Display Scale Factor Control for Multi-Resolution GUI Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) designed for low resolution displays appear too small on high resolution displays due to differences in pixel density, leading to uncomfortable user interaction.
Innovation Solution
Setting a scale factor for each window buffer equal to the extreme scale factor among multiple displays, with data transferred from window buffers to frame buffers, ensuring images are displayed with substantially the same physical size across displays with different resolutions and pixel densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GUI components are designed for low resolution displays, then they display correctly on low resolution displays, but they appear too small to be comfortable for users on high resolution displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the scale factor based on the display device's pixel density. When a high resolution display is detected, the system increases the scale factor to enlarge GUI components, making them comfortable for user interaction. This resolves the contradiction by changing the display parameter (scale factor) rather than the GUI design itself, maintaining compatibility across different resolutions while ensuring comfort on high resolution displays.
2Ease of operation
If the scale factor is increased to make GUI components larger on high resolution displays, then user comfort improves, but the image size may exceed the display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different scale factors for different display devices based on their individual characteristics. Each display device receives a customized scale factor that is appropriate for its resolution and size, rather than applying a uniform scale factor to all displays. This allows GUI components to be comfortably sized on each display without exceeding the display area, as the scale factor is locally optimized for each device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different scale factors are used for different display devices, then each display can show optimally sized images, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by automatically detecting the pixel density of each display device and computing the appropriate scale factor without requiring manual configuration. The system autonomously manages the different scale factors for multiple display devices, eliminating the need for user intervention or complex manual setup. This reduces the perceived complexity for users while still achieving optimal display adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for per display scale factors within a multiple display system are described.In one aspect of the invention, a machine implemented method includes setting a scale factor for each window buffer equal to an extreme scale factor among a plurality of displays. The method further includes transferring data from each window buffer into a corresponding frame buffer for one of the plurality of displays by setting a scale factor of each frame buffer equal to the scale factor of the corresponding display.In one example according to this aspect, the method further includes displaying on a high resolution display and a low resolution display an image, stored in the corresponding frame buffers, with substantially the same physical size even though the displays have different scale factors and pixel densities. Also, the extreme scale factor is one of the largest scale factor or the smallest scale factor.