Unified Navigation Bar Slider for Interval Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces face challenges in accurately selecting and manipulating time intervals from extensive datasets, particularly in applications like measurement, sound, and video technology, where precise temporal resolution is crucial, as conventional sliders require additional space and separate control elements for zooming and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A navigation bar with a movable slider that combines scrolling and zooming functions, maintaining operability by using a single sliding element, with distinct visual cues for magnification mode, ensuring the full data volume is displayed without additional space, and allowing for deep zooming of small sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional sliders are used for selecting time intervals, then the full data volume can be displayed, but additional space is required outside the navigation bar which reduces the actual data display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scrollbar and zoom slider into a single navigation bar element. The slider is integrated directly within the navigation bar rather than being positioned outside, merging two separate control functions (scrolling and zooming) into one unified interface component. This eliminates the need for additional external space while maintaining both functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider within the navigation bar serves multiple functions: it acts as both a scroll controller for navigating through the full data set and as a zoom controller for magnifying specific time intervals. This multi-functional design allows the same control element to perform both navigation and magnification tasks, reducing the need for separate control elements.
2Ease of operation
If separate control elements are used for zooming and navigation, then each function can be controlled independently, but manipulation becomes more complex requiring multiple control elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the zoom slider and navigation scrollbar into a single integrated slider component within the navigation bar. This unified slider allows users to control both zooming and scrolling operations through one control element, simplifying manipulation while reducing the total number of control elements required.
Solution Approach 2:
The single slider in the navigation bar is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the zoom level for magnifying specific time intervals and the scrolling position for navigating through the complete data set. This universal control element eliminates the need for separate zoom and navigation controls, making the interface easier to operate.
3Loss of information
If the slider size changes with zooming, then the zoom level can be indicated, but the operability of the slider is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual properties to different parts of the interface: the slider maintains its size and operational characteristics, while the background area behind the slider changes in appearance to indicate the zoom level. This local differentiation allows the slider to remain operable while the surrounding visual environment provides zoom level feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation bar or background area changes color or visual appearance to indicate the current zoom level, while the slider itself maintains its original size and appearance. This visual feedback mechanism provides zoom level information without requiring the slider to change its dimensions, preserving its operability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining an interval via a graphical user interface includes displaying a navigation bar. The navigation bar has a scale and a slider. The slider is configured to be movable along the scale. The scale has two handles on end faces of the slider opposite to each other longitudinally to the scale. The method further includes retaining opposite handle and adjusting the slider on the side of the dragged handle if one of the handles is dragged. The method further includes dividing the navigation bar into a core area having the slider and two edge areas if the slider falls below a predefined minimum length. The edge areas extend to both sides of the core area longitudinally to the scale and expand the scale and the slider within the core area and compressing the scale in the edge areas.