Layer-Based User Interface for Navigating Complex Device Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic devices, such as mobile phones, offer numerous features but are often difficult for users to navigate due to complexity, leading to a need for improved user interfaces that enhance usability.
Innovation Solution
A layer-based user interface system where functionality is distributed across layers, accessible via touch-based gestures, allowing for interactive components, navigational elements, and the use of scrolling and non-scrolling layouts, with sub-layers and active icons that can be triggered by various methods, enabling intuitive navigation and feature access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple features and functionalities are added to electronic devices, then the device capabilities and versatility are improved, but the user interface complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple layers, each representing a different level of functionality or application context. Users can navigate between layers to access different sets of features, allowing the interface to present only relevant controls at each level rather than overwhelming users with all device capabilities simultaneously. This segmentation enables versatile functionality while maintaining operational simplicity at each individual layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the user interface by stacking multiple layers on top of each other. Instead of expanding functionality horizontally (adding more buttons and menus on the same screen), the interface extends into the vertical dimension where users can swipe or gesture to transition between layers. This dimensional change allows comprehensive feature access without increasing the complexity visible at any single moment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive features are provided in mobile phones, then the functionality is improved, but the usability and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface dynamically adapts its structure and content based on the current layer and user context. Each layer can be configured to display only the features and controls relevant to that specific function or application state. As users navigate between layers, the interface dynamically reconfigures to present appropriate controls, maintaining simplicity and ease of use regardless of the comprehensive functionality available across all layers.
3Ease of operation
If traditional menu structures are used, then the user interface is familiar and easy to learn, but the user experience and convenience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The layered interface structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides familiar navigation patterns for learning, while also enabling sophisticated user experiences through vertical layer transitions. The same layering mechanism can accommodate traditional menu structures when needed, while also supporting gesture-based navigation, contextual menus, and application-specific interfaces, making the system universally applicable to various user needs and device functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A layer-based user interface for computing devices. In the layer-based user interface, the functionality of the device is distributed to layers and accessed via them. Each layer is composed of a number of components or features that are typically represented by icons. The components can present, for example, data or functions to the user. The components can be interactive or uninteractive. A subset of interactive components is navigational. Navigational components are a special case of the components because of their central role in the user interface concept.