Flexible Grid User Interface for Handheld Device Application Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld devices face challenges in organizing and accessing a large number of applications due to limited display space, making it difficult for users to locate specific applications within a grid-based user interface, which becomes increasingly cumbersome as the number of applications grows.
Innovation Solution
A flexible grid user interface is introduced, allowing for zooming and panning operations, enabling the grid to exceed the physical display size, with cells configurable into recognizable shapes like letters, and allowing users to zoom in or out and pan across the grid diagonally, thereby managing a multitude of application icons efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed grid display is used to organize applications, then the display structure is simple and easy to implement, but the user interface becomes cumbersome and difficult to navigate when the number of applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic grid display that transitions between compact and expanded states. The grid cells can dynamically adjust their size and spacing based on user interaction, allowing the interface to adapt from a space-efficient compact view to an easier-to-navigate expanded view with larger clickable areas and visible connections between applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual depth through layered grid cells that display connection information. When users interact with the grid, additional information layers are revealed, creating a multi-dimensional navigation experience that provides context about application relationships without requiring users to leave the current view or perform tedious page turning.
2Quantity of substance
If the grid size is increased to display more applications, then more applications can be viewed, but the display area constraints cause information to be crowded and harder to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grid display into distinct, well-defined cells with clear visual separators. Each application is contained in its own cell with consistent spacing and borders, making it easier to locate specific applications even when many are displayed. The segmented structure maintains visual organization and prevents information crowding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the grid cells based on their content and state. Active applications have distinct visual indicators, connected applications show relationship indicators, and the cells themselves have varying visual weights based on their importance or usage frequency, helping users quickly locate and identify applications.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple pages are created to organize applications, then all applications can be accommodated, but page turning becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple application views into a single continuous grid display rather than requiring separate pages. The grid can be scrolled and navigated within one unified view, eliminating the need for page turning while still accommodating a large number of applications. Related applications can be visually connected across what would traditionally be page boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous scrolling and navigation within the grid display, allowing users to smoothly move through applications without interruption or page transitions. This continuous navigation maintains the user's context and workflow, reducing the time and cognitive load associated with locating applications compared to discrete page turning.
4Area of stationary object
If the display area is reduced to fit handheld device constraints, then the device remains portable, but information grouping and cohesion are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested visual elements within grid cells, where connection information and application details are layered within the cell structure. This nesting allows rich information presentation within the constrained display area by utilizing vertical and horizontal space efficiently, maintaining information grouping and cohesion without requiring additional display real estate.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a flexible grid user interface for a handheld device. In an embodiment of the invention, a flexible grid display management method can be provided. The method can include generating a grid of different cells in a user interface in a handheld device, each cell linking to an application or content for an application. The method also can include displaying the grid in the user interface in the handheld device and receiving an event directing a zooming operation on the grid. Finally, the method can include performing the zooming operation on the grid responsive to the event directing a zooming operation. Optionally, the method also can include receiving an event directing a panning operation on the grid performing the panning operation on the grid responsive to the event directing a panning operation.