Overlapping Content Preview for Mobile Link Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The small screen size of mobile devices makes it difficult for users to accurately select hyperlinks, often leading to the wrong content being displayed, as existing methods require repetitive tapping through zoomed-in dialog boxes, which is not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

The method allows users to select hyperlinks by displaying overlapping portions of secondary content, with the extent of overlap proportional to gesture length, enabling users to visually confirm and select content without extensive tapping, using sliding or pinch gestures to transition between links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users select hyperlinks by tapping on small screen elements, then the electronic content can be accessed, but the user frequently selects the wrong link due to small screen size and imprecise selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when multiple hyperlinks are selected and automatically displaying preview panels for those links before the user makes a final selection. This preliminary display of options with previews eliminates the need for repeated tapping and zooming, allowing users to confirm their selection in a single action while maintaining high precision on small screens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If zoomed-in dialog boxes are displayed to show multiple links, then selection accuracy improves, but the user must repeatedly tap through multiple dialog boxes which is not user-friendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the hyperlink selection interface with the content preview interface by displaying preview panels directly within the browsing context rather than in separate dialog boxes. Multiple preview panels can be displayed simultaneously, allowing users to compare and select content in a single view, eliminating the time-consuming process of repeatedly tapping through multiple zoomed-in dialog boxes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the screen size is small, then the device is portable, but the user cannot accurately select among multiple hyperlinks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen areaVSAvoidselection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a two-dimensional tap-based selection to a multi-dimensional selection process by displaying preview panels that provide visual context about each hyperlink's destination. The preview panels add a new dimension of information display that allows users to make accurate selections based on content previews rather than relying solely on small hyperlink text, effectively overcoming the limitations of small screen area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2887197B1Method for selecting an electronic content to be displayed on a display of an electronic device
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 ORANGE SA
  • EP2887197B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2887197B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for selecting an electronic content to be displayed on a display of an electronic device controlled by means of a user interface, a first electronic content already being displayed on the display of the electronic device, said method comprising the steps of : - Detecting a first input on a first specific element of the user interface, said specific element pointing toward at least a second electronic content to be displayed, - Displaying at least a portion of the second electronic content on the display of the electronic device, said portion of the second electronic content overlapping the first electronic content, - Detecting a second input on a second specific element of the user interface, said detection triggering the display of the second electronic content on the display of the electronic device.