Swipe-Based File Manager Navigation for Hierarchical Directories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interfaces for electronic devices with hierarchical file systems are often complex and unintuitive, making it difficult for users to navigate through multiple directory levels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A swipe-based file manager navigation mode that utilizes vertical swipe gestures to access higher or lower directory levels, accompanied by animations showing content collapsing or expanding, allowing users to visualize the file hierarchy and identify source folders through shading or highlighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional user interfaces are used for navigating hierarchical file systems, then comprehensive file management functionality is achieved, but navigation complexity increases and user intuitiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional navigation approach by using swipe gestures that move opposite to the hierarchical direction: swiping up moves down into subfolders, and swiping down moves up to parent folders. This counterintuitive gesture mapping simplifies the physical motion required while maintaining logical hierarchical navigation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and interface complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to file navigation by mapping hierarchical depth to vertical screen position. Users navigate through multiple directory levels by performing vertical swipe gestures, transforming the abstract hierarchical concept into a tangible spatial movement. This dimensional mapping makes complex file system navigation intuitive and easy to operate
2Loss of information
If multiple directory levels are displayed simultaneously, then file hierarchy visualization is improved, but screen space requirements and interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display behavior where the file manager adapts the number of visible directory levels based on user interaction. During swipe gestures, multiple levels are temporarily displayed to show the hierarchy context, then automatically collapse to a single level for normal viewing. This dynamic adjustment maintains file hierarchy visibility while optimizing screen space usage
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for a swipe based file manager navigation mode in electronic computing devices, such as a touch screen device. Digital files may be organized in a hierarchical or treelike file manager capable of having multiple directory or folder levels. Folders (or directories) may allow a user to group files into separate collections, and folders may be organized within other folders. In some embodiments, the navigation mode may allow a user to navigate through or access the directory levels of the file manager using vertical swipe gestures. In some such embodiments, a vertical gesture performed to access a child (lower) directory level may have to be performed over the directory or folder to be accessed. As the user navigates through the directory levels, the navigation mode may be configured, in some embodiments, to provide animations.