Arc Menu Navigation Interface for Remote Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
User interfaces for media client devices, such as Smart TVs and set-top boxes, are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring users to navigate through numerous options using complex remote controllers, leading to frustration and disorientation due to cluttered and poorly designed menus.
Innovation Solution
A radial graphical user interface (UI) with an arc menu design that uses a remote controller with orthogonally arranged push detection elements and a navigation key to facilitate seamless navigation and selection, preventing spurious inputs and improving usability by clearly delineating the selection path and making efficient use of display space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a remote controller with multiple buttons (more than 20 buttons) is used to access numerous media options, then the device can provide access to hundreds of channels and functions, but the user interface becomes complicated and difficult to navigate, requiring users to press buttons repeatedly (at least 10 times) and become familiar with multiple button functions
Solution Approach 1:
The circular navigation key is segmented into multiple distinct pressing regions (first pressing region, second pressing region, third pressing region, fourth pressing region) arranged in a circular pattern. Each region corresponds to a different directional control function, allowing users to navigate through menu options by pressing different segments of the single circular key rather than using multiple separate buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The single circular navigation key performs multiple navigation functions that would traditionally require separate buttons. By pressing different regions of the circular key in different directions, users can control cursor movement in multiple directions and access various menu options, making one component serve the function of multiple buttons.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional linear menu interfaces are used to display multiple options, then all options can be presented in a structured hierarchy, but the display space is poorly utilized and the menu appears cluttered and visually uninteresting
Solution Approach 1:
The menu interface uses a circular arrangement of pressing regions on the navigation key and corresponds this with a circular or radial menu layout on the display. This curved/circular organization allows menu options to be arranged in a radial pattern around a center point, efficiently utilizing display space while maintaining clear visual separation between options and creating an aesthetically pleasing interface.
3Device complexity
If diagonal pressing regions are not defined in the circular navigation key, then the structure remains simple with four cardinal directions, but spurious inputs may occur when users press between the defined directional regions
Solution Approach 1:
The circular navigation key has different pressing regions with different functions. The first, second, third, and fourth pressing regions are positioned at specific locations around the circle, with each region optimized for its directional function. This local differentiation ensures that presses in specific areas produce specific directional outputs, preventing spurious inputs while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for interacting with a graphical user interface, including: a printed circuit board, a plurality of push detection elements disposed on or over the top surface of the printed circuit board, wherein four push detection elements are arranged orthogonally from each other in the cardinal directions, a flexible pad layer disposed on or over the plurality of push detection elements, a navigation key disposed over and covering the four push detection elements, wherein the bottom surface of the navigation key has an annular-shaped cavity, four plungers, each one of the four plungers disposed above a respective one of the four push detection elements and configured to actuate a respective push detection element when a corresponding plunger is actuated, and at least one post disposed in an angular region between two plungers of adjacent cardinal directions.