Dynamic Schedule Refresh for Elapsed Program Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices and methods for displaying schedule items, such as program listings, fail to maintain an up-to-date and user-friendly interface when the user does not interact with the screen for an extended period, leading to either excessive or insufficient refresh rates, which can confuse the user by allowing the selection of elapsed items.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device and method dynamically adjust the auto-refresh period based on the end times of schedule items, ensuring that only items with start times on or after the current time are displayed, and triggering a refresh only when a highlighted item has elapsed, preventing the selection of expired items and maintaining a consistent and easy-to-understand schedule.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the program listings are refreshed frequently (e.g., every 30 minutes or less), then the schedule remains up-to-date, but the user's understanding of the schedule deteriorates due to excessive updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveup-to-date schedule informationVSAvoiduser understanding of schedule

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The refresh rate is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the refresh interval based on the current time relative to program end times. When a program is about to end or has ended, the system refreshes immediately; otherwise, it uses a longer interval (e.g., 30 minutes), optimizing both timeliness and user comprehension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The time parameter for refresh interval is changed based on program status. The system monitors program end times and adjusts the refresh frequency accordingly - using short intervals when programs are ending soon and longer intervals when programs have sufficient time remaining, thus balancing information freshness with user understanding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the program listings are refreshed infrequently (e.g., every 30 minutes or more), then the user's understanding of the schedule is maintained, but the schedule becomes outdated and may include elapsed program items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser understanding of scheduleVSAvoidup-to-date schedule information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary checks before refreshing the program listings. It determines whether a refresh is actually needed by checking if any programs have ended since the last update, avoiding unnecessary refreshes that would disrupt user understanding while ensuring timely updates when programs expire.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring program end times and user interactions. When a program ends or the user highlights a program, the system receives feedback and triggers an appropriate refresh, ensuring the schedule remains accurate without excessive updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the system exits the program listings screen after a few minutes of user inactivity, then energy is saved, but the user cannot access updated schedule information when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption during inactivityVSAvoidaccess to schedule information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of exiting after inactivity, the system implements periodic refreshes based on program schedules. It refreshes program listings at intervals aligned with program end times, ensuring energy efficiency during long periods of inactivity while maintaining the ability to provide updated information when programs are about to end or have ended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system allows selection of schedule items with end times in the past, then user freedom is maximized, but the user may accidentally select elapsed items leading to confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser selection freedomVSAvoidprevention of accidental selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by preventing the selection of elapsed programs before the user can make a mistake. It checks program end times against the current time and either prevents selection of elapsed items or triggers an immediate refresh to remove them from the selectable list, thus avoiding user confusion while preserving selection freedom for valid programs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2198605B1Method and device for selecting a set of schedule items

Publication Date: 2012.05.23 TP VISION HLDG BV

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AI summary

The method of selecting a set of schedule items, e.g. program listings, of the invention comprises the steps of selecting a first set of schedule items and upon detecting that at least one of one or more of the first set of schedule items has an end time which precedes a current time, selecting a second set of schedule items, the second set of schedule items not including said at least one schedule item and/or a schedule item preceding said at least one schedule item. The electronic device of the invention comprises electronic circuitry configured to perform the method of the invention. The computer program product of the invention comprises software for enabling a programmable device to perform the method of the invention.