Setting-Item Buttons With Adaptive Radio-Toggle Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack efficient methods for managing and displaying settings options for multiple values of setting items, particularly when the number of options exceeds two, leading to user confusion and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a controller that functions as a value state manager, button operation determiner, and screen controller, which determines the operation type of buttons (radio or toggle) based on the number of visible values, and controls the display of choices accordingly, enabling seamless switching of settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the number of visible values for a setting item is three or more, then the user can see all available options, but the interface becomes more complex and harder to operate efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of all optionsVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the button operation into two distinct types: radio type for displaying multiple choices and toggle type for instant switching with limited choices. This segmentation allows the system to adapt the interface behavior based on the number of visible values, resolving the contradiction between showing all options and maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the button operation dynamic by determining whether to use radio type or toggle type based on the number of visible values. When there are three or more visible values, radio type is used to display choices; when there are two visible values, toggle type is used for instant switching. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by choosing the appropriate interaction mode based on the current state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the button operation displays all choices for a setting item, then the user can select from all available values, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interface behavior into two modes: radio type mode for displaying multiple choices when three or more values are visible, and toggle type mode for instant switching when two values are visible. This segmentation simplifies the interface by using the appropriate mode based on the number of visible values, reducing overall interface complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of the button based on the number of visible values. When the number of visible values is three or more, the button operates as a radio type button displaying choices; when the number is two, it operates as a toggle type button for instant switching. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the interface behavior to the current state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the system uses toggle type operation for instant switching, then the operation speed increases, but the user cannot see all available choices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting switching speedVSAvoidvisibility of all options

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the button operation dynamic by determining the operation type based on the number of visible values. When two values are visible, toggle type is used for fast instant switching; when three or more values are visible, radio type is used to display all choices. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by choosing the appropriate mode based on the current state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250321666A1Electronic apparatus determining one of radio type and toggle type as operation of button for setting item and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing setting program

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a display device, an operation device, and a controller functioning as a value state manager, a button operation determiner, and a screen controller. The value state manager is able to set Visible as a state of a value regarding a predetermined setting item. In a case where a button is operated by the operation device, the button operation determiner determines a toggle type when the number of values of which the state is Visible is two, and determines a radio type when the number of values is three or more. The screen controller displays values as choices on the display device when the radio type is determined, and does not display the choices on the display device and instantly switches a set value of the predetermined setting item to a predetermined value when the toggle type is determined.