Sliding Bar Navigation Interface for Mobile Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern software applications often require multiple clicks to navigate between different functions, especially when these functions do not share the same parent link, and the limited screen size of mobile devices restricts the display of all functions simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A user interface design featuring sliding bars at the edges of the screen, allowing users to easily navigate between functions by selecting sliding bars, which updates the center visualization to display corresponding content without occupying central space, enabling efficient use of screen real estate and clear hierarchical navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are implemented in a single application with hierarchical navigation, then the application functionality is enhanced, but the number of clicks required to navigate between functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a horizontal dimension for navigation by placing navigation links at the edges of the display (left, right, top, bottom) rather than requiring vertical hierarchical navigation. This allows users to access functions across different hierarchical levels by sliding horizontally along the edge, reducing the number of clicks needed to navigate between functions that do not share the same parent link.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more functions are displayed on the user interface, then the application versatility is improved, but the screen space available for each function is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the edge areas of the display (which would otherwise be unused space) to position navigation links and sliding bars. This allows multiple navigation options to be accessible without encroaching on the central display area where functional content is shown, effectively adding navigation capacity in a dimensional space that does not compete with content display space.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation interface is segmented into distinct components: edge-positioned navigation links, sliding bars that appear at edges, and a central content area. This segmentation allows the navigation system to occupy minimal screen real estate while providing comprehensive access to all functions, maintaining large central space for functional content display.
3Ease of operation
If first-level links are displayed when a user is in a second-level link, then navigation flexibility is improved, but the display layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions navigation links and sliding bars at the periphery (edges) of the display rather than overlaying or integrating them into the central content area. This spatial separation maintains a clean, simple central display layout while providing persistent access to parent-level and sibling-level functions through the edge-positioned navigation elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A presented user interface may include one or more sliding bars. Initially, a first user interface of an application that includes a first set of visualizations is displayed. Each of the first set of visualization corresponds to a set of functions of the application. In response to a user indication that one of the first set of visualizations is selected, a second user interface is displayed. The second user interface includes a center visualization and one or more sliding bars. In particular, the center visualization corresponds to the selected one of the first set of visualization. At least one of the one or more sliding bars is displayed at a first edge of the second user interface, and each of the at least one of the one or more sliding bars corresponds to one of the first set of visualizations.