Navigable Map Interface for Handheld Data Structure Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld computing devices face limitations in display area due to their size, restricting the effective navigation and presentation of complex data structures like documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, which hinders user interaction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a navigable map system that uses a map generator to parse XML data structures, generating a list of map items and corresponding mappings, allowing users to interactively navigate and preview document or application components, with features like alpha blending and dynamic updates on touch screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display area is increased to show more data structure information, then the navigation and presentation of complex data structures improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple portions: a first display portion showing map list items representing data structure elements, and a second display portion showing preview information. This segmentation allows complex data structures to be navigated systematically without requiring a single large display area, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a navigable map interface that transforms linear data structure traversal into a two-dimensional visual representation with hierarchical levels. Users can navigate data structures through a graphical map interface rather than linear scrolling, effectively utilizing limited display space to present complex relationships in multiple dimensions.
2Loss of information
If more data structure information is displayed at once, then the presentation of complex data improves, but the device portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Information display is segmented between the map list items in the first display portion and detailed preview information in the second display portion. This allows comprehensive data structure information to be accessed without requiring a larger device, as the interface efficiently organizes and presents information in manageable segments that fit within compact handheld displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a navigable map that is a simplified representation or copy of the complex data structure. This map interface provides a condensed view that can be displayed on small screens while maintaining the ability to access complete information through interactive navigation, thus preserving information completeness without requiring increased device size.
3Measurement precision
If a detailed view of all data structure elements is provided, then the navigation precision improves, but the user interaction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface dynamically adapts between different view modes: a high-level navigable map view for overview and efficient navigation, and a detailed preview view for precise interaction with specific elements. This dynamic switching allows users to maintain high navigation efficiency while achieving precise access to data structure elements only when needed, resolving the contradiction between navigation precision and interaction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigable map serves as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex data structure. Rather than requiring direct interaction with all data elements, users interact with the simplified map interface to navigate to relevant sections, then access detailed previews only when needed. This intermediary layer maintains navigation precision while significantly improving interaction efficiency by filtering out unnecessary complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide navigable and other information to users. In an embodiment, a handheld computing device can be configured to provide a navigable map that includes a number of map list items corresponding to aspects of an underlying data structure. In one embodiment, a process includes displaying a number of linked list items of a navigable list map in a first display portion and displaying a preview of pertinent information associated with an item in a second display portion. Other embodiments are available.