Graphical User Interface Layering for Item Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces fail to effectively differentiate the item of interest from the rest of the list, often relying on uniform graphical effects that do not enhance user intuitiveness or aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a graphical user interface with multiple layers, where a first graphics layer displays a list of elements using a first graphics effect and a second graphics layer uses a distinct second graphics effect, allowing simultaneous alteration of the display based on user input, with optional additional layers for enhanced visibility and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single graphics layer is used to display the list of items, then the interface structure is simple, but the item of interest cannot be effectively differentiated from the rest of the list
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface is divided into multiple graphics layers: a first graphics layer for displaying the list of items and a second graphics layer for displaying the highlight effect. This segmentation allows the highlight to be applied independently to the item of interest without affecting the overall list structure, effectively differentiating the selected item while maintaining interface organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The highlight effect is moved from the same dimensional plane as the list items to a separate graphics layer dimension. This layering approach adds a vertical dimension to the interface structure, allowing the highlight to be superimposed on specific items without altering the horizontal layout of the list, thus achieving effective differentiation.
2Loss of information
If a highlight layer is added to differentiate the item of interest, then item differentiation is improved, but the interface structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The list of items is copied and displayed on both the first graphics layer and the second graphics layer. The second layer serves as a template for applying the highlight effect, which can then be selectively activated for the item of interest. This copying approach simplifies the overall structure by using the same data source for both layers while enabling flexible highlight control.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform graphical effects are applied to all items, then the interface is easy to implement, but the item of interest is not effectively highlighted
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical effect (highlight) is applied locally only to the item of interest on the second graphics layer, while other items remain unaffected. This local application of quality allows the interface to maintain simple uniform rendering for most items while providing distinctive visual feedback for the selected item, resolving the contradiction between implementation simplicity and effective highlighting.
Data Source
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Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A method for generating a graphical user interface with a list of elements, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a list (150) of elements; creating a first graphics layer (110) in front of a second graphics layer (120), the first graphics layer (110) comprising a blank area (112) configured to allow visibility of the contents of the lower layers (120) in a final combined picture; configuring the first graphics layer (110) to display the list (150) of elements using a first graphics effect and configuring the second graphics layer (120) to display the list (150) of elements using a second graphics effect different from the first graphics effect; receiving an input for navigating the list (150) of elements; processing the list (150) of elements according to the received input to alter the display of the elements (151-155) simultaneously on the first graphics layer (110) and on the second graphics layer (120).