User-Resizable Icons for Dynamic Display Space Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interfaces, especially on mobile devices, limit icons to a single or two fixed sizes, making it difficult for users to efficiently manage information and resources in limited display space, as users cannot resize icons individually without affecting other display items.
Innovation Solution
Implementing user-interactable icons that allow resizing through integrated resizing controls, enabling users to change icon sizes and rearrange the display dynamically, while keeping other items unchanged, to accommodate resized icons and optimize display space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If icons are limited to fixed sizes in conventional user interfaces, then the interface structure is simple and easy to implement, but the user cannot efficiently manage information and resources in limited display space
Solution Approach 1:
The icon resizing feature transforms the static icon size into a dynamic parameter. Users can interact with icons to enter a resizing mode, where the icon size becomes adjustable rather than fixed. This dynamic adjustment allows the interface to adapt to different user needs and display space requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the system flexible while maintaining a relatively simple implementation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the size parameter of icons from a fixed value to a user-adjustable variable. By allowing users to modify the size parameter directly through interaction with the icon itself (rather than through complex menu systems), the interface gains adaptability while keeping the control mechanism simple. This parameter change approach enables efficient information management in limited space without significantly increasing interface complexity.
2Productivity
If users can resize icons individually, then display space utilization is optimized, but the display layout becomes complex requiring rearrangement of other items
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the display layout into independent icon units that can be individually resized. Each icon becomes an independent element that can be adjusted without necessarily affecting others. When an icon is resized, the system handles rearrangement on a per-icon basis rather than requiring complete layout reconstruction, thus optimizing display space utilization while managing layout complexity through segmented, modular adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The layout system transitions from a static arrangement to a dynamic one where icons can be resized and automatically rearranged. The rearrangement process is handled dynamically by the system in response to user resizing actions, allowing display space optimization while abstracting away the complexity of layout management from the user. The system automatically manages the repositioning of other icons to accommodate size changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple icon sizes are provided with menu options, then user choice is increased, but the operation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The icon itself becomes the control mechanism for resizing, eliminating the need for separate menu systems. Users interact directly with the icon to enter resizing mode and adjust its size, making the icon self-service rather than requiring external control through complex menus. This approach provides multiple size options while maintaining operational simplicity, as the resizing functionality is integrated into the icon interaction itself rather than requiring navigation through multiple menu levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The resizing functionality is extracted from the traditional menu-based control system and integrated directly into the icon interaction. By taking out the resizing control from the complex menu structure and embedding it within the icon itself, the system provides multiple size options without requiring users to navigate through time-consuming menu hierarchies. This extraction simplifies the operation process while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer media for resizing icons displayed in a user interface are provided. Icons in a display can be resized by a user interacting with the icon itself. A user interaction with an icon can cause an icon resizing mode to be entered. Additional user interaction with the icon can then cause the icon to be resized. The display in which an icon is located can be rearranged as a result of the icon being resized.