Gesture List Navigation with Jog Dial Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing software applications for touch-based input devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is challenging due to the lack of alternative input mechanisms and limited screen size, making it difficult for users to navigate lists of content items efficiently.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that allows users to navigate lists of content items using simple gestures, similar to a jog dial, by displaying a preview of adjacent items while maintaining a detailed view, using a combination of software and hardware components to detect gestures and manage list indices and views dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional list navigation methods are used on touch screens, then users can access content items, but the navigation process requires returning to list view and involves complex multi-step operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation easeVSAvoidnavigation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation operation is segmented into two independent modes: list view mode for browsing and detail view mode for viewing individual items. The jog dial mechanism operates independently within the detail view mode, allowing users to navigate through items without returning to the list view. This segmentation enables efficient navigation by maintaining the current view state while providing access to adjacent items through the jog dial interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A jog dial interface is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the list navigation. The jog dial provides a simplified, direct control interface that allows users to navigate through items in the current view without needing to return to the list view. This intermediary layer abstracts away the complexity of traditional list navigation and provides a more intuitive control experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If detailed view is displayed for a content item, then users can view comprehensive information, but users cannot easily preview adjacent items without returning to list view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidpreview capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying a preview of the current content item alongside the detailed view. This preview mechanism allows users to see information about adjacent items before selecting them, enabling informed navigation decisions. The preview is updated dynamically as users interact with the jog dial, providing continuous feedback about the next item without requiring a complete view switch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from a single-view dimension to a multi-dimensional view by overlaying the preview information on the detail view. Instead of requiring users to switch between list view and detail view, the system adds a preview dimension that operates concurrently with the detailed view, allowing both functions to coexist in the same interface space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional input mechanisms like mouse or keyboard are used, then users can navigate lists efficiently, but these mechanisms are not available on touch-based devices with small screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidinput mechanism adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical input mechanisms (mouse, keyboard) with a touch-based jog dial interface. The jog dial uses touch gestures (tapping, sliding, rotating) that are naturally performed with fingers on touch screens. This substitution maintains the efficiency of conventional navigation while adapting to the constraints of touch-based devices with small screens, where traditional mouse or keyboard inputs are not feasible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Area of stationary object

If the screen size is small, then devices are more portable and compact, but there is limited space for displaying both list view and detail view simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidinterface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface uses a nested structure where the preview information is displayed within or alongside the detailed view without requiring separate full-screen displays. The preview element is integrated into the detail view interface, allowing both views to coexist in the limited screen space. This nesting approach enables users to access multiple levels of information simultaneously without needing to switch between complete view changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9939992B2Methods and systems for navigating a list with gestures

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for facilitating the navigation of a list of content items with gestures are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a computing device detects simple gestures, and in response, display a preview of content items preceding, or following a currently selected content item, from the list of content items. Upon detecting a selection gesture, the computing device updates the view of the currently selected content item to display the newly selected content item.