eReader Block Content Thumbnail Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current eReader platforms struggle to effectively display block level content, such as tables and aspect ratio sensitive materials, as they either maintain the aspect ratio at the expense of cutting off display portions or adjust to fit the screen, making the content difficult to read.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a thumbnail for block level content, allowing users to preview and adjust the display with zoom, scroll, and aspect ratio preservation, enabling the user to view the entire content while maintaining readability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the aspect ratio is maintained to display block level content, then the content integrity is preserved, but the display area is reduced and portions are cut off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent integrityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The block level content is divided into multiple thumbnails that can be navigated through. Each thumbnail represents a portion of the complete content, allowing users to access different segments by scrolling or navigating between thumbnails while maintaining the aspect ratio of each individual thumbnail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a two-dimensional display constraint to a multi-dimensional navigation space by introducing thumbnail sequences, scrollable areas, and pagination. This allows the complete content to be accessed across multiple dimensions (horizontal scrolling, vertical scrolling, page navigation) while each individual thumbnail maintains its aspect ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the content is adjusted to fit the screen, then the display area is maximized, but the aspect ratio is distorted and content becomes difficult to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaspect ratio preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forcing the entire block level content to fit on one screen (which would distort the aspect ratio), the content is segmented into multiple thumbnails. Each thumbnail maintains the correct aspect ratio and fits within the display area, while the complete content is accessed by navigating through the sequence of thumbnails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple thumbnail copies of the block level content are created, each representing a different portion or view of the complete content. These thumbnails are displayed in a navigable sequence, allowing users to access different portions of the content without distorting the aspect ratio of any individual thumbnail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the font size is increased to improve readability, then the text becomes more readable, but the number of virtual pages increases and text per page decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereadabilityVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates multiple thumbnails from the block level content at the time of content creation or caching. These thumbnails are prepared in advance with appropriate sizing and formatting, so when users want to view the content at different font sizes, the pre-prepared thumbnails are immediately available without requiring regeneration or increasing page counts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2663932B1Systems, methods, and interfaces for display of inline content and block level content on an access device
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 THOMSON REUTERS ENTERPRISE CENTRE GMBH
  • EP2663932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2663932B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2663932B1 patent drawingFigure 1B

AI summary

A method includes receiving a signal associated with a markup language file where the markup language file comprises inline content and block level content. The block level content has a first portion and second portion where the first portion and the second portion have a predetermined spatial relation. The method also includes receiving an indication of an adjustment to display the second portion where the predetermined spatial relation between the first portion and the second portion is preserved. The method also includes generating, in response to the indication, a display signal associated with the first portion and the adjustment to display the second portion, and then transmitting the display signal.