Scrollable Interface Control Element for Power-Efficient Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for electronic devices to provide efficient methods for presenting a control user interface concurrently with user interfaces, reducing cognitive burden and processor and battery power usage by detecting input requests to navigate a scrollable user interface and displaying a control user interface element when the scrolling position is within a specific range.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device displays a scrollable user interface and detects input requests to navigate it, displaying a control user interface element when the current scrolling position is within a predetermined range, thereby enhancing interaction efficiency and reducing redundant user inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic device continuously monitors and processes all user interface interactions, then the responsiveness and reliability of the user interface is improved, but the processor power consumption and battery drain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface responsivenessVSAvoidprocessor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by monitoring user interface interactions at specific intervals rather than continuously. The processor checks for navigation input requests only when the user interface element is visible and the device is in an active state, reducing power consumption while maintaining responsive interaction. This periodic monitoring approach allows the system to balance reliability with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the electronic device displays all user interface elements simultaneously, then the completeness of information is improved, but the cognitive burden on the user and interface complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiduser cognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the user interface into distinct components: a scrollable user interface containing detailed information and a separate control user interface element for navigation controls. By dividing the interface into manageable segments, the system presents information in an organized manner that reduces cognitive burden while maintaining completeness. The segmentation allows users to interact with different parts of the interface independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control user interface element acts as an intermediary between the user and the scrollable user interface. This intermediary component provides specialized navigation controls that simplify the interaction with the main interface, reducing the cognitive load required to navigate through detailed information while preserving access to all interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the electronic device provides comprehensive navigation controls for the scrollable user interface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and number of interface elements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation easeVSAvoidinterface element quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control user interface element is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal navigation control that can operate across different contexts and states of the scrollable user interface. This single control element performs multiple navigation functions (scrolling, panning, zooming) without requiring separate controls for each function, thereby reducing overall interface complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Speed

If the electronic device processes every user input request immediately, then the responsiveness is improved, but the processor usage and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput processing speedVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by processing only the essential navigation input requests rather than every possible user interaction. The control user interface element filters and selects only the necessary navigation commands to execute, reducing processor usage and energy consumption while maintaining adequate responsiveness for typical user interactions. This selective processing approach avoids excessive action on unnecessary inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240402899A1Control user interface elements

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more electronic devices that present a scrollable user interface concurrently with a control user interface element. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more electronic devices configured to present user interfaces associated with information included in the control user interface element.