GUI Icon Display Density Optimization via Selective Filename Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional graphical user interfaces (GUIs) often clutter the screen with filenames, which may not provide useful information and can occupy space that could be used to display more icons, especially for machine-generated file names and certain file types.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that render graphical user interfaces where filenames are absent for specific icons or file types, allowing for the congregation of icons without filenames in a single row, increasing the number of displayable icons by removing the filename display and adjusting icon positions to maximize space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If filenames are displayed for all icons in the GUI, then file identification information is provided to users, but the screen space available for displaying icons is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile identification informationVSAvoidscreen space for icons

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively displaying filenames only for certain file types (text files, executable files, document files) while omitting filenames for other file types (image files, video files, audio files). This localized approach to filename display ensures that file identification information is provided where most beneficial, while preserving screen space for icon display in areas where filenames would be redundant or less useful.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If filenames are displayed for machine-generated file names, then complete file information is available, but the filenames do not convey useful information to users and occupy display space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile information completenessVSAvoiduser interface clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between file types and selectively displaying filenames based on their informational value to users. Machine-generated filenames for file types where they provide minimal user benefit (such as image, video, and audio files) are omitted, while filenames for file types where they provide substantial information (such as text and document files) are displayed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If filenames are removed from the GUI display, then more icons can be displayed in the same space, but file identification information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay space for iconsVSAvoidfile identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality - filenames are displayed locally for specific file types where they provide maximum informational value, while being omitted for file types where they consume valuable display space without proportionate benefit. This selective approach optimizes the balance between information provision and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7614009B2Method for controlling filename display for image and video file types

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A method, system and article of manufacture suitable for rendering a graphical user interface including at least one viewable graphical element, the graphical element having a filename associated therewith, the filename being absent from the user interface.