Adaptive graphical user interface for appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for household appliances with touch-sensitive displays suffer from insufficient user friendliness and low intuitive operability, making it difficult for users to modify settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and graphical user interface that utilizes a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit to allow users to change appliance settings through a single drag interaction, with intuitive graphical representations and value range indications to guide the user, reducing the need for multiple touches and enhancing operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional touch-sensitive display interface is used for controlling household appliances, then the appliance can be controlled digitally, but the user friendliness and intuitive operability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical representation dynamically changes based on user interaction state. When a symbol is touched and dragged, the interface transitions from a static overview display to an active control mode where the touched symbol is highlighted and value range indications are displayed, making the interface adaptive to user needs and improving intuitiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual intermediaries including value range indications (e.g., colored bars or markers) that mediate between the user's drag gesture and the resulting setting value. These visual cues provide continuous feedback during the dragging operation, making the relationship between finger position and setting value intuitive and easy to understand
2Ease of operation
If multiple touches at different locations are required to change settings, then precise control is possible, but the operability becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control operations into a single drag gesture. Instead of requiring separate actions to select a symbol and then adjust its value, the user performs one continuous drag operation on the symbol, where the drag distance directly determines the setting value change. This consolidation significantly reduces the time and steps required for setting changes
Solution Approach 2:
The drag operation provides continuous control throughout the gesture. As the user drags the symbol across the display, the setting value changes continuously rather than in discrete steps, allowing for smooth and efficient adjustment. The useful action of changing the setting is maintained throughout the entire drag motion, maximizing operational efficiency
3Loss of information
If detailed information about setting values is always displayed, then user awareness is improved, but the interface becomes cluttered and less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The interface applies different visual qualities to different regions and states. When a symbol is not touched, it displays in a normal state. When touched and dragged, the specific symbol receives enhanced visual attention through highlighting, and value range indications are displayed locally near the symbol or along the drag path, providing information exactly where needed without cluttering the entire interface
Solution Approach 2:
Information display is dynamic and context-dependent. The interface shows detailed value range indications only during the active drag operation when the user needs feedback. After the drag operation completes and the symbol is released, the detailed indications are removed, returning to a cleaner overview display. This dynamic adjustment of information density maintains clarity while providing necessary details
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface includes a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit for controlling the display. A method for controlling a household appliance using the graphical user interface includes the steps of: displaying a first graphical representation on the display, the first graphical representation including symbols, each symbol being associated with an appliance subunit of the household appliance; when a symbol is touched by a touching means, transmitting control signals from the control unit to the display to change the first graphical representation into a second graphical representation; displaying information regarding a change of a setting value of the appliance entity associated with the touched symbol when the touching means is dragged from a first position to a second position at the display; and changing the graphical representation at the display from the second graphical representation to a third graphical representation when lifting the touching means from the display.