Two-Dimensional Scroll Region Across Content Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile computing devices lack seamless and intuitive scrolling mechanisms across content object boundaries, often resulting in discontinuous scrolling experiences and limited user control over scrolling speed and direction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that determines a two-dimensional scroll region independent of content object boundaries, allowing continuous scrolling and adjusting scrolling speed based on user input gestures, such as multiple gestures within a predetermined time period, to enhance user interaction and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scrolling is constrained by content object boundaries, then content object integrity is maintained, but scrolling continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scrolling behavior into two independent components: content object boundaries remain intact while the scroll region extends beyond them. This allows the scrolling mechanism to operate continuously across boundaries without disrupting content object integrity, resolving the contradiction between maintaining object integrity and ensuring scrolling continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scroll region as an intermediary layer between the content objects and the scrolling mechanism. This scroll region acts as a mediator that allows continuous scrolling motion while the content objects themselves remain boundary-constrained and intact, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Device complexity
If scrolling speed is fixed, then system complexity is reduced, but user control over navigation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scrolling speed adjustment based on user interaction patterns. The system transitions from fixed speed to variable speed scrolling, where the scroll speed adapts to user needs while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through gesture-based control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scrolling speed parameter dynamically based on user gestures. By allowing the speed parameter to vary according to interaction intensity (single vs. multiple gestures), the system achieves enhanced user control without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If scrolling is independent of content object boundaries, then scrolling continuity is improved, but content object alignment may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display area into content object boundaries and scroll region boundaries. This segmentation allows the scroll region to extend beyond content objects for continuous scrolling while content objects themselves maintain their original boundaries and alignment, resolving the contradiction between scrolling continuity and object alignment stability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes providing for display to a user content including multiple content objects that each has a boundary defining a two-dimensional area. A two-dimensional scroll region for user scrolling within the content is determined. The two-dimensional scroll region is independent of the two-dimensional areas of the content objects. User input to scroll within the content in one or both of the two dimensions across one or more of the boundaries is received. The method includes scrolling within the content according to the user input, the scrolling being continuous across the boundaries.