Graphical User Interface Navigation Path Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for computer applications, particularly in analytical and industrial processes, often lack visibility of the path taken through menus, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for interactively navigating a user through a path of menu choices on a graphical user interface, allowing users to select menu items, drill down through levels, and view past selected and unselected menu items, enabling users to jump to different paths and maintain visibility of their navigation history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional menu-driven interface is used, then the system can perform its functions, but the path of menu items taken is not visible on the user interface
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple portions: a first portion displaying the current menu of choices and a second portion displaying the path of menu items taken. This segmentation allows the navigation path to be visible without interfering with the current menu display, resolving the contradiction between information visibility and interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The path of menu items is nested within the overall interface structure, with the second portion containing the navigation history while the first portion contains the current menu. This nesting allows both pieces of information to coexist in a organized manner, maintaining visibility without excessive complexity.
2Loss of information
If all menu options are displayed at once, then users have complete information, but the interface becomes cluttered and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
Menu options are segmented and displayed across different portions of the interface. The current menu is shown in the first portion while the path history is shown in the second portion. This segmentation allows users to see both current options and navigation history without clutter, improving ease of operation while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface utilizes a two-dimensional layout with distinct portions for current menu display and path history display. This dimensional organization allows users to access both types of information simultaneously without overwhelming the interface, reducing navigation difficulty while preserving information completeness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If users must navigate through multiple menu levels to find options, then the interface maintains structure, but the time spent searching for correct menu items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying the path of menu items taken in the second portion of the interface before the user needs to make decisions. This allows users to see the navigation path in advance and quickly identify where they are in the menu structure, reducing search time while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides feedback by continuously displaying the path of menu items taken. This feedback mechanism helps users understand their current location in the menu structure and makes it easier to navigate back to previous options, reducing the time needed to find correct menu items while preserving menu structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the interface allows jumping to different menu paths, then user flexibility increases, but the complexity of tracking navigation state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is segmented into a visible path display portion and a current menu portion. When users jump to different menu paths, the system updates the path display in the second portion to reflect the new navigation state. This segmentation simplifies state tracking by making the navigation path explicitly visible, increasing flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides continuous feedback about the navigation state by displaying the path of menu items taken. This feedback mechanism automatically updates when users jump to different paths, making state tracking transparent and reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high navigation flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of interactively navigating a user through a path of menu choices on a user interface may include displaying a current menu of choices on a first portion of a user interface display. The user interface allows for selecting of a menu item from the current menu of choices and to drill down through levels of menu choices based on selecting a menu item from a prior level of menu choices. A second portion of the user interface display presents past selected and past unselected menu items of the drilled-down levels. The past unselected menu items are displayed as selectable options. The user interface allows for jumping to a different path of menu choices by selecting a past unselected menu item from a previously navigated menu level displayed on the second portion of the user interface display.