Television User Interface With Constrained Touchpad Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television user interfaces, particularly electronic programme guides (EPGs), are limited by screen resolution and require excessive navigation due to increased channel numbers and information complexity, with analog direction controls lacking intuitive control and integration.
Innovation Solution
A user interface for television displays utilizing a remote control with a touch pad that allows movement control through gestures, constrained movements, and tactile switches to define virtual buttons, enabling intuitive navigation and control of EPGs with features like constrained gestures, tactile feedback, and animated menu hiding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If EPG includes additional information and functionality, then information completeness is improved, but navigation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG interface is segmented into multiple pages or screens, each displaying different aspects of programme information. Users can navigate between segments to access comprehensive information without overwhelming a single view, thus maintaining information completeness while managing navigation complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces zooming and panning capabilities that add spatial dimensions to navigation. Instead of linear scrolling, users can zoom into specific programme details or pan across different time periods, transforming one-dimensional scrolling into two-dimensional exploration. This reduces navigation complexity by providing multiple access paths to information.
2Measurement precision
If remote control uses analog direction controls, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an on-screen pointer or highlight indicator as an intermediary between the analog control and the EPG content. The pointer visually represents the current selection position, making the abstract analog control tangible and easier to understand. This mediator bridges the gap between precise analog input and discrete programme selection, improving ease of operation while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous visual feedback by displaying the pointer position and highlighting corresponding programme information in real-time. This feedback loop allows users to see the immediate effect of their analog control movements, adjusting their input accordingly to achieve precise selection. The feedback mechanism transforms the trial-and-error nature of analog control into a guided process, enhancing ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If EPG displays more channels and programmes, then information completeness is improved, but display readability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG display dynamically adjusts its layout and content based on user interactions. When users zoom or pan, the display reconfigures to show relevant information at appropriate detail levels. This dynamic adaptation allows comprehensive programme information to be displayed without permanently compromising readability, as the interface optimizes text size, spacing, and density according to the current view and user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the EPG display have different levels of detail and information density. The patent applies local quality by showing comprehensive programme information in focused areas (such as selected programmes or current time slots) while using more condensed formats in other regions. This selective detail approach maintains overall information completeness while ensuring that critical areas remain readable and not overwhelmed by excessive information.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for a television display includes a remote control with a touch pad. The user controls movement of an indicator by means of gestures and/or other actions performed on the touch pad. The movement of the indicator may be constrained in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. Actions by the user on the touch pad below a predetermined magnitude may be prevented from causing movement of the indicator.