Superimposed Control and Content Areas in Graphical User Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are inefficient for tasks requiring simultaneous viewing and manipulation of content and control fields, as they often require significant eye movement and do not allow for optimal display of control fields without reducing the visibility of content.
Innovation Solution
The GUI is configured to superimpose control and content areas, allowing them to be viewed simultaneously with the control area being larger and more prominent, enabling users to manage content sources efficiently by overlapping them, and optionally changing opacity for better visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control fields are displayed prominently and larger in size, then ease of operation is improved, but content visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control area and content area into a single integrated display space where control fields are superimposed over content. This allows both control fields and content to occupy the same visual space simultaneously, enabling users to view and manipulate control fields without completely obscuring the underlying content. The control fields are displayed at a reduced opacity level, allowing partial transparency that maintains content visibility while preserving control field prominence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional solution by displaying control fields at different opacity levels than the content area. By using transparency/opacity as an additional dimension, the system allows control fields to be visually prominent and easily operable while the content remains visible through the semi-transparent control field overlay. This resolves the contradiction by adding a new visual dimension rather than competing for the same visual real estate at full opacity.
2Ease of operation
If control area and content area are displayed separately, then each area can be optimized independently, but eye movement increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control area and content area into a single integrated display region where control fields are superimposed over the content area. This spatial merging eliminates the need for users to move their eyes between separate display regions. Users can simultaneously view control fields and content within the same visual field, significantly reducing eye movement time and improving productivity during document review tasks.
3Ease of operation
If control fields are made larger and more prominent, then ease of operation is improved, but the area available for content display is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of opacity/transparency for control fields rather than increasing their physical size. By reducing the opacity level of control fields, the system maintains large, prominent control fields that are easy to view and manipulate, while simultaneously preserving the display area for content. The semi-transparent control fields allow content to be visible through them, effectively decoupling control field prominence from content display area reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for displaying a graphical user interface on the display device. Methods include displaying a control area on a graphical user interface, the control area including at least one control field associated with an attribute of a content source, the control field being configured to be viewable via the control area and displaying a content area on the graphical user interface such that the control area and the content area are at least partially superimposed and simultaneously visible on the graphical user interface, the content area displaying content of at least a portion of the content source.