Popup Grid Context Menu for Small Screen Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hierarchical menus are impractical for small-screen mobile communication devices due to overlapping menus, which can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially with pen-based or stylus-based touch-sensitive screens.
Innovation Solution
A graphical context menu is displayed as a popup grid with a consistent layout, featuring a default menu item in the center and a full menu option in the bottom right, allowing for easier navigation and selection of menu items without overlapping issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hierarchical menus are used on small-screen devices, then menu functionality is provided, but menus overlap and become confusing to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The menu system is segmented into a fixed header portion containing navigation controls and a scrollable content portion containing menu items. This segmentation allows the menu to be divided into functional zones that prevent overlapping while maintaining full menu functionality on small screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu transitions from a horizontal left-to-right layout that causes overlapping to a vertical layout with scrollable content. By changing the dimension of menu expansion from horizontal to vertical, the menu accommodates small screen width while preventing overlap through the use of scrollbars for navigation.
2Quantity of substance
If menus are laid out across the screen in both directions to accommodate all menus, then all menu items are displayed, but menus overlap and create confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The menu content is segmented into a scrollable portion separate from the fixed header. This allows all menu items to be displayed in the scrollable area without causing overlap, as the scrollbar mechanism manages the display of multiple items vertically rather than horizontally.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu implements dynamic scrolling behavior where the content portion can be scrolled vertically to display all menu items. This dynamic adjustment allows the menu to adapt to screen size constraints while maintaining access to all menu items without creating overlapping complexity.
3Ease of operation
If pen-based devices track movement, then cursor follows pen movement, but tracking is lost when pen is pulled away causing menus to disappear
Solution Approach 1:
The menu structure is designed with a fixed header that remains stable and predictable in position. This preliminary establishment of a stable reference point allows the cursor to reliably return to known menu locations even after tracking is temporarily lost, reducing the impact of tracking interruptions.
4Loss of information
If hierarchical menus retain previous menus on screen, then historical menu map is provided, but screen space is limited on small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The menu is segmented into a fixed header area that provides stable navigation references and a scrollable content area that can accommodate multiple menu items vertically. This segmentation allows the menu to maintain a compact form factor suitable for small screens while still providing access to all menu items through scrolling, preventing the need to display all items simultaneously which would cause overlap.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for displaying a graphical context menu on a display screen of a mobile communication device. The method includes receiving a menu request, determining the number of menu items based on the context of the menu request, generating a graphical context menu based on the determined number of the determined number of menu items, inserting the menu items into the generated graphical context menu, and displaying the generated graphical context menu on the display screen with the inserted menu items. The graphical context menu can include menu items displayed in a 3x3 grid, a 2x3 grid or a 1x3 grid. The graphical context menu can include a default menu item in the center of the grid and a full menu option in the bottom most right slot of the grid.