Expandable Collapsible UI Controls for Display Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional graphical user interfaces (GUIs) face challenges in optimizing display space, particularly in pervasive devices with limited screen real estate, where individual user interface controls cannot be collapsed or expanded independently, leading to inefficient use of space and the need for scroll bars.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies individual user interface input controls to be collapsed or expanded, displaying only static text labels and associated twistie controls to conserve display space, with optional default settings for collapsing or expanding specific controls, allowing granular control over screen space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all user interface controls are displayed in full form, then complete information is visible, but display space is excessively consumed requiring scroll bars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display area into two segments: collapsed controls (showing only text labels) and expanded controls (showing full control elements). This segmentation allows selective visibility where most controls remain collapsed to save space, while specific controls can be expanded on demand, resolving the contradiction between information visibility and display space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control expansion where controls transition from a default collapsed state to an expanded state when users interact with twistie controls. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to adapt between compact display (saving space) and full display (showing information), eliminating the need for scroll bars while maintaining access to all control elements
2Area of stationary object
If individual controls are collapsed to save space, then display space is optimized, but control elements become less visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces twistie controls as intermediary elements that mediate between the collapsed and expanded states of control elements. These twistie controls serve as visual indicators and interaction points that allow users to expand specific controls when needed, maintaining space optimization while providing on-demand access to full control visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through twistie controls that visually indicate which controls are collapsed and provide a mechanism for users to expand them. This feedback system ensures that users can identify and access control elements even when most controls are collapsed, resolving the visibility issue while maintaining space savings
Data Source
AI summary
A display space optimized form. The display space optimized form can include one or more user interface input controls individually selected to be collapsed by default when rendered in a GUI. The form further can include one or more user interface input controls individually selected to be expanded by default when rendered in the GUI. One or more twistie controls can be configured in a collapsed position. Specifically, each one of the twistie controls configured in a collapsed position can have an association with one of the user interface input controls individually selected to be collapsed. Finally, one or more twistie controls can be configured in an expanded position. In that regard, each one of the twistie controls configured in an expanded position can have an association with one of the user interface input controls individually selected to be expanded.