Electronic Device Alarm Time Display Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack an effective method to indicate that an alarm clock function is in an ON condition, making it difficult for users to easily identify and manage alarm settings, especially in modes like BEDTIME where alerts are suspended.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device displays the alarm time using a visual object distinct from the current time on the display, providing a clear indication of the alarm clock function's status and scheduled alarm time, which can be easily recognizable even in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the alarm clock function is in ON condition without distinct visual indication, then the display remains simple and uncluttered, but users cannot easily identify the alarm status and scheduled time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into distinct visual components: a first visual object for current time and a second visual object for alarm time. This segmentation allows independent visualization of different time information, enabling users to clearly identify alarm status without conflating it with current time display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the second visual object (alarm time) distinct from the first visual object (current time) in terms of visual characteristics. This differentiation ensures that alarm information stands out locally on the display, providing clear status indication without requiring the entire display to be complex.
2Ease of operation
If alerts are suspended in BEDTIME mode, then users experience minimal distractions, but they also cannot see or hear alarm status notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary (the second visual object displaying alarm time) that communicates alarm status without requiring auditory alerts. This visual mediator allows users to check alarm status on the display while in BEDTIME mode with alerts suspended, maintaining both user comfort and alarm reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system provides self-service by continuously showing alarm status through the second visual object, allowing users to independently verify alarm settings without needing active alerts or additional notifications. The system serves itself by making status information always visible.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the alarm time is displayed using the same visual object as current time, then the display is simpler, but users cannot easily distinguish between current time and alarm time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time display function into two separate visual objects: one for current time and one for alarm time. This segmentation eliminates ambiguity by providing dedicated visual representation for each time type, making it easy for users to distinguish between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the second visual object (alarm time) to be visually distinct from the first visual object (current time). This asymmetric design creates clear visual hierarchy and differentiation, allowing users to immediately identify which is alarm time versus current time without confusion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature having an alarm clock function that advantageously provides an indication to a user that the alarm is set, i.e., is in an ON condition, by outputting the alarm time itself.