Expandable Widget Interface for Single-Page Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users interacting with web and mobile site widgets face limitations in full interactivity, leading to navigation speed losses and increased bandwidth consumption due to the need to switch between pages, which also affects site operators' traffic and revenue.

Innovation Solution

A widget-based interface is implemented with a toggle button that allows widgets to be maximized within a single interface, enabling full-page interaction without leaving the original page, and auto-minimization to restore the original layout, enhancing user experience and reducing bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a widget is minimized within the allocated space, then the layout is compact and space is preserved, but the user cannot fully interact with the widget functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidget display areaVSAvoidwidget interactivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The widget interface dynamically changes its display state between minimized and maximized modes. When the user interacts with the widget (e.g., clicks on it), the interface transitions from a compact minimized state to a full maximized state that enables complete widget functionality. This dynamic state change allows the same widget to serve both space-efficient display and full interactivity needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the user clicks a hyperlink in the widget, then the user can access detailed information, but a new page is launched and navigation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to detailed informationVSAvoidnavigation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The widget interface is segmented into two functional modes: a minimized mode for compact display and a maximized mode for full interaction. Instead of navigating to a separate page, the widget expands within the same page context to provide detailed information and full functionality. This segmentation allows the user to access complete widget capabilities without leaving the original page, thereby maintaining navigation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the user navigates to a new page for full widget functionality, then complete interaction is enabled, but bandwidth consumption increases and site operators lose traffic flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull widget functionalityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The widget interface merges the functionality of a separate full-page widget interaction into the current page context. By expanding the widget in-place rather than redirecting to a new page, the system combines the benefits of full widget functionality with the advantages of staying on the same page, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and maintaining continuous site traffic flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10969927B2Displaying information using expandable widgets

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 CLIC INC THE

AI summary

Displaying information is disclosed. A plurality of widgets is provided within a single interface. At least one widget in the plurality of widgets includes at least one resizing interface element. The one widget is associated with a first set of dimensions. A maximize request is received, through an interaction with the resizing interface element. A second set of dimensions is determined. At least one widget is displayed in an area defined by the second set of dimensions and within the single interface.