Portable Device Orientation Engine Navigational View Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in navigating media due to their limited size, lacking the user interface elements and input methods available on larger systems, such as pointing devices and full-sized keyboards, which hinder efficient navigation of information.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using changes in the device's orientation to provide related navigational views on multiple displays, where flipping or rotating the device switches between different navigational views, allowing users to page through content, scroll, or zoom in/out, by utilizing an orientation engine and display controller to manage the displays and determine the direction of orientation change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If portable devices are made smaller to improve portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but the ability to navigate media and information efficiently deteriorates due to limited display size and lack of user interface elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the display content change dynamically in response to device orientation changes. The display controller automatically switches between different navigational views (e.g., list view, grid view, detailed view) based on the device's rotational orientation detected by the orientation engine, allowing users to navigate media efficiently through physical rotation rather than requiring buttons or a mouse
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting user orientation changes and autonomously switching between navigational views without requiring explicit user input. The orientation engine continuously monitors device orientation and the display controller automatically responds by presenting appropriate views, eliminating the need for separate navigation controls
2Device complexity
If portable devices lack I/O connection means such as USB adapters, then device simplicity and portability are improved, but the ability to use external I/O devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the portable device itself serve multiple navigation functions that would traditionally require external devices. The display and orientation detection system enables the device to function as both the display and the navigation control interface, eliminating the need for separate USB adapters or pointing devices while maintaining full navigation capability
3Ease of operation
If multiple displays are added to portable devices to improve navigation capability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single display to serve multiple navigational functions through dynamic content switching. The same display presents different views (list, grid, detailed) depending on the device orientation, eliminating the need for separate displays for different navigation modes while maintaining full navigational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamics by making the display content adaptive to device orientation. The display controller automatically adjusts what is shown on the display based on real-time orientation data, allowing one display to perform the work of multiple specialized displays through dynamic reconfiguration
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device (100) includes an orientation engine (118) and a display controller (106). The display controller displays a navigational view on a first display (102). Upon detecting a reorientation of the device (610), the display control displays a second navigational view (204). The second navigational view is related to the first navigational view by a relationship dictated by the direction of orientation change, and may be displayed on the first display or on a second display (104), depending on the manner of reorientation.