Context-Aware Appliance Interface for Faster Menu Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked home appliance systems require users to navigate complex menu structures to access relevant information and functions, making it difficult to recognize connections between different areas and aspects, and limiting the accessibility of quick selection options due to space and clarity constraints.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a hierarchical menu structure with context-dependent interaction elements, such as 'toasts,' to allow users to efficiently access relevant pages without knowing the menu structure, by determining the context of the current page and providing links to relevant pages based on keywords or predefined rules, and using color coding to facilitate orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a hierarchical menu structure is used to organize appliance information and functions, then information can be systematically categorized by subject areas, but users must navigate through multiple higher-level menus and submenus to reach target functions, increasing interaction complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines context based on the currently displayed page and proactively generates relevant interaction elements before the user needs them. By analyzing the context (page heading, error messages, status reports, control elements, background images) and using keyword extraction with inverse search indexes, the system prepares and displays relevant shortcuts and information in advance, eliminating the need for users to navigate through multiple menu levels to find related functions.
2Ease of operation
If shortcuts are provided for quick selection of functions, then access to selected functions is improved, but space and clarity constraints on a single page limit the number of functions that can be made accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional display constraint to a multi-dimensional information architecture by organizing interaction elements across multiple hierarchical levels. Context-relevant shortcuts and information are displayed in a first area (primary display region), while additional related content is made accessible in a second area (secondary display region or overlay), effectively adding a spatial dimension that allows unlimited shortcuts without cluttering the main view.
3Productivity
If context-dependent interaction elements are generated and displayed in a first area, then direct access to relevant pages is enabled, but additional relevant information requiring a second area may still be needed
Solution Approach 1:
The information display is segmented into multiple functional areas: a first area for context-dependent interaction elements that provide immediate access to relevant pages, and a second area for additional comprehensive information. This segmentation allows the system to prioritize quick access functionality while preserving complete information availability, as users can access detailed content in the second area when needed without compromising the speed of initial access provided by the first area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device by means of which networked domestic appliances and corresponding functions and services are operated and can be monitored. The invention proposes a method (400) for operating a domestic appliance (103) using an electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) is connected to the domestic appliance (103) via a network (102). The method (400) has the steps of providing (401) an operating program (200) for the domestic appliance (103), comprising a plurality of pages (211, 233). The plurality of pages (211, 233) is arranged in a hierarchical manner in a menu structure. The method (400) additionally has the steps of outputting (402) a first page (233) of the plurality of pages (211, 233) by means of an output means (104) of the electronic device (101) and ascertaining (403) a context on the basis of the output first page (233). The method (400) further has the steps of determining (404) a second page (211) of the plurality of pages (211, 233) on the basis of the ascertained context and ascertaining (405) an interaction element (321), said interaction element having a link to the second page (211). The method (400) further has a step of outputting (406) the interaction element (321) in connection with the output first page (233) by means of the output means (104).