Virtual Browsing via 3D Spatial Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in recalling the location of previously viewed items on mobile devices due to limited screen space, making it hard to navigate back to them in virtual browsing environments compared to physical browsing experiences.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual browsing experience that allows users to control navigation by moving their device within a 3D space, using sensors and cameras to provide proprioception feedback, enabling easier recall of item locations through visual and physical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional 2D scrolling mechanisms are used on mobile displays, then the interface can accommodate browsing on limited screen space, but users cannot easily recall or return to previously viewed items that have moved off-screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D scrolling to a 3D virtual browsing environment where items are arranged in three-dimensional space. Users can navigate by moving the device physically in 3D space, creating a virtual camera that captures items from different angles and positions. This dimensional expansion allows previously viewed items to remain accessible in the 3D space even when not currently in the 2D viewport, solving the problem of losing item location information.
2Productivity
If users scroll through large collections of items on mobile devices, then more items can be accessed, but the time required to locate and return to specific items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback by rendering a 3D representation of the browsing environment that shows the relative positions of multiple items in space. As users move the device, the virtual camera updates in real-time to reflect the new viewing angle, providing immediate feedback about which items are currently visible and where previously viewed items are located in the 3D space. This reduces the time needed to locate and return to specific items.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual browsing experience may be implemented that allows a user to move a mobile device within a physical environment in order to control browser navigation to different items on an associated display. The virtual browsing experience improves the user's ability to recall where previously-viewed items are located in the virtual browsing environment. In some embodiments, a mobile device may determine its position and/or orientation in a physical environment, and when movement of the mobile device is detected, a user interface on an associated display may digitally navigate through multiple items according to the position and/or orientation of the mobile device. The position and orientation of the mobile device may be determined from position information or data obtained by a sensor device of the mobile device, and appropriate subsets of items can be determined for display based on detected movement of the mobile device.