Display Apparatus Tooltip Overlap Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses struggle to maintain the visibility of objects when additional displays, such as tooltips, overlap important regions or objects on the screen, leading to obscured information and functions.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with controllers that adjust the display mode of additional displays when they overlap restricted regions, including moving the tooltip or changing the number of lines in the display character string, to prevent overlap with protected objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the additional display is shown at the default position, then the information is provided to the user, but the object visibility is obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation provisionVSAvoidobject visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the additional display from a two-dimensional overlay on the screen to a three-dimensional pop-out structure that extends perpendicular to the screen surface. This allows the additional display to provide information without obscuring the underlying object, as it occupies a different spatial dimension. The pop-out display can be positioned above or below the screen plane, ensuring both information delivery and object visibility are maintained simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the additional display overlaps the restricted region, then the display flexibility is maintained, but the object visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay flexibilityVSAvoidobject visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the additional display position and orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The display can dynamically pop out in various directions (up, down, left, right) and at different angles based on the user's needs and screen space availability. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different situations while maintaining object visibility, resolving the contradiction between display flexibility and object visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the tooltip is moved away from the object, then the object visibility is maintained, but the association between tooltip and object is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject visibilityVSAvoidassociation clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the pop-out structure as an intermediary element that maintains the association between the object and the additional display. The pop-out display is positioned in proximity to the object but extends in a different dimension, serving as a mediator that connects the object to its information without blocking the object. This intermediary positioning ensures both object visibility and clear association are maintained simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250165202A1Display apparatus, image processing apparatus, and display control method of additional display
Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SHARP KK
  • US20250165202A1 patent drawing
  • US20250165202A1 patent drawing
  • US20250165202A1 patent drawing

AI summary

This display apparatus includes: a display that displays an operation screen containing one or more objects; and one or more controllers that, based on a user operation made with respect to any of the one or more objects, control a display of an additional display corresponding to the at least one of the one or more object. The one or more controllers change a display mode of the additional display when the display of the additional display overlaps a restricted region that restricts the display of the additional display.