Interface Element for Reducing Screen Clutter on Interactive Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive tabletop computer interfaces become cluttered when many objects are displayed, hindering user interaction and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A computer interface element, represented as a 'black hole,' that allows users to manipulate displayed objects by moving them into, out of, or through a region of influence, where objects are resized or hidden, reducing clutter and enabling intuitive object management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If many objects are displayed on the tabletop computer interface, then the quantity of information available to users increases, but the interface becomes cluttered and user interaction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple functional regions: a display area for showing objects and an interface element region for controlling object manipulation. This spatial segmentation allows objects to be displayed without cluttering the entire interface, as the interface element provides a dedicated control zone that organizes interaction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface element acts as an intermediary between users and displayed objects. Instead of directly manipulating objects scattered across the display, users interact with the interface element which then mediates the manipulation operations (such as grouping, selecting, or organizing objects). This intermediary approach simplifies user interaction even when many objects are present.
2Loss of information
If all displayed objects are made visible and accessible, then information availability increases, but screen clutter increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface element dynamically changes its properties (such as size, position, or functional state) based on the number and arrangement of displayed objects. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to optimize between showing all objects and maintaining clarity, adjusting the control mechanism as needed rather than using a static layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters of object display (such as size, opacity, or grouping) based on interaction with the interface element. When the interface element is activated or positioned near certain objects, those objects may be highlighted, enlarged, or grouped together, changing their display parameters to improve visibility and accessibility without requiring all objects to occupy equal screen space.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides method of manipulating a displayed object capable of interacting with an interface element of a computing interface. The computing interface has a display module for displaying the displayed object in a display area, and which causes the displayed object to interact with the interface element and manipulating the displayed object according to the nature of the input received. The manipulation includes varying the size of the displayed object when the received input results in movement of the displayed object, into, out-of, or through a region of the display area designated as belonging to the interface element.