Graphical User Interface Scroll Gesture for Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with graphical user interfaces face limitations in displaying content due to the space occupied by selectable functions, restricting the amount of content that can be shown to users.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that control the display of a graphical user interface by allowing user input to scroll beyond content edges, revealing additional functions, with selected functions displayed differently and executed upon termination of the input gesture, enabling intuitive single-gesture operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If selectable functions are displayed in the graphical user interface, then user interaction capability is improved, but the amount of content that can be displayed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidamount of content displayed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into distinct regions: a content display area and a function selection area. The content portion displays the main content while the function portion contains selectable functions. This segmentation allows both content and functions to coexist without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between displaying more content and maintaining user interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the interface layout by positioning the function selection area below the content display area. This dimensional arrangement allows the content to be displayed in the upper portion while functions are accessible in the lower portion, enabling both high content visibility and full interaction capability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If functions are displayed in the graphical user interface, then user interaction capability is improved, but the display area for content is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction selection capabilityVSAvoiddisplay area for content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into a content display region and a function display region. The content portion occupies the upper area for displaying content, while the function portion occupies the lower area for displaying selectable functions. This spatial segmentation optimizes the allocation of display area, ensuring sufficient space for both content and function display without compromising either aspect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical space by arranging the function selection area below the content display area in a vertical dimension. This dimensional layout maximizes the usable display area for content while providing adequate space for function display, effectively resolving the contradiction between display area and interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9454299B2Methods, apparatus, computer-readable storage mediums and computer programs for selecting functions in a graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method including controlling display of a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a portion configured to present content associated with a program; controlling display of a plurality of functions in response to a user input, the plurality of functions being associated with the program and being displayed in the graphical user interface with the portion; and determining if the user input selects a function of the plurality of functions for execution.