Touch Menu Hierarchy Navigation for Limited-Interface Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigating complex menu structures on limited user interface devices such as smartwatches and head-mounted displays for interacting with media content is tedious and inefficient, requiring multiple inputs to reach desired options.
Innovation Solution
A messaging application that utilizes multiple types of user inputs to seamlessly navigate through a menu hierarchy, allowing users to switch between levels with one-finger touch and return to previous levels with two-finger touch, enhancing efficiency on devices with limited interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional menu navigation is used on limited user interface devices, then comprehensive menu options can be provided, but navigation becomes tedious and inefficient requiring multiple inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic menu navigation where the menu structure adapts based on user interaction state. The menu transitions between collapsed and expanded states, and between different hierarchy levels, allowing efficient navigation without requiring the interface to be statically complex. This resolves the contradiction by making the interface simple by default but capable of becoming more detailed when needed through dynamic state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu hierarchy is segmented into multiple levels that can be independently navigated. Each menu item can be expanded to reveal sub-items, allowing users to access detailed options without overwhelming the initial interface. This segmentation enables comprehensive menu functionality while maintaining a clean, simple starting state that doesn't require multiple separate screens or complex navigation structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple menu levels are provided, then comprehensive options are available, but the number of pages and inputs needed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The menu system uses dynamic expansion and collapse of menu levels, allowing users to quickly access deep menu options without traversing through multiple static screens. The menu can expand to show detailed options and then collapse back, reducing the time needed to navigate through comprehensive menu structures by eliminating the need to wait for page transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu hierarchy implements a nested structure where sub-menu items are contained within parent menu items. This allows multiple levels of menu options to be accessed through a single continuous interaction sequence rather than requiring separate pages for each level. The nested structure enables comprehensive menu functionality while minimizing navigation time by keeping related options spatially and functionally connected.
3Ease of operation
If touch input gestures are simplified, then ease of operation improves, but navigation control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different touch gesture requirements to different navigation contexts. Single-tap gestures are used for selecting menu items at higher levels where precision is less critical, while multi-finger gestures are used for navigating between menu levels or selecting items where more precise control is needed. This local differentiation of gesture complexity allows the interface to maintain simplicity where possible while providing precision control where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of touch input recognition based on the current menu state and the intended navigation action. The touch sensor distinguishes between different numbers of fingers, touch duration, and touch location to provide appropriate navigation control. This parameter-based differentiation allows simplified gestures for routine operations while maintaining precise control for critical navigation decisions without requiring the user to consciously adjust their input method.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for navigating messaging application interfaces. The systems and methods include operations for: displaying, by a messaging application of a user device, a menu comprising a first set of options relating to a first level in a hierarchy of levels; detecting, by a touch sensor, one finger touch of a first option of the first set of options; in response to detecting the one finger touch of the first option, displaying, by the messaging application, a second set of options related to the first option, the second set of options relating to a second level in the hierarchy of levels; detecting, by the touch sensor, two finger touch of a second option of the second set of options; and in response to detecting the two finger touch of the second option, re-displaying, by the messaging application, the first set of options.