Non-linear Slider Control for Dynamic Scale Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for numeric input, such as sliders and steppers, are limited by predefined bounds and increments, making it difficult to rapidly change values, especially when the scale varies dynamically, and fail to provide smooth order of magnitude control changes.
Innovation Solution
A non-linear slider control that dynamically adjusts its bounds and quantization interval based on the initial value, allowing for smooth and familiar user interaction by maintaining the same bounds during sliding, and recalculating them to center the slider at the new value, enabling rapid scaling and order of magnitude changes without predefined scales.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a slider uses predefined bounds and quantization intervals, then the slider provides stable and predictable value changes, but the slider cannot rapidly adapt to varying scales and orders of magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The slider dynamically adjusts its bounds and quantization intervals based on the current value being controlled. As the value changes scale, the slider automatically recalculates its range and step sizes, transitioning from static to adaptive behavior. This allows the same slider control to effectively manage values across multiple orders of magnitude without requiring multiple different controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider changes its operational parameters (bounds and quantization interval) as functions of the current value. When the value increases or decreases significantly, the slider recalculates its parameters to maintain appropriate precision and range, effectively adapting to the new scale through parameter transformation rather than structural change.
2Ease of operation
If a slider maintains fixed bounds during sliding, then the user experience is smooth and familiar, but the slider cannot provide rapid order of magnitude changes
Solution Approach 1:
The slider performs preliminary calculations of new bounds and quantization intervals based on the current value before the user begins sliding. This pre-computation allows the slider to be ready to adapt to the new scale immediately when the user releases the slider, maintaining smooth interaction during the slide while enabling rapid scale changes upon completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider periodically recalculates its bounds and parameters at specific trigger points (such as when the user releases the slider or at certain value thresholds). This periodic recalculation maintains familiar smooth behavior during active sliding while enabling discrete, rapid adaptations to new scales when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wheel control works logarithmically with no bounds, then the wheel provides unlimited scaling capability, but the wheel does not provide nicely rounded output values
Solution Approach 1:
The slider transforms the relationship between position and value through dynamic parameter changes. Rather than using a fixed logarithmic relationship like a wheel, the slider adjusts its quantization interval and bounds as functions of the current value, ensuring that output values remain nicely rounded and precise while still allowing rapid scaling across orders of magnitude.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed non-linear slider control enables a single control to rapidly change orders of magnitude in the scale of control by varying the bounds and quantization interval based on the value before the user begins a slide operation. The bigger the value is at the start, the larger the bounds and the interval. At the end of at least one slide control operation, the bounds and step interval value are recomputed.