Camera User Interface Menu Segmentation for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find configuring camera modes and settings on mobile devices confusing due to the increasing number of options, leading to a complex user interface.
Innovation Solution
A method and mobile device implementation that displays a single menu icon, which upon activation, shows a camera mode menu with mode icons, and allows for the display of a sub-menu with setting icons specific to the active camera mode, while hiding the menu icon and showing a capturing icon continuously, providing a more organized and user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera modes and settings are provided to enhance camera application functionality, then camera capabilities and versatility are improved, but user interface complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera interface into distinct functional areas: a simplified main viewfinder area and a collapsible settings panel. Settings are divided into mode-specific configurations, allowing users to access comprehensive options when needed while maintaining a clean interface during normal operation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by hiding complexity without removing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts settings and mode options from the main viewfinder display and places them in a separate, collapsible settings panel. This extraction removes visual clutter from the primary shooting interface while preserving full access to camera capabilities through the separated settings area, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera modes and settings are provided to enhance camera application functionality, then camera capabilities and versatility are improved, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where mode-specific settings are contained within their respective mode sections, which are in turn contained within the overall settings panel. This nesting organizes complex camera capabilities into hierarchical groups, reducing perceived interface complexity while maintaining full functionality. Users can navigate through nested levels without being overwhelmed by all options simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The settings panel is designed to be dynamically collapsible and expandable. When not in use, the panel collapses to minimize interface complexity. When users need to configure camera capabilities, the panel expands to reveal full options. This dynamic behavior allows the interface complexity to adapt to user needs, resolving the contradiction between providing comprehensive capabilities and maintaining simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If a single menu icon is used to access all camera modes and settings, then ease of operation is improved, but clarity in displaying active settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary settings panel that acts as a mediator between the single menu icon and the detailed camera options. When the menu icon is activated, the settings panel expands to clearly display which mode is active and what settings are currently applied. This intermediary structure preserves the simplicity of a single access point while preventing loss of information about active settings through clear visual indication in the expanded panel.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes displaying a single menu icon during operation of a camera application; detecting activation of the single menu icon; in response to detecting activation of the single menu icon, displaying a camera mode menu with a plurality of mode icons thereon, wherein the mode icons respectively correspond to different camera modes; and under a case that a first camera mode of the camera modes is active, in response to detecting activation of the single menu icon, displaying a first sub-menu of the first camera mode of the camera modes with one or more first setting icons for configuring the first camera mode.