Quasi-3D Map Interface for Mobile Communication Item Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for organizing and presenting a large number of communication items on mobile devices with small screens are inefficient, as users face difficulties in navigating and finding specific items due to the sheer quantity and variety of data, despite various viewing approaches and sorting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a mobile communication device with a quasi-three-dimensional timeline view and a 'jump' functionality that allows users to quickly navigate through communication items by selecting specific periods or dates, along with the option to store user-defined jump functions for repeated use, enhancing the organization and retrieval of communication items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional list view or time line view is used to display communication items, then the user can see multiple items at once, but the user still has difficulty finding specific items among a large quantity of communication items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the conventional two-dimensional list or linear timeline view into a three-dimensional topographic map view. Communication items are represented as geographic features (peaks, valleys, mountains) on a map, with vertical elevation representing recency or importance. This dimensional transformation allows users to visually scan and locate specific items more efficiently by their spatial and elevation characteristics, solving the problem of finding specific items among large quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding to differentiate types of communication items (e.g., emails, messages, notifications) and to indicate their status or priority. Different colors represent different categories, allowing users to quickly identify and filter specific types of communication items without having to examine each item individually, thereby improving ease of operation.
2Area of stationary object
If the mobile communication device has a small screen, then the device is portable and easy to carry, but it becomes more difficult to organize and display communication items
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting communication items onto a two-dimensional map with added elevation (vertical) dimension, the patent creates a three-dimensional visualization that efficiently utilizes the limited screen area. The map view allows dense packing of information while maintaining visual distinguishability, overcoming the constraint of small screen area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the screen into multiple geographic regions or zones, each representing different time periods, categories, or priorities of communication items. This segmentation allows organized display of numerous items on a small screen by grouping them into manageable spatial regions, improving both organization and accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple views (list view, time line view) are provided to help users manage communication items, then users can select different sorting criteria, but the complexity of navigating between different views increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal map-based interface that can display multiple types of communication items and apply various sorting criteria within a single unified view. Instead of requiring separate list views, timeline views, and filter interfaces, the map view integrates these functions by representing different item types as different geographic features and allowing dynamic adjustment of elevation and positioning based on sorting criteria, thereby reducing navigation complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing information by graphics is suggested that constitute a man machine interface for a mobile communication device equipped with a screen. The method comprises the following steps: - receiving a plurality of data items; - generating one graphical element for each data item; - associating the graphical element to the corresponding data item; - arranging the data items according to their receipt time in a list; - displaying graphical elements on the screen which are associated with data items received during a first period of time; and - displaying graphical elements on the screen which are associated with data items received during a second period of time. Typically the second period of time lies in the past and allows a user to move backwards in time in a more comfortable way compared with scrolling along a time line or a list of received communication items.