Pop-out menu expands beyond window boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large applications often have too many navigation actions to fit on a screen, requiring additional inputs like scrolling or drop-down menus, especially on mobile devices with limited screen size, making it difficult for users to access all available actions simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pop-out menu that can be activated from an embedded menu, allowing it to expand independently of the application window, providing a resizable and repositionable interface that displays all selectable actions at once, and remains open on the screen even after an action is selected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all navigation actions are displayed in an embedded menu within the application window, then the menu is easily accessible, but the screen space is limited and cannot display all actions simultaneously on mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the menu from a two-dimensional embedded layout constrained by the application window to a three-dimensional pop-out structure that extends beyond the window boundaries. This dimensional change allows the menu to occupy additional screen space while maintaining its embedded functionality, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu is designed to be dynamically resizable and repositionable rather than fixed in size and position. Users can adjust the menu's dimensions and location to optimize visibility of navigation actions, transforming a static space-constrained interface into a flexible solution that adapts to different screen sizes and user needs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the navigation menu is embedded within the application window, then it integrates well with the interface, but it cannot be resized or repositioned to optimize visibility of all actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic properties to the previously static embedded menu. The menu can now be resized and repositioned by users, transforming it from a fixed composition element into an adaptable interface component that maintains integration while gaining flexibility for optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu serves multiple functions: it maintains its traditional embedded integration for stability while simultaneously providing resizable and repositionable capabilities for adaptability. This multi-functionality allows the same menu structure to satisfy both integration requirements and optimization needs.
3Quantity of substance
If scrolling or drop-down menus are used to display additional navigation actions, then more actions become accessible, but additional user inputs are required which reduces navigation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using sequential access methods like scrolling or drop-down menus that require multiple inputs, the patent displays all navigation actions simultaneously by extending the menu into three-dimensional space. This allows users to see and access all actions at once, eliminating the need for repeated scrolling or menu-opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu is pre-configured to display all navigation actions in a single view by utilizing the pop-out structure. This preliminary arrangement of all actions in visible space eliminates the need for users to perform sequential actions like scrolling or opening sub-menus, thereby improving navigation efficiency from the outset.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system and method for popping out a menu that is embedded within a user interface. The popped-out menu can be moved independently of a window in the user interface from which the menu is dislodged from and can have it size adjusted. In one example, the method may include displaying a menu comprising a plurality of selectable actions which are embedded within a user interface window, receiving a predetermined command with respect to the user interface, and in response to receipt of the predetermined command, outputting a pop-out menu that corresponds to the menu embedded within the user interface window, the pop-out window comprising the plurality of selectable actions and being configured to move independently of the user interface window.