Mobile CAD Navigation via Spatial Bubble Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAD applications on mobile devices face challenges in navigating between components due to limited screen real-estate, making text-based table navigation inefficient and unsuitable for mobile device interactions.
Innovation Solution
A visually interactive user interface for mobile devices that allows users to navigate between CAD project drawing sets using tap and swipe gestures, with information represented by visual icons and text, enabling efficient and clear interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text-based table navigation is used in CAD applications on mobile devices, then navigation functionality is provided, but the limited screen real-estate makes navigation inefficient and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional two-dimensional text-based table navigation into a three-dimensional spatial navigation system using bubbles of different sizes and depths. Users can swipe through multiple layers and zoom levels, converting a flat tabular interface into a multi-dimensional spatial experience that better utilizes mobile device interaction capabilities while overcoming screen size limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation interface dynamically adjusts bubble sizes, positions, and visibility based on user interactions such as swiping and zooming. The system transitions between different viewing states (overview mode, detailed mode, navigation mode) where elements dynamically reposition and resize, creating an adaptive interface that responds to user needs rather than maintaining a static layout.
2Ease of operation
If traditional text-based table navigation is used, then all navigation information can be displayed, but the interaction is complex and not suited for mobile device gestures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments navigation information into discrete bubble elements representing different components or locations. Each bubble can be independently interacted with, and the system segments the overall navigation task into manageable steps (selecting a bubble, swiping to navigate, zooming to view details) rather than requiring users to navigate through a complex table structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble-based visual elements serve as intermediaries between the user and the underlying CAD data structure. Instead of directly interacting with text-based tables or raw CAD components, users interact with visual bubbles that mediate the navigation process, translating complex data relationships into intuitive visual representations that can be manipulated through simple gestures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to navigate between components in a computer-aided design (CAD) mobile drawing application. A drawing is opened in the CAD mobile drawing application on a mobile device. A navigation panel is activated. A component is selected in the drawing. In response to the selecting, information about the selected component is displayed within the navigation panel. Via a mobile device gesture, an element of the information is selected and used as the selected element. The navigation panel is updated by displaying information about the selected element.