DE-112024003130-T5 - Simplified user interfaces

DE112024003130T5DE 112024003130 T5DE112024003130 T5DE 112024003130T5DE-112024003130-T5

Abstract

A computing device can output a first user interface in a first user interface mode, which includes a variety of selectable user interface elements positioned at specific locations, each corresponding to an action. The computing device can transition from operating in the first user interface mode to operating in a second user interface mode. While operating in the second user interface mode, the computing device can output a second user interface, which includes a single, unified selectable user interface element that replaces the variety of selectable user interface elements. The computing device can detect a first user input that selects the unified selectable user interface element and display a menu of actions corresponding to the variety of selectable user interface elements. The computing device can detect a second user input that selects one of the actions from the menu of actions and execute the selected action.

Inventors

Qian Zhang
Bingying Xia
Lingeng Wang

Assignees

GOOGLE LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240605
Priority Date: 20230725

Claims (15)

Method comprising: Outputting, by one or more processors of a computing device operating in a first user interface mode, a first user interface of an application, wherein the first user interface comprises a plurality of selectable user interface elements, each of which is positioned at a respective location in the first user interface and each of which corresponds to an action; Transferring, by the one or more processors, from operating in the first user interface mode to operating in a second user interface mode that is different from the first user interface mode; and while operating in the second user interface mode: Outputting, by the one or more processors, a second user interface of the application, wherein the second user interface comprises a uniform selectable user interface element that replaces the plurality of selectable user interface elements; Capturing, by the one or more processors, a first user input that selects the uniform selectable user interface element; In response to the capture of the first user input, displaying a menu of actions corresponding to the plurality of selectable user interface elements; Capture, by one or more processors, a second user input selecting one of the actions from the menu of actions; and in response to the capture of the second user input, execute, by one or more processors, the selected action.
Procedure according to Claim 1 , where the menu of actions in the second user interface includes text descriptions of the actions.
Procedure according to Claim 2 , where the menu of actions includes icons that are assigned to the text descriptions.
Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 - 3 , furthermore, including receiving, by one or more processors, a user selection to enter the second user interface mode prior to transitioning to the second user interface mode.
Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 - 4 , furthermore comprehensively determine, by one or more processors, based on user interactions with the computing device, to enter the second user interface mode prior to transitioning to the second user interface mode.
Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 - 5 , furthermore comprehensively changing, by one or more processors, display settings, including text size, based on the transition to the second user interface mode.
Procedure according to Claim 6 , furthermore, comprehensively providing a page for adjusting the display settings for the second user interface mode.
A computing device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to: output, in a first user interface mode, a first user interface of an application, where the first user interface comprises a plurality of selectable user interface elements, each positioned at a distinct location within the first user interface, and each corresponding to an action; transition from operating in the first user interface mode to operating in a second user interface mode that differs from the first user interface mode; and while operating in the second user interface mode: output a second user interface of the application, wherein the second user interface comprises a unified selectable user interface element that replaces the plurality of selectable user interface elements; capture a first user input that selects the unified selectable user interface element; in response to the capture of the first user input, display a menu of actions corresponding to the plurality of selectable user interface elements; Capture a second user input selecting one of the actions from the Actions menu; and in response to the capture of the second user input, execute the selected action.
Computing device according to Claim 8 , where the menu of actions in the second user interface includes text descriptions of the actions.
Computing device according to Claim 9 , where the menu of actions includes icons that are assigned to the text descriptions.
Computing device according to one of the Claims 8 - 10 , wherein one or more processors are configured to receive a user selection to enter the second user interface mode prior to transitioning to the second user interface mode.
Computing device according to one of the Claims 8 - 11 , wherein one or more processors are configured to determine, based on user interactions with the computing device, to enter the second user interface mode prior to transitioning to the second user interface mode.
Computing device according to one of the Claims 8 - 12 , where one or more processors are configured to change display settings, includes text size, based on the transition to the second user interface mode.
Non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to execute any combination of the procedures according to the Claims 1 - 7 to execute.
A computer program product comprising at least one non-volatile, computer-readable medium, includes one or more instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform any combination of the methods according to the Claims 1 - 7 to execute.

Description

RELATED REGISTRATION This application claims the benefit of preliminary status. US registration number 63/515550 , submitted on July 25, 2023, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART Personal computing devices, including smartphones, are becoming increasingly popular. Smartphones are portable computing devices that integrate mobile phone and computer functions. Smartphones typically have a display, a keyboard, and other features such as a camera, internet access, and email. Smartphone applications, also known as mobile apps, are software programs designed to run on smartphones and provide various functionalities and services. Smartphone user interfaces allow users to interact with smartphone devices and apps, providing touch-based input so users can interact with their devices. SUMMARY In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed toward techniques for enabling a computing device to switch between operating in a standard user interface mode and a simplified user interface mode. While operating in the simplified user interface mode, the computing device can generate a simplified version of the user interface instead of a standard user interface. In generating the simplified version of the user interface, the computing device can identify certain user interface elements (e.g., media control buttons, page navigation buttons, volume control buttons, save, delete, undo, and print buttons, search fields, help buttons, etc.) and convert these identified user interface elements into a smaller set of one or more user interface elements that may be more visually prominent and/or more easily located within the user interface. For example, the simplified user interface can identify multiple selectable standard user interface elements within the standard graphical user interface and generate a single, selectable user interface element. The individual selectable user interface element can provide access to a menu of selectable functionalities, services, or other actions associated with the multiple selectable standard user interface elements, which can simplify the visual presentation of the user interface. In various examples, the menu may include text descriptions of the actions. While working in simplified user interface mode, the computing device can also modify how a user navigates within an active application. In the standard user interface, there may be no graphical indication of how to navigate, such as how to scroll horizontally to view additional content. Furthermore, even if a horizontal scroll bar is included in the user interface, it may be difficult for a user to provide input at the scroll bar to effectively scroll the content, given the small size of the scroll bar. Instead of requiring a user to provide input at a horizontal scroll bar, or simply to know that additional content is available and to perform a swipe gesture to scroll it, the computing device can include arrow buttons that provide a clear visual indication that additional content is available and allow users to scroll horizontally by tapping the arrow buttons. The computing device can also replace other gesture functionality of the standard user interface in simplified user interface mode with user interface elements such as buttons. The replaced gesture functionality can include gesture functionality such as vertical scrolling, back, close, and gesture functionality used to view applications. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a procedure comprising: outputting, by one or more processors of a computing device operating in a first user interface mode, a first user interface of an application, wherein the first user interface comprises a plurality of selectable user interface elements, each of which is positioned at a particular location in the first user interface and each of which corresponds to an action; transitioning, by the one or more processors, from operating in the first user interface mode to operating in a second user interface mode that is different from the first user interface mode; and, while operating in the second user interface mode: outputting, by one or more processors, a second user interface of the application, wherein the second user interface includes a unified selectable user interface element that replaces the plurality of selectable user interface elements; capture, by one or more processors, a first user input that selects the unified selectable user interface element; in response to the capture of the first user input, display a menu of actions corresponding to the plurality of selectable user interface elements; capture, by one or more processors, a second user input that selects one of the actions from the menu of actions; and in response to the capture of the second user input, execute, by one or more processors, the selected action. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computing device comprising a memory;