On-screen marker for scrolling position tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in maintaining their position while scrolling through large documents on small-screen devices due to variable and imprecise scrolling mechanisms, leading to loss of place and increased time spent rescaning content.

Innovation Solution

A virtual marker is automatically placed and moves with the departure point during scrolling operations, providing a clear indication of the user's position on the screen, which can be configured for visibility, animation, and duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a scroll bar is used for scrolling on a small screen, then scrolling functionality is provided, but the user loses their place during scrolling and requires more time to rescan content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrolling operationVSAvoidtime to rescan content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A marker is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the scrolling content. The marker visually indicates the user's position in the document during scrolling operations, serving as a mediator that prevents loss of place without requiring the user to rescan content manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The marker provides continuous visual feedback about the user's current position in the document as they scroll. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand where they are in the content without having to stop and rescan, thereby reducing the time lost during scrolling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If the scroll bar elevator is small to accommodate long documents, then more content can be displayed, but the user has difficulty tracking their position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of content displayedVSAvoidposition tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The marker acts as an intermediary reference point that enhances position tracking accuracy independent of the scroll bar elevator size. Even when the elevator is small to accommodate long documents, the marker provides a clear visual indicator of the user's location, solving the position tracking problem without requiring a larger elevator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If scrolling is implemented with variable movement to reach text bodies, links or images, then navigation flexibility is improved, but the user loses their place more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrolling navigationVSAvoidposition consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marker provides consistent visual feedback about the user's position regardless of the variable scrolling movements. Even when scrolling jumps to different text bodies, links, or images, the marker reliably indicates where the user is, maintaining position consistency and reducing the frequency of losing one's place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8520030B2On-screen marker to assist usability while scrolling

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

In a non-limiting aspect thereof, the exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method including placing a marker on a display, where the marker is placed automatically at a departure point on the display upon sensing a scrolling operation, and moving the marker on the display, where the marker moves with the departure point during the scrolling operation.