Presence-Sensitive Screen Application Stack Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices with presence-sensitive screens face challenges in efficiently navigating between applications and varying degrees of information specificity due to limited display area, requiring innovative methods to enhance user interaction and information management.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to perform gestures on the presence-sensitive screen to switch between graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of applications, changing the degree of specificity of information displayed, and navigate between different applications by using horizontal and vertical swipe gestures, enabling seamless transitions and multitasking on devices with limited display space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are displayed simultaneously on a limited screen area, then information accessibility is improved, but display space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a stack-based application management system where applications are arranged in vertical layers rather than horizontal layout. The presence-sensitive display detects gesture depth to navigate between these layers, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the traditionally two-dimensional screen space. This allows multiple applications to coexist in the same physical display area by organizing them in depth layers, resolving the contradiction between displaying multiple applications and maintaining limited display space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested application structure where applications can be stacked within each other like nested dolls. The most recently accessed application is positioned at the top layer of the stack, while previous applications remain in underlying layers. This nesting approach enables efficient use of display space by allowing applications to occupy the same screen real estate at different depth levels, thereby improving information accessibility without requiring additional physical display area.
2Measurement precision
If detailed information is displayed at high specificity, then information precision is improved, but screen space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic information display where the degree of specificity changes based on user interaction. When users perform gestures to access applications from the stack, the system dynamically adjusts the level of detail displayed. Frequently accessed or currently active applications can display more detailed information, while less active applications display summarized views. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between information precision and screen space usage in real-time based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different levels of information specificity to different regions or layers of the application stack. Applications at different positions in the stack can display information at different degrees of detail simultaneously. The top-most application layer can display high-specificity detailed information, while underlying layers display lower-specificity summaries. This local quality differentiation allows the system to provide precise information where needed while conserving screen space overall.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a method includes outputting for display a first graphical user interface (GUI) of an application executing at the portable computer terminal, wherein the first GUI displays information received from the mobile computing device at a first degree of specificity. The method also includes, in response to receiving input to display a second GUI of the application: outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display device of the portable computer terminal, the second GUI and removing the first GUI from display. The second GUI may be different from the first GUI, and the second GUI may display information received from the mobile computing device at a second degree of specificity that is different than the first degree of specificity.