Multi-Zone Viewing Interface for Gesture-Triggered Content Interaction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for electronic content sharing are difficult to navigate, confusing, and inefficient, leading to negative user experiences and increased computing resource usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing user interfaces with multiple interaction zones, including a regular and extended interaction zone, to facilitate easier navigation and provide user-selectable contextual information, allowing transitions between viewing and interaction states through gestures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional single-zone user interfaces are used for content sharing, then the interface structure is simple, but navigation is difficult and user experience is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidinterface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is divided into multiple distinct interaction zones (first interaction zone, second interaction zone, third interaction zone) with each zone serving specific functions. This segmentation allows users to navigate more efficiently by providing dedicated areas for different types of interactions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and ease of navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from a traditional single-zone two-dimensional layout to a multi-zone spatial arrangement that adds dimensional organization. By distributing interaction elements across multiple zones with different spatial relationships, the interface becomes more navigable without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex user interfaces with multiple features are implemented, then functionality is enhanced, but computing resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and caches content metadata, interaction options, and interface elements in advance based on predicted user needs. By preparing interaction zones and content beforehand, the system reduces real-time processing requirements and power consumption while maintaining enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface implements selective loading of interaction features based on user behavior and context. Not all interaction zones and features are activated simultaneously; instead, the system loads only the necessary portions needed for current user actions, reducing overall computing resource usage while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If traditional content sharing interfaces are used, then the interface is simple to implement, but user engagement and interaction are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinterface design

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-zone interface design serves multiple functions within a unified structure: the first zone handles basic interactions, the second zone provides advanced options, and the third zone enables contextual actions. This universal design improves user interaction efficiency without requiring separate interfaces for different functions, balancing productivity gains with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If more contextual information is provided to users, then user experience is improved, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontextual information deliveryVSAvoiddata processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Contextual information is delivered locally and selectively to specific interaction zones based on user needs and context, rather than providing all information uniformly across the interface. Each zone receives only the relevant contextual data necessary for its specific function, improving information delivery efficiency while reducing overall data processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12524146B2User interface including multiple interaction zones

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 SNAP INC

AI summary

A content request is received from a user device of a viewing user of an interaction system. An interaction application executing at the user device presents a viewing user interface that includes a content zone and an interaction zone. A third-party content item is presented in the content zone. The interaction zone comprises a first interaction subzone located in a lower section of the viewing user interface, outside of the content zone. The first interaction subzone includes a user-selectable interaction element. The interaction zone further comprises a second interaction subzone positioned adjacent to the first interaction subzone in the lower section of the viewing user interface. The second interaction subzone is located inside of the content zone and includes a user-selectable context element. Responsive to detecting an interaction gesture directed at the interaction zone, the interaction application automatically transitions from a viewing state to an interaction state.