Two-Level Hierarchy Gallery Bar for Office Formatting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of formatting options in graphical user interfaces for Office-style suite application programs leads to features becoming obscured, making it difficult for users to access and utilize advanced formatting functionalities efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A two-tier graphical user interface is introduced, featuring a gallery bar with first-level tabs for high-level formatting options and second-level tabs with thumbnail templates, allowing users to easily discover and use advanced features. This interface can be customized by reordering buttons and thumbnails, and is contextually adjustable across different application programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more formatting features are added to the formatting menu and toolbar, then formatting functionality is enhanced, but features become obscured and harder to access
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting menu is segmented into multiple tabs (Home, Insert, Design, Layout, References, Mailings, Review, View) that group related formatting features together. This segmentation allows comprehensive formatting functionality to be organized into manageable sections, preventing features from becoming obscured while maintaining ease of access to specific formatting tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the formatting interface by organizing tabs at one level and grouping related features within each tab. This dimensional organization allows users to navigate through structured levels rather than searching through a flat, overwhelming list of all formatting options simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more formatting features are added to create greater formatting functionality, then user capability is enhanced, but the menu and toolbar become larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting menu is divided into distinct tabs that segment comprehensive formatting functionality into logical groups. This segmentation maintains a consistent, manageable menu structure even as formatting features are expanded, preventing the menu from becoming unwieldy while preserving access to enhanced formatting capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab-based menu structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it organizes features, provides navigation hierarchy, groups related tools, and maintains consistency across different application programs. This multi-functionality allows the menu structure to support expanded formatting features without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If formatting features are placed in the formatting menu, then logical access is provided, but features may become obscured in the expanded menu
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the formatting menu into multiple tabs, related features are grouped together in dedicated sections. This segmentation ensures that features remain visible and accessible within their logical categories rather than being lost in an expanded, unorganized menu structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs act as intermediaries between the user and the comprehensive list of formatting features. Each tab mediates access to a specific category of formatting functions, providing logical organization while preventing feature obscuration through the intermediary tab structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface is disclosed which allows users to interface with a computer operating system and/or application programs running in conjunction with the operating system. For an Office-style suite application program, a gallery bar may be displayed under the main task row of functions. The gallery bar has a first tier of tabs, where each tab corresponds to a high level formatting option associated with the current application program being used from the suite. When a user selects one of the first level tabs, a row of second level tabs is provided for the first selected tab. These second level tabs provide users with a simple range of functionality associated with the user's most commonly used formatting tasks. A gallery of thumbnail templates of various document types or other categories is also displayed in association with the second level options. These gallery thumbnails provide an easy and engaging manner for discovering and using advanced features in the Office suite of application programs.