynamic by enabling it to update its state based on detected conditions, allowing the search indication to appear or change based on contextual factors without requiring a complete interface redesign
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for providing and updating user interfaces for search functions are provided. An example process includes, at a computer system including a touch sensitive display and one or more input devices: receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to display a user interface; in response to receiving the request to display the user interface, displaying, via the touch sensitive display, the user interface including an affordance including an indication of a number of pages of the user interface; and while displaying the user interface: detecting an occurrence of a predetermined condition; and in response to detecting the occurrence of the predetermined conditions, updating the affordance to include an indication of a search function.