Scrollable List Navigation Without Scroll Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
On computing devices with small display screens, especially those without touch-enabled screens, the traditional scroll bar and scroll thumb for list browsing interfere with content presentation and offer limited interaction benefits, occupying valuable space.
Innovation Solution
A method for displaying a scrollable list that conveys information about the list's size and select indicator's location without using a scroll bar or scroll thumb, by moving the select indicator and scrolling the list in an opposing direction upon user input, allowing for space-efficient and interactive list navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scroll bar and scroll thumb are used for list browsing, then list navigation interaction is enabled, but display space is occupied and content presentation is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional scroll bar and scroll thumb components from the display interface. By extracting these elements, the display space previously occupied by them is freed up for content presentation, while list navigation functionality is maintained through alternative means such as selective highlighting and keyboard controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the list items themselves serve multiple functions: they both present content information and provide navigation indicators. The selective highlighting mechanism serves both as a content display element and as a navigation guide, eliminating the need for separate scroll bar components.
2Loss of information
If a scroll bar and scroll thumb are used to convey list size and location information, then user awareness of list state is improved, but valuable display space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information display function with the content presentation function. The selected list item's highlighting and positioning simultaneously convey both the current selection state and provide navigation cues, combining multiple information delivery mechanisms into a single integrated display element.
Solution Approach 2:
The list items themselves provide the information about list size and location through their own visual properties. The selected item's position, highlighting, and relationship to other items naturally convey navigation state without requiring separate indicator components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional scroll bar components are used on small display screens, then list browsing functionality is provided, but the interface becomes less space-efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic highlighting system that adapts to different list states and screen sizes. The visual feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts based on the selected item's position and the list's overall state, providing effective navigation cues without fixed overhead components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the visual parameters of list items based on their selection state and position. By dynamically adjusting highlighting intensity, color, and positioning parameters, the system conveys navigation information effectively while maximizing the use of available display space.
Data Source
AI summary
The display of a scrollable list of items is described. In one disclosed embodiment, a list of items may be displayed on a scrollable computing device display in such a manner that, upon receiving an input requesting movement of a select indicator to a different list item, the select indicator is moved on the display toward the different list item and the list is scrolled on the display in an opposing direction.