Dynamic Iconic Setting Indicator for Media Players
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Solution Overview
Problem
User interfaces for televisions and other devices often require users to navigate through hierarchical menu structures to access setting information, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially in terms of screen space usage and user input requirements.
Innovation Solution
An automated dynamic iconic setting indicator and a minimal and preferential option user interface that provides real-time setting status information using icons, reduces screen area requirements, and allows access to options without needing to navigate through multiple levels of menus, using a non-hierarchical structure accessible with standard remote control keys or touchscreen inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If hierarchical menu structures are used to organize user interface options, then information organization and completeness are improved, but user navigation complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple layers: a primary layer displaying current setting values with icons, and secondary hierarchical menus that appear only when users navigate to them. This segmentation allows immediate access to setting information without requiring traversal through multiple menu levels, thus reducing navigation time while preserving information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Icons serve as intermediaries between the user and the detailed setting information. Instead of requiring users to navigate through text-based hierarchical menus, icons provide a visual shorthand that represents complex settings, allowing users to quickly identify and access setting information without dealing with the full hierarchical structure.
2Loss of information
If hierarchical menu structures are used to display all setting options, then complete information presentation is improved, but screen space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface extracts only the essential setting information (current values and icons) to the primary display layer, removing the need to display the entire hierarchical menu structure simultaneously. Detailed options are extracted into separate, on-demand menus that appear only when users navigate to specific settings, thus reducing screen clutter while preserving information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a two-dimensional hierarchical menu layout to a multi-dimensional structure where the primary layer displays icons and values, and additional dimensions (pop-up menus, sub-menus) are accessed only when needed. This dimensional organization allows complete information to be available without requiring all of it to occupy screen space simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple menu levels are required to access settings, then detailed option organization is improved, but user input complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The icon-based primary interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays current setting values, provides visual navigation cues, and acts as a gateway to detailed menus. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate display screens and navigation steps, allowing users to access comprehensive settings coverage with fewer input actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface performs preliminary organization of all setting options into a structured icon-based system before user interaction. This preliminary structuring allows the system to present only relevant information upfront and to provide contextual menus based on user selections, reducing the number of navigation steps required while maintaining comprehensive option coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A media type currently associated with a multiple media player device is determined by the multiple media player device. A current setting status associated with each of a set of adjustable options associated with the determined media type is determined. A set of option icons that each represents one of the set of adjustable options is identified. Each identified option icon is paired with the associated current setting status of each adjustable option. A menuing input is detected. An overlay user interface menu, including only one option icon and the associated current setting status pair, is displayed over full-screen content on a display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.