Search Bar Interface Replacing Persistent Menus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex menu systems in software applications are difficult to navigate, leading to poor discoverability of functionality, and they consume valuable screen real-estate, especially on handheld devices, making certain functionalities impractical.

Innovation Solution

A search bar is introduced to the user interface, allowing users to access functionality by entering search text, which reduces the need for a persistent menu system, displaying a list of relevant actions and menu components, and dynamically adjusts based on the selected UI component, freeing up screen space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional menu system is used to provide comprehensive functionality, then the software can offer rich features and capabilities, but the menu system becomes complex and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmenu system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the menu system from the user interface by introducing a search bar that replaces traditional menu structures. Users can access all functionality through search queries rather than navigating through hierarchical menus, thereby maintaining comprehensive functionality while eliminating menu system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The search bar acts as an intermediary between the user and the functionality. Instead of directly interacting with complex menu structures, users interact with the search bar, which then translates their queries into appropriate functionality access, simplifying the user interface while maintaining access to all features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a persistent menu system is displayed to provide easy access to functionality, then users can quickly find features, but valuable screen real-estate is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality accessibilityVSAvoidscreen real-estate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static persistent menu system into a dynamic search-based interface. The search bar appears only when needed (when the user interacts with the application), and the search results dynamically adjust based on the selected UI component, providing functionality access without permanently consuming screen space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously displaying the menu system, the search bar is activated periodically when users need access to functionality. This periodic appearance of the search interface provides the same functionality access as a persistent menu while minimizing screen real-estate consumption during normal application use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If functionality is deeply nested within menus and pop-ups to organize complex features, then comprehensive functionality can be provided, but discoverability becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidfunctionality discoverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional menu navigation approach by using search queries to access functionality. Instead of navigating through hierarchical menus to find features, users type what they are looking for, and the system returns matching functionality. This inversion dramatically improves discoverability while maintaining comprehensive functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If the menu system is simplified to improve navigation, then screen real-estate is freed up, but functionality discoverability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemenu system complexityVSAvoidfunctionality discoverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical menu navigation system with a search-based mechanism. Users interact with the system by typing search queries rather than mechanically navigating through menu hierarchies. This substitution maintains simplicity in the interface while improving functionality discoverability through intelligent search results that adapt to the selected UI component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10101880B2Tools on-demand

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 SAP SE

AI summary

A framework for improving user interfaces, and menu systems in particular, is described herein. In one embodiment, a search bar is introduced to the user interface in addition to, or to the exclusion of, menu system components. By reducing or eliminating the need for a persistent menu system UI, screen real-estate is made available for other content displayed by the application. In one embodiment, a user desiring to access functionality exposed by the application enters search text into the search bar. A list of search results is displayed, the list including actions—pieces of functionality exposed by the application—and/or traditional menu system components including menus, context menus, toolbars, pop-ups, widgets, buttons, and the like.