Switchable Bar Region for Dynamic Screen Space Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

User interfaces on electronic devices often require a switchable bar region that can change from a regular to an expanded state based on user interactions or situations, but existing solutions lack efficient methods for dynamically adjusting the height and functionality of these regions to enhance user experience.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor and display that displays a user interface with a content region and an expandable bar region, allowing users to input changes in height, switching the expanded bar region to a regular bar region based on input, such as drag gestures or mode changes, to optimize screen space and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bar region is expanded to provide more information and actions, then the functionality and information provision are improved, but the screen space for content region is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of bar regionVSAvoidscreen space for content region

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bar region is implemented as a dynamic element that can switch between expanded and collapsed states. The processor detects user inputs (such as dragging the separator or rotating the device) and automatically adjusts the bar region's size accordingly, allowing the interface to adapt its functionality based on the current situation without manual intervention for each state change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the height parameter of the bar region dynamically. When the device is in landscape mode or when specific user interactions occur, the bar region's height is increased to provide expanded functionality. Conversely, when in portrait mode or when the user prefers more content space, the bar region's height is reduced to a collapsed state, effectively changing the physical parameter to resolve the space conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the bar region height is increased to provide expanded functionality, then the user experience is improved, but the content region area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidcontent region area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interface employs dynamic adjustment of the bar region based on real-time detection of device orientation and user interactions. The processor continuously monitors whether the device is in landscape or portrait mode and automatically expands or collapses the bar region accordingly, providing an seamless user experience without requiring manual resizing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of the bar region's size based on pre-defined conditions such as device orientation. When the device is rotated to landscape mode, the interface automatically expands the bar region without user intervention. Similarly, when rotated back to portrait mode, it automatically collapses, allowing the system to serve itself in managing the interface layout based on situational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bar region is made switchable between expanded and collapsed states, then the adaptability to different situations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitchability of bar regionVSAvoidinterface control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching mechanism operates autonomously based on simple trigger conditions. The processor detects basic events such as device rotation or drag gestures and automatically transitions the bar region between expanded and collapsed states without requiring complex user commands or manual configuration, thereby maintaining simplicity despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by focusing on a single critical parameter - the height of the bar region. All switching logic revolves around changing this one parameter in response to simple conditions like device orientation or user gestures, avoiding the need for complex multi-parameter control mechanisms while still achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11714538B2Electronic device, method, and computer-readable medium for switchable bar region of user interface

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The storage medium can store one or more programs including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors in an electronic device with a display, cause the electronic device to use the display to display a user interface of an application program while the application program is running, the user interface having a first height, which is higher than a reference height, and including a content region and an expanded bar region directly above the content region, receive an input for changing the first height of the user interface being displayed to a second height shorter than the reference height, and use the display to switch the expanded bar region, included in the user interface of the application program, into a regular bar region having a smaller area than the area of the expanded bar region, based on receiving the input.