Freezing Non-Adjacent Table Columns and Rows in UI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Displaying large tabular information on computing devices with limited screen size is challenging, as users struggle to relate information across non-adjacent columns or rows due to scrolling limitations, and existing UI features like freezing panes do not adequately ensure that information of interest remains visible.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a user interface control that allows users to freeze selected non-adjacent columns or rows, and optionally border rows/columns, ensuring they remain visible while scrolling, by aligning and painting these elements at the screen edges, thus maintaining their display even when other columns or rows are brought into view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users scroll through large tables to view all rows and columns, then all information becomes accessible, but users cannot simultaneously view non-adjacent columns or rows for comparison
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the table display into multiple independent frozen panes that can be positioned at different locations. Users can freeze multiple non-adjacent columns or rows as separate frozen segments, allowing simultaneous viewing of disparate table portions without requiring continuous scrolling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the scrolling problem by allowing frozen panes to be positioned at arbitrary locations throughout the table, not just at the beginning. This creates multiple fixed reference points across the table's dimensional space, enabling comparison across non-adjacent areas.
2Loss of information
If users freeze only the first pane (upper/leftmost) to keep headings visible, then column/row labels remain accessible, but information in non-adjacent columns or rows cannot be frozen simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the freeze function universal by allowing any column or row to be frozen, not just the first one. The freeze capability becomes a multi-functional tool that can be applied to multiple locations throughout the table, serving both heading preservation and arbitrary section comparison needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static freeze mechanism (which only freezes the first pane) into a dynamic system where users can selectively freeze multiple panes at different locations. The freeze function adapts to user needs by allowing configuration of which specific columns or rows should remain fixed during scrolling.
3Area of stationary object
If the screen size is small, then the device is portable and handheld-friendly, but the amount of tabular information visible at once is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by freezing specific columns or rows before scrolling occurs. This pre-positioning of critical information at fixed locations allows users to scroll through the table while reference points remain established, enabling continuous access to key data without requiring the entire table to fit on the small screen at once.
Data Source
AI summary
Displaying tabular information in a user interface (UI) on a display screen is enhanced by freezing selected non-adjacent columns (rows). Freezing ensures the display of the selected non-adjacent columns (rows) when scrolling to bring other columns (rows) into the table for display. Border rows (columns) may also be frozen when scrolling. A table in a document navigable by moving a focus to scroll the document may be displayed by a UI control configured to automatically display the frozen border rows (columns). When scrolling a focus in the document at an edge of the display screen to bring the UI control into the display, the UI control aligns a portion of the table with the edge and paints the frozen border row (column). The UI control maintain the display of the border row (column) when scrolling through the table.