Mobile Terminal Interface Shrinking for Multi-Level Function Access
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of displaying function options in application programs on mobile terminals is inconvenient, as users must navigate level by level to find a specific function, making it difficult to search and operate on deeper levels.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user's operation on a target application program interface shrinks the display to a first area, allowing simultaneous display of function options at adjacent levels in separate areas, enabling direct access to deeper levels without sequential navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If function options are displayed level by level in sequential interfaces, then each interface remains simple and focused, but users must navigate through multiple levels to access deeper functions, increasing operation time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from sequential level-by-level navigation to a multi-dimensional display where multiple function levels are simultaneously visible in different spatial regions. The first interface displays current level functions while the second interface displays next-level functions, allowing users to directly access deeper levels without sequential navigation through intermediate levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the function display into segmented interfaces - a first interface showing current level function options and a second interface showing next level function options. This segmentation allows simultaneous display of multiple hierarchical levels, enabling users to directly access deeper functions by navigating to the corresponding segmented interface rather than progressing through each level sequentially.
2Productivity
If multiple function levels are displayed simultaneously, then function searching becomes faster, but the interface complexity and information density increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into multiple independent interfaces, with each interface dedicated to displaying functions at a specific hierarchical level. This segmentation maintains interface simplicity within each region while enabling simultaneous access to multiple levels, thereby increasing productivity without significantly increasing the complexity of individual interface elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functional qualities - the first interface region displays current level functions with one set of interaction characteristics, while the second interface region displays next level functions with different interaction characteristics. This local quality differentiation allows efficient function access while maintaining appropriate simplicity in each local region.
Data Source
AI summary
An application interface display method includes: receiving a first operation performed by a user for a target application program interface, where the target application program interface includes at least one function option; in response to the first operation, controlling the target application program interface to be displayed in a first display area through shrinking; receiving a second operation performed by the user for a target function option in the target application program interface; and displaying, in a second display area, a function option at a level that corresponds to the second operation and that is of the target function option; or displaying, in the first display area and a second display area, function options at two adjacent levels of the target function option, respectively. The second display area is an area outside the first display area in a current display interface.