Single-Click List Selection Interface for Simplified Item Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer user interfaces are complex and difficult for users, especially elderly or handicapped individuals, due to the need for double-clicking and multiple input device actions, which can lead to confusion and difficulty in building lists of items effectively.

Innovation Solution

A user interface that utilizes a single-click selection scheme with a selection pane for navigating storage locations and a list pane for displaying items, allowing users to toggle item inclusion with a single click and navigate storage locations by single-clicking storage location items, simplifying the process of creating and editing lists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If double-clicking is used for item selection, then item selection functionality is achieved, but user complexity and physical demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of item selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of input operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into two distinct panes: a selection pane for navigating storage locations and a list pane for displaying items. This segmentation allows single-click operations to have context-dependent meanings (navigate vs. select) based on which pane the user is interacting with, eliminating the need for double-clicking while maintaining clear functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using double-click to confirm selection (conventional approach), the patent inverts the interaction model by using single-click to toggle selection state directly. The selection state is visually indicated through interface feedback, reversing the traditional multi-step confirmation process into a single action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If multiple input device actions are required, then precise control is achieved, but user confusion and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of input controlVSAvoidease of interface manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single-click action serves multiple functions depending on context: clicking on storage location items navigates to that location, while clicking on discrete items toggles their selection state. This multi-functional single-click approach maintains precise control without requiring multiple different input actions, reducing user confusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface provides visual feedback to indicate the current state and expected outcome of single-click actions. The selection pane highlights storage locations and the list pane shows selection status, allowing users to understand the precise effect of their single-click actions without ambiguity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If double-clicking within a certain time is required, then selection accuracy is improved, but accessibility for elderly or handicapped users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of selectionVSAvoidadaptability to different user abilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameter of interaction from requiring rapid double-clicks within a time window to allowing single-clicks at any pace. This parameter change makes the interface accessible to users with motor difficulties while maintaining selection accuracy through clear visual indicators of the current state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If direct checkbox selection is used, then list building functionality is achieved, but physical manipulation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of list creationVSAvoidease of physical manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The list pane acts as an intermediary between the selection pane and the final list output. Users interact with items in the list pane through single-click toggling rather than directly manipulating checkboxes or dragging items, which simplifies physical manipulation while maintaining efficient list building capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10216383B2Single action selection of data elements

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Various aspects and attributes of a single-click list selection user interface are described herein. A user can toggle the list inclusion status of any item by single clicking on the item in a selection pane of the user interface. When the user single-clicks a storage container item, the selection pane navigates to and displays items in the selected storage container. In order to prevent inadvertent selections, the user interface may provide graphical feedback indicating the inclusion status of an item prior to the user single clicking that item, e.g., responsive to mouse hover over that item. The user interface may further include a list pane which displays all items presently included in the list, regardless of each item's original storage container.