Soft Key Tab Index Navigation for Mobile Property Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating between tabbed property sheets on mobile devices is cumbersome due to the reliance on input methods like stylus or directional pad, which often requires using both hands and additional steps to switch between sheets.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize soft key buttons or icons to modify the tab index of displayed property sheets, allowing one-touch navigation between sheets without requiring the use of auxiliary input devices like stylus or directional pad, by detecting soft key events and updating the tab index accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tabbed property sheets are navigated using stylus or directional pad on mobile devices, then navigation between property sheets is possible, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the navigation function with the existing soft key buttons already present on mobile devices. Instead of requiring separate stylus or directional pad operations, the soft key buttons are integrated to directly control property sheet navigation, merging the navigation function into the device's existing interface structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft key buttons on the mobile device serve dual purposes: their traditional functions and property sheet navigation. The device's existing buttons are made self-sufficient for navigation tasks, eliminating the need for additional input devices like stylus or directional pad for this specific function.
2Productivity
If directional pad is used to navigate to tabs by cycling through all elements, then tab selection is possible, but the process requires multiple steps and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The soft key buttons are pre-configured with navigation functions, allowing users to jump directly to desired property sheets without cycling through intermediate elements. The navigation capability is prepared in advance through software configuration, enabling immediate response to user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables direct navigation to target property sheets by skipping intermediate tabs and elements. Instead of requiring users to cycle through all elements sequentially, the system allows jumping directly to the desired destination, rushing through the navigation process to minimize time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If small left and right arrow buttons are added to reveal hidden tabs, then tab visibility is improved, but additional stylus clicks are required increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The soft key buttons are designed to perform multiple functions: their traditional roles and property sheet navigation including revealing hidden tabs. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate arrow buttons, as the soft keys can contextually perform navigation and tab revelation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tab revelation function from separate physical arrow buttons and integrates it into the soft key button functionality. By removing the need for dedicated arrow buttons and incorporating their function into the existing soft keys, the interface is simplified while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Navigation between a plurality of property sheets on a display of a mobile electronic device, each of the property sheets having a tab index and a layout defining a plurality of elements. One of the property sheets is a displayed property sheet and one of the elements is a current active element. Navigation includes (i) storing the tab index of the displayed property sheet as a current tab index; (ii) detecting a soft key event; regardless of which of the elements is a current active element, (iii) modifying the current tab index based on a soft key identifier of the soft key event to create an updated tab index; and (iv) displaying another property sheet of the plurality of property sheets on the display, the another property sheet having a tab index equal to the updated tab index.