Ribbon Control Display Structure for GUI Navigation Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) face limitations in efficiently displaying and managing controls, particularly in applications where a large number of controls need to be accessed quickly, often requiring users to navigate through menus or toolbars, which can be cumbersome and reduce productivity.
Innovation Solution
A control display structure featuring a ribbon-like layout with tab-like links and a container area that spans the width of the application, allowing for the display of multiple containers and links, with features like proportional lines and customizable visibility to optimize space and user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional menu or toolbar is used to display controls, then the interface structure remains simple, but users must constantly navigate between menus which reduces productivity and increases time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The control display structure segments controls into multiple containers organized by topic or function, with each container accessible through tab-like links. This segmentation allows users to quickly navigate to specific control groups without traversing entire menus, reducing navigation time while maintaining interface simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional vertical menu navigation to a horizontal ribbon-like layout that spans the width of the display area. This dimensional change allows multiple control containers to be displayed simultaneously in a horizontal arrangement, enabling users to access controls more efficiently without increasing navigation depth.
2Ease of operation
If more controls are displayed in the interface, then user access to controls improves, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface segments controls into multiple manageable containers organized by functional groups. Each container holds a specific subset of controls, making the overall interface less complex while maintaining comprehensive access. Users can selectively access different control containers based on their current task needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control display structure dynamically adjusts its layout based on the number of controls and display area size. The ribbon-like container area can accommodate varying numbers of containers and links, automatically adapting to different interface complexity levels while maintaining ease of operation through consistent horizontal navigation.
3Quantity of substance
If the control display structure spans the full width of the display area, then more controls can be displayed, but the interface adapts poorly to varying display sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The control display structure implements dynamic adaptability by adjusting the number of containers and links displayed based on the available display area width. The ribbon-like layout automatically scales to accommodate different display sizes, showing more containers on wider screens and fewer containers on narrower screens, while maintaining consistent horizontal navigation throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
To facilitate selection of a control that defines one or more commands to be performed to data content, a control display structure for an application is introduced. According to the structure, in a display area of a running application on a graphical user interface at least a first link and a second link are displayed in link area, at least a first container comprising at least one or more controls that are associated with the first link, and the second container comprising at least one or more controls that are associated with the second link, in a container area, wherein the controls displayed are freely selectable.