Pivot Control Zoom Slider for Large Dataset Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interface navigation elements struggle with large and expanding datasets, leading to the sub-pixel-pitch problem where each pixel represents too large a data quantity, making navigation and zooming in/out difficult, especially when maintaining a section of interest in the viewport.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that includes a pivot control zoom slider, an interactive ruler, and a multi-scale slider to provide consistent control and visual feedback, allowing users to perform zoom operations relative to a selected pivot location and navigate datasets effectively by adjusting the zoom level and repositioning the view without skipping desired sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional user interface navigation elements (scroll bars, zoom sliders) are used for large datasets, then the interface remains simple and conventional, but the navigation precision deteriorates due to the sub-pixel-pitch problem where each pixel represents too large a data quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation interface is segmented into multiple independent control elements: pan control, zoom control, and a navigation canvas with grid lines. Each element handles a specific navigation task independently, avoiding the sub-pixel-pitch problem by providing fine-grained control without requiring a complete redesign of the traditional interface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a navigation canvas with grid lines that adds a visual dimension to the interface. The grid lines provide visual feedback about data positions and scales, creating a new dimension of information display that complements the traditional scroll bar and zoom slider controls.
2Quantity of substance
If the dataset size increases and expands, then more data can be viewed, but the mapping between pixels and data points breaks down causing each pixel to represent too large an amount of data
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation interface dynamically adjusts to dataset size through independent pan and zoom controls. The pan control allows continuous repositioning without being constrained by fixed pixel-to-data mappings, while the zoom control enables dynamic adjustment of the scale factor, allowing users to maintain appropriate data resolution regardless of dataset size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scale mapping by introducing a zoom factor that can be independently adjusted. Instead of having a fixed pixel-to-data mapping, the system allows dynamic modification of the scale parameter through the zoom slider, enabling users to adapt the visualization to maintain appropriate resolution for the current dataset size and viewport.
3Device complexity
If zoom operations are performed from a fixed center location, then the zoom mechanism is simple, but maintaining a section of interest in the viewport becomes difficult when the section is not near the center
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation functionality is segmented into independent pan and zoom operations. Users can first use the pan control to reposition the viewport so that the section of interest is near the center, then perform zoom operations from the center. This segmentation allows simple zoom mechanics while achieving the goal of maintaining sections of interest through coordinated pan-then-zoom sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a data navigation engine that generates user interface navigation elements for navigation large and expanding datasets. The user interface navigation elements may include a pivot control zoom slider for adjusting the data resolution with respect to different zoom pivot locations, an interactive ruler for consistent visual feedback and navigation of intervals of data within the dataset, a context bar for viewing the data proximate to a current view, and a multi-scale slider for repositioning the dataset within the current view. These user interface navigation elements provide the end-user with consistent control and visual feedback while navigating the dataset, independent of the size of the dataset or the portion of the dataset displayed within the current view. Therefore, large and expanding datasets can be navigated more effectively relative to prior art approaches.