Dual-Mode GUI Element for Physical Device Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interacting with systems that include physical devices interfaced with computer software is cumbersome due to the inconvenience of accessing remote devices and the confusion caused by using virtual proxies, which often require multiple GUI elements and excessive on-screen real estate.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode graphical user interface element that allows a single object to represent both a virtual and a physical device, switching between graphical copy mode for on-screen interaction and ghost mode for tracking the physical state, with distinct rendering to differentiate modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual proxy is used to test the physical device, then on-screen interaction is enabled, but the state of the virtual proxy no longer reflects the state of the physical device
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical representation dynamically switches between two modes: ghost mode for tracking physical state and copy mode for enabling interaction. This dynamic transformation allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the current operational need, resolving the contradiction between maintaining accurate state representation and enabling on-screen interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the graphical representation by toggling between ghost mode and copy mode. In ghost mode, the representation tracks physical state; in copy mode, it accepts user input. This parameter change allows the same object to serve both functions at different times.
2Loss of information
If two GUI elements are used to represent a physical device, then state representation and interaction are separated, but more on-screen real estate is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of state tracking and interaction into a single graphical representation that can operate in different modes. Instead of requiring two separate GUI elements, one graphical object combines both capabilities by switching between ghost mode (state tracking) and copy mode (interaction), thereby reducing on-screen real estate requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical representation serves multiple functions by being able to operate in both ghost mode and copy mode. A single object can track physical device state, accept user input, and be interconnected with software modules, replacing the need for multiple specialized GUI elements.
3Ease of operation
If two GUI elements are used to represent a physical device, then interaction testing is enabled, but the process becomes time consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The ability to dynamically switch between ghost mode and copy mode within a single graphical representation streamlines the testing process. Users can quickly toggle between modes without performing multiple connection and disconnection gestures, significantly reducing the time required for interaction testing while maintaining the ability to test both physical state and virtual interaction.
4Loss of information
If two GUI elements are used to represent a physical device, then state tracking and interaction are maintained, but the on-screen representation does not look like the actual physical device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual differentiation through rendering styles to indicate the current mode of the graphical representation. In ghost mode, the representation has a distinct visual appearance that indicates it is tracking physical state, while in copy mode, it appears as a functional copy ready for interaction. This visual feedback maintains state tracking information while allowing the representation to look appropriate for its current function.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for interacting with a system that includes physical devices that are interfaced with computer software, a graphical representation of a physical device that can be graphically interconnected with a graphical representation of a software module is generated. The graphical representation of the physical device is capable of being represented as either a graphical copy mode representation or a graphical ghost mode representation. On-screen interaction with functionality of the physical device is enabled when the graphical representation of the physical device is in the graphical copy mode representation. A true physical state of the physical device is tracked when the graphical representation of the physical device is in the graphical ghost mode representation. The tracking of the true physical state of the physical device disables on-screen interaction with functionality of the physical device. A dual-mode graphical user interface element for interfacing with a physical device also is described.