Annular Segmented Interface for Wearable Input Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices are limited in receiving and displaying detailed user input due to their small user interfaces, making tasks like financial transactions, mathematical calculations, and setting timers impractical.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive wearable device displays an annulus with a base and highlighted segment, allowing users to adjust values through tap and drag operations, enabling precise input adjustments by modifying the range and proportions of the annulus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wearable devices use traditional touch screen selection or dial rotation for user input, then the device structure remains simple, but the precision and efficiency of numerical input is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The annulus is segmented into multiple discrete segments that can be individually selected. Each segment represents a discrete value or range, allowing users to input precise numerical data by selecting specific segments rather than relying on imprecise dial rotation or small touch screen selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from one-dimensional dial rotation to a two-dimensional annular display with multiple selectable segments. This dimensional change allows for more comprehensive value representation and selection, enabling precise numerical input within a compact circular footprint suitable for wearable displays.
2Measurement precision
If wearable devices display detailed input interfaces, then input precision improves, but the limited screen space is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The annulus is divided into multiple segments that efficiently utilize the limited display area. Each segment represents a discrete value or range, allowing comprehensive numerical input options to be packed into a compact circular interface that fits within wearable device screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface uses a two-dimensional annular layout with radial segmentation, maximizing the use of available display space. This radial arrangement allows multiple value options to be displayed simultaneously in a compact format, enabling detailed input capabilities without exceeding screen boundaries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wearable devices accept complex user input for tasks like financial transactions, then functional capability increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The annulus provides discrete, clearly defined segments that are easy to select and distinguish. This segmentation simplifies the selection process for complex input tasks by presenting organized, separate options rather than requiring precise positioning or interpretation of continuous scales, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling versatile functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial annular layout organizes multiple input options in a visually intuitive manner that is easy to navigate. The circular arrangement with distinct segments provides a natural scanning pattern and clear visual feedback, making complex input tasks more manageable while maintaining operational simplicity suitable for wearable devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes: displaying, on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, an indicated value and an annulus having a base segment and a highlighted segment, wherein points along a circumference of the annulus are associated with values between a base amount and a maximum amount and wherein a size of the highlighted segment is based on the indicated value; receiving, via the touch-sensitive display, a first value-adjusting input comprising a tap operation; and in response to receiving the first value-adjusting input, adjusting at least one of the base amount or the maximum amount for causing a range of the annulus to be changed, wherein a proportion of the annulus represented by the highlighted segment corresponds to a proportion of the range represented by the indicated value.