Circular Menu Layout for Writing Tool Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic interactive tablets lack an efficient and user-friendly method for displaying and managing writing tool configurations and attributes, which hinders user experience and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a menu display method that includes a writing configuration menu with a regular shape featuring a middle region and annular regions, where first-level menu options are displayed in block-shaped sub-regions and secondary-level menu options are displayed in the middle region, allowing for intuitive navigation and attribute control of writing tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional linear menu layout is used for writing tool configurations, then the menu structure is simple to implement, but the user efficiency and accessibility are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular menu layout instead of a traditional linear arrangement. The first-level menu options are positioned along the circumference of a circle, with the second-level options arranged radially inward. This curved/circular structure improves user efficiency by providing equal access to all menu options regardless of position, eliminating the need to scroll through linear lists, and enabling intuitive radial navigation patterns that match natural user interaction with rotary controls and circular gestures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear menu structure to a two-dimensional circular layout. The first-level options are distributed along the circular perimeter while the second-level options extend radially inward toward the center, creating a radial hierarchy. This dimensional change allows multiple menu options to be simultaneously visible and accessible without requiring sequential scrolling, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple writing tool attributes are displayed simultaneously, then user accessibility to all options is improved, but the interface becomes cluttered and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the menu into two distinct hierarchical levels: first-level menu options positioned along the circular perimeter and second-level options arranged radially inward. This segmentation allows the interface to display multiple writing tool attributes simultaneously in an organized manner, with each level serving a specific function. Users can easily distinguish between primary tool selections and secondary attribute modifications, improving accessibility without creating visual clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested menu structure where the second-level options are positioned within the radial space created by the first-level circular arrangement. The second-level menu options are nested inward from the perimeter toward the center, creating a concentric hierarchy. This nesting approach allows multiple attributes to be displayed simultaneously while maintaining a clean, organized interface structure that is easier to navigate than flat, cluttered layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic interactive tablet, a menu display method, and a writing tool attribute control method. When writing configuration needs to be performed when a user is using the electronic interactive tablet for writing, a writing configuration menu having multi-level menu options may be displayed, the writing configuration menu including multiple first-level menu options (M1-1 to M1-6) which are in one-to-one correspondence with one or more writing tools; the writing configuration menu has a regular shape, and the regular shape comprises a middle area and at least one annular area that surrounds the middle area; the at least one annular area is divided into multiple block-like sub-areas, the multiple block-like sub-areas display in one-to-one correspondence the multiple first-level menu options (M1-1 to M1-6); and the middle area is configured to display a secondary-level menu option (M2) of the first-level menu options.