Dynamic Slider Bar Length Adjustment via Device Orientation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operating slider elements on portable devices with small display areas is cumbersome due to the difficulty in precisely moving the slider a small distance to select data from a large data range, such as jumping back 30 seconds in a 2-hour video stream, which requires a very small and precise finger swipe on a 70 mm slider bar.

Innovation Solution

The system adjusts the data range represented by the slider bar based on the orientation of the portable device, allowing indirect control of sensitivity by tilting the device, changing the data range from a default +/-1 minute to +/-120 minutes when tilted, enabling intuitive data selection even on small displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the slider bar length is kept fixed on a small display, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the precision of slider manipulation deteriorates making it difficult to select data points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidslider manipulation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slider bar dynamically adjusts its length based on the device's orientation state. When the device is tilted beyond a threshold angle, the slider bar extends to a second length greater than its first length in the default state. This dynamic adjustment allows the slider bar to adapt to different usage scenarios, providing sufficient manipulation precision when needed while maintaining a compact appearance during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of the slider bar (its length) based on the device orientation parameter. When the device is tilted beyond a threshold angle, the slider bar's length parameter changes from a first length to a second length, enabling users to access a broader data range and improve selection precision without requiring a larger display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the slider bar is made longer to improve data selection precision, then manipulation precision improves, but the device size and display area requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata selection precisionVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of permanently increasing the slider bar length, the system implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The slider bar remains at a compact first length during normal horizontal use, then extends to a longer second length when the device is tilted beyond a threshold angle. This allows high precision data selection to be achieved temporarily when needed, while maintaining a compact form factor during regular use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the data range is expanded to cover the entire video stream, then the slider can represent the full content duration, but the granularity for selecting specific time points decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata range coverageVSAvoidtime point selection granularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slider bar's data range mapping dynamically adjusts based on device orientation. In the default horizontal state, the slider provides fine-grained control for precise time point selection. When tilted beyond a threshold, the slider bar extends and reconfigures to provide broader data range coverage while maintaining appropriate granularity through the extended scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3336674B1Method and system for providing a slider bar control on a graphical user interface of a portable device
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3336674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336674B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3336674B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B.3)

AI summary

There is provided a method and system of providing a slider bar control via a slider bar displayed on a graphical user interface of a portable device, comprising providing a slider bar (30) on the graphical user interface (20), wherein the slider bar (30) defines a data range (R) from which data can be selected by the user, and providing a slider element (31) associated with the slider bar (30) for selecting at least one item of data from the data range (R) by manipulating the slider element (31) through touch by a user input member. The data range (R) is changed in response to an orientation change of the portable device (10) when the orientation of the portable device (10) is changed from a first orientation (α0) to a second orientation (α1).