Elliptical Track UI for Smartwatch Navigation Fluidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interface methods for navigating and selecting interactive items on non-rectangular and small-sized displays, such as smartwatches, are inefficient due to limitations in size and fluidity, making it difficult for users to identify and select small items, especially when a large number of items need to be navigated.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an elliptical track with frames that move along the track, resizing to maintain contact with borders and neighboring frames, allowing interactive items to change size and visibility, enabling smooth navigation and selection on circular displays, with features like Steiner chain formation and transition zones for seamless item replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a selection indicator is moved between different interactive items on a circular display, then navigation is enabled, but the items become small and difficult to identify, and navigation fluidity is reduced with definite jumps between items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resizing of interactive items during navigation. As an item approaches the selection position, it automatically increases in size, providing continuous visual feedback and improving detectability without disrupting navigation fluidity. This dynamic adaptation allows users to easily identify items while maintaining smooth movement throughout the interface.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple interactive items are displayed on a small circular display, then more items can be viewed at once, but the items become too small to navigate and select easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a gradient of item sizes based on their position relative to the selection point. Items closer to the selection position are displayed larger and with higher clarity, while items farther away are smaller. This localized differentiation allows multiple items to be displayed simultaneously while ensuring that selectable items remain easily identifiable and operable.
3Quantity of substance
If a paging method is employed to navigate through a large number of interactive items, then all items can be accessed, but navigation fluidity is limited and users lack indication of the next item
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-displaying preview items in the navigation path before the user reaches them. As users navigate through items, upcoming items are shown in advance, allowing users to anticipate and plan their navigation. This eliminates the need for paging while maintaining fluid navigation and providing clear indication of next items.
4Quantity of substance
If interactive items are made small to fit more on a small display, then display capacity increases, but selection becomes problematic due to finger occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scaling where interactive items automatically increase in size when approached during navigation or when selected. This ensures that items remain compact for high display capacity but become sufficiently large for accurate selection. The dynamic size adjustment eliminates finger occlusion issues while maintaining optimal space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A display and interaction method in a user interface is provided. A display region is provided on the user interface for displaying a plurality of interactive items on a track. The track extends along a path created between an outer elliptical border and an inner elliptical border. The inner border lies within the outer border and a center of the inner border is offset from a center of the outer border. A plurality of elliptical frames are provided along the track, and each frame is in contact with the inner border, outer border, and its adjacent frames. An interactive item is displayed in some of the elliptical frames, and user input may move the frames along the track. The frames change in size as they move along the track.