Hierarchical Content Search on Touch Screen Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen-based devices face challenges in efficiently searching a large number of contents, as conventional methods require numerous input operations and lack intuitive hierarchical searching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for hierarchical content searching on touch screen devices using touch and drag operations, where selection signals for first and second content are received, and representative contents are displayed, allowing for sequential or hierarchical level searches based on drag direction, enabling efficient and intuitive content retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional content searching methods are used in touch screen devices, then all contents can be accessed, but the number of input operations becomes excessively large and search efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large set of contents into hierarchical groups (first level contents, second level contents, etc.). Users can select multiple first level contents and quickly access all second level contents between them without sequentially navigating through each item, thereby reducing input operations while maintaining comprehensive content access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the content structure, organizing contents into multiple levels (first level, second level, etc.). This dimensional organization allows users to perform range selections across hierarchical groups, enabling rapid access to large numbers of contents through fewer operations by leveraging the hierarchical relationships rather than linear navigation
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional linear searching methods are used, then content can be found sequentially, but the search process lacks intuitive hierarchical navigation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments contents into hierarchical levels (first level contents representing groups, second level contents representing individual items). This segmentation enables intuitive hierarchical navigation where users can select range of groups and automatically access all items within those groups, providing versatile search capability while keeping the interface relatively simple through touch operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of contents into hierarchical structures and pre-defines the relationships between first level and second level contents. This preliminary action enables the system to automatically determine which second level contents belong to selected first level contents, providing intuitive hierarchical navigation without requiring complex real-time processing during user interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A method of searching for content in a touch screen device includes: receiving selection signals of first content and second content; extracting contents existing between the first content and the second content, and displaying two or more representative contents, the number of which corresponds to the number of contents that may be simultaneously displayed on a screen, among the extracted contents; and repeating the above processes by using the displayed two or more representative contents.