Information Processing Apparatus Thumbnail Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing apparatuses struggle to effectively display and manage multiple display regions larger than the screen, requiring users to scroll through content, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a touch-sensitive interface with a control unit, storage unit, image processing unit, and display unit to manage display regions by allowing users to switch between them through intuitive gestures and operations, enabling seamless scrolling and switching of content within the display regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple display regions larger than the screen are managed through conventional scrolling operations, then all display elements can be viewed, but user operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing a thumbnail navigation bar that displays miniature versions of multiple display regions along the vertical edge of the screen. This allows users to navigate between display regions by selecting thumbnails in a different spatial dimension (along the screen edge) rather than scrolling through content in the traditional horizontal/vertical viewing area. The thumbnail bar provides a compact overview dimension that enables quick switching between regions without time-consuming scrolling operations.
2Quantity of substance
If display regions are made larger to accommodate more content, then information capacity increases, but the ability to display all elements at once decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating thumbnail copies of each display region and arranging them in a compact navigation bar along the screen edge. These thumbnails are simplified representations that fit within the limited screen real estate while preserving the essential visual identity of each region. Users can quickly scan and select from these copied representations to access the full-sized display regions, thereby maintaining high content capacity while ensuring easy access to any region through the thumbnail interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional window switching is used to manage multiple display regions, then display region switching is possible, but user interaction becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by separating the navigation function from the content display area. The thumbnail navigation bar is extracted and positioned along the vertical edge of the screen, distinct from the main content regions. This extraction allows the navigation mechanism to operate independently with simple thumbnail selection gestures, while the main display areas remain undisturbed. Users can switch between display regions by interacting with the extracted thumbnail bar without affecting or complicating the content display areas, thereby simplifying the overall interface while maintaining versatile display region management.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Provided is an information processing apparatus configured to: display on a screen a display target range, which is a part of a first display region extending along a first direction, so as to be superimposed on a first background image; move, when an operation of specifying a direction along the first direction is received from a user in a state in which the display target range is displayed, the display target range in the first display region in accordance with the specified direction without changing a display position of the first background image; and display a predetermined partial range of a second display region extending along the first direction so as to be superimposed on a second background image when an operation of specifying a direction along a second direction intersecting the first direction is received from the user, irrespective of whether or not the display target range is moved.