Toolbar Navigation via Segmented Page Swiping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited screen space on devices such as smartphones restricts the number of toolbar buttons that can be displayed simultaneously, and existing solutions like drop-down menus and scrolling can obscure other areas of the screen and make it difficult to visually appreciate the items being navigated.
Innovation Solution
Organizing toolbar items into an ordered set of pages, where user input determines the direction and speed of page navigation through continuous swipe gestures, with animated transitions and virtual touchpad options, allowing for a large number of items to be accessible without using drop-down panels or scrolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If more toolbar buttons are displayed simultaneously, then the number of accessible items increases, but the screen space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbar items are segmented into multiple pages, with each page containing a manageable number of items that fit within the limited screen space. Users can navigate between pages to access the full set of toolbar items without requiring all items to be displayed simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-dimensional linear toolbar to a multi-dimensional pagination system. By adding the page navigation dimension, the system accommodates more toolbar items within the same screen real estate, effectively increasing capacity without proportionally increasing area.
2Quantity of substance
If drop-down menus or scrolling are used to access additional toolbar items, then the number of accessible items increases, but visual clarity and screen obstruction worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbar implements dynamic page switching based on user interaction. When users swipe or navigate to a different page, the toolbar items dynamically transition to the new set of items. This dynamic behavior allows all items to be accessible while maintaining clear visibility of the currently active page's items without obstruction.
3Ease of operation
If the toolbar button size is increased for touch screen usability, then the ease of operation improves, but the number of buttons that can be displayed simultaneously decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting toolbar items into multiple pages, each item can be given sufficient size for comfortable touch interaction. The segmentation allows the system to maintain larger, more touch-friendly button sizes while still providing access to a large total number of items through page navigation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for navigating a collection of toolbar items that are displayed on an electronic display screen. The toolbar items, such as buttons, are organized into an ordered set of toolbar pages. Each toolbar page contains a fixed number of toolbar items. One toolbar page from the set is displayed at a time in a fixed display area, e.g., a tile, on the display screen. User input causes the currently displayed toolbar page to be replaced by another toolbar page in the ordered set. The user input, such as a continuous swipe gesture across the toolbar display tile, determines the direction of navigation through pages in the ordered set and the speed of the page navigation. The toolbar display area can show the position of the currently displayed toolbar in the ordered set and animated transitions between toolbar items may be displayed to signal toolbar page replacements. A user input, such as a tap of a finger, can select the replacement toolbar.