Synthesized Reality Interface for Spatial File Grouping and Playback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating among a large number of data items such as audio files, video files, or webpages to locate a particular item can be cumbersome, and transitioning between them can result in sonic discordance.
Innovation Solution
An SR user interface is developed that displays an SR volumetric environment with group representations of data items, allowing users to rearrange, organize, and select groups of data items using intuitive gestures and interactions, and play multiple files concurrently while maintaining sonic harmony.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional file navigation interfaces are used to browse large numbers of data items, then users can locate specific files, but the navigation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms traditional 2D file browser interfaces into a 3D spatial environment where files are represented as virtual objects positioned in volumetric space. Users can navigate by moving through this 3D space, approaching files from different directions, and interacting with multiple files simultaneously. This dimensional transformation allows efficient browsing of large datasets by providing spatial organization and multiple navigation pathways, reducing the cognitive load and time required to locate specific files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides large collections of data items into smaller groups or clusters based on metadata attributes such as file type, creation date, or user-defined categories. These segmented groups are then positioned at different locations in the 3D space, allowing users to navigate to specific groups rather than searching through individual files. This segmentation reduces navigation complexity by organizing information hierarchically and spatially.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio files are played sequentially to browse content, then users can sample different files, but sonic discordance occurs during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an audio analysis system that continuously monitors the currently playing file's characteristics (tempo, key, genre) and uses this feedback to select the next file in the sequence. The system analyzes metadata and audio features to identify files with compatible characteristics, ensuring smooth transitions. This feedback mechanism prevents sonic discordance by maintaining audio coherence across file transitions while still allowing users to browse diverse content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-analyzes audio files to extract metadata such as tempo, key signature, and genre classification before playback. This preliminary processing allows the system to plan ahead and select compatible files for sequential playback, avoiding discordant transitions. The pre-computed information is stored and used to guide the playback sequence, ensuring sonic harmony while maintaining playback flexibility.
3Loss of information
If detailed metadata information is displayed for each data item, then users can identify specific files, but the interface becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays different levels of information detail at different spatial scales. When users view files from a distance in the 3D space, only essential identifying features (such as file type icons or brief titles) are visible. As users approach specific files, more detailed metadata information becomes available. This local quality approach ensures that files remain identifiable at all distances while preventing interface clutter, as detailed information is only presented when spatially relevant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic information display that adapts to user interaction and spatial position. Metadata details are not statically displayed but appear and disappear based on user actions such as approaching files, selecting groups, or requesting specific information. The interface dynamically adjusts the amount and type of information presented, maintaining simplicity during navigation while providing comprehensive details when needed for file identification.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
In various implementations, methods of presenting a synthesized reality (SR) user interface are disclosed, including moving a data item in SR user interface, regrouping data items in an SR user interface, selecting groups of data items in an SR user interface, and playing audio files represented by data items in an SR user interface.