GUI Widget State Transition for Multi-Item Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interface (GUI) widgets for selecting multiple items often disrupt user workflow with resizing or the use of pop-up windows, and they do not efficiently manage limited screen space, making it difficult for users to visually scan and interact with selected items.
Innovation Solution
A GUI widget that transitions between a rest state and an edit state without resizing, allowing users to select multiple items from a fixed domain using checkboxes or other visual indications, with scrolling options to view all items, and maintaining the same screen space to avoid disrupting other content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing GUI widgets use pop-up windows or resizing to display multiple items, then users can access more items, but user workflow is disrupted and screen space management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The widget dynamically transitions between two states: a first state displaying a limited number of currently selected items, and a second state displaying all items in the fixed domain with visual indications of selection. This dynamic state change allows the widget to adapt its display mode based on user interaction needs, enabling seamless access to all items without disrupting workflow through pop-ups or resizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The widget introduces a state dimension rather than using spatial expansion (pop-ups) or resizing. By transitioning between display states within the same screen space, the widget provides access to additional information (all items with selection indicators) without violating the constraint of maintaining consistent screen layout and avoiding workflow disruption.
2Loss of information
If existing GUI widgets use pop-up windows to display all items, then users can see all selectable items, but screen space is wasted and other content is covered
Solution Approach 1:
The display of items is segmented into two modes: a condensed view showing only currently selected items (saving space) and an expanded view showing all items with visual selection indicators (providing complete information). The widget segments the information display based on user needs, allowing access to all items when necessary while maintaining efficient space usage during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The widget dynamically adjusts its information display density by transitioning between states. In the first state, it displays a limited set of selected items for space efficiency. In the second state, it displays all items with visual indications of selection, providing complete information without requiring pop-up windows that would cover other content.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing GUI widgets resize to display more items, then users can access additional items, but the layout becomes unstable and other content positioning is affected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of resizing the widget to expand display capacity, the invention inverts the approach by maintaining fixed size and expanding display capacity through state transition. The widget stays the same size but changes what it displays by transitioning between states, thereby preserving layout stability while providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The widget uses dynamic state transition rather than dynamic resizing. It maintains a stable, fixed size that preserves layout consistency, but dynamically changes its display content by switching between a first state (limited items) and a second state (all items with selection indicators), achieving adaptability without compromising structural stability.
4Ease of operation
If existing GUI widgets display all items simultaneously, then users can easily scan selections, but the widget requires excessive screen space
Solution Approach 1:
The widget applies local quality by providing different display densities in different states. In the first state, it displays a condensed view of selected items for space efficiency. In the second state, it provides a detailed view with visual indications for each item, enabling easy visual scanning of selections. Each state optimizes for its specific purpose within the same screen space.
Solution Approach 2:
The information display is segmented into two functional modes: a space-efficient mode showing only selected items and an information-rich mode showing all items with selection indicators. This segmentation allows the widget to provide easy visual scanning when needed while minimizing screen space usage during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for operating a graphical user interface (GUI). In an edit state, the GUI allows a user to select multiple items from a fixed domain of items that represents a total set from which selections may be made. In a rest state, the GUI allows the user to easily recognize which of the items from the fixed domain are currently selected. In the rest state, the items currently selected are displayed in a read only mode such that user input relative to the items displayed is ignored.