Mobile Device File List Pagination via Automatic Page Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile wireless communications devices face inefficiencies in navigating and downloading large lists of files, leading to increased wait times and bandwidth usage due to the need for hyperlinks and separate page downloads, which affects usability and costs.

Innovation Solution

A mobile wireless communications device and method that wirelessly downloads and displays multiple pages of selectable files, merging subsequent pages based on a scrollable cursor reaching a threshold number of files, reducing wait times and bandwidth usage by appending the second page to the first, and providing an indicator for available additional pages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate page downloads with hyperlinks are used for navigating large lists of files, then navigation functionality is provided, but wait times increase and bandwidth usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation functionalityVSAvoidwait times
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file list into multiple pages that are downloaded separately, but eliminates hyperlinks between them. Each page contains a portion of the sequential file listing, and the system automatically manages page transitions without requiring user interaction with hyperlinks, thus reducing wait times while maintaining navigation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-downloading multiple pages of the file list before the user needs to navigate to them. The system anticipates navigation needs and prepares subsequent pages in advance, eliminating wait times when users need to access different portions of the file listing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If separate page downloads with hyperlinks are used for navigating large lists of files, then navigation functionality is provided, but bandwidth usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation functionalityVSAvoidbandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the hyperlink element from the traditional pagination system. By taking out the hyperlink mechanism, the system eliminates the need for additional data transmissions associated with hyperlink navigation, thereby reducing bandwidth usage while preserving the essential navigation functionality through automatic page management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the navigation control function into the system itself rather than relying on user-initiated hyperlink clicks. The system automatically manages page transitions by detecting cursor position and triggering downloads accordingly, combining the display and navigation control into a unified automatic process that reduces overall bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple pages are downloaded and displayed with automatic appending, then navigation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidpage management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically manage page downloads, displays, and appending operations without user intervention. The system monitors cursor position, determines when to download subsequent pages, and automatically appends them to the display, thereby improving navigation efficiency while the automation masks the underlying complexity from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4220445A1Mobile wireless communication device having scrolling base pagination and related methods
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP4220445A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220445A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4220445A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, and a wireless transceiver carried by the housing. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a display carried by the housing, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the display and the wireless transceiver. The controller may be configured to wirelessly download a first page from among a plurality of pages collectively including a sequential listing of a plurality of selectable files. The controller may also be configured to display the first page with a scrollable cursor thereon, and wirelessly download a second page based upon the scrollable cursor being positioned at a threshold number of selectable files in the first page.