Dynamic UI Control Visibility for Edit Mode Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses, when multiple edit modes are present, users face difficulties in finding and executing controls specific to different modes, as controls operable in one mode are often hidden or disabled in other modes, leading to confusion and inefficiency during customization.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a management unit to store and manage control information for each edit mode, an acquisition unit to determine the selected edit mode, and an editing unit to display a list of executable controls, allowing users to customize and edit user interfaces effectively by listing only mode-specific and shared commands relevant to the selected mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If controls for commands operable in different modes are arranged on the same tab, then the UI is compact and easy to navigate, but users cannot execute mode-specific controls when in an incompatible mode, requiring active mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control visibility by automatically displaying or hiding controls based on the current edit mode. When a user switches between edit modes (e.g., edit mode, print preview mode), the system dynamically adjusts which controls are visible on the tab, ensuring that only executable controls are displayed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining UI compactness while ensuring adaptability - controls are always visible and accessible when appropriate, without requiring active mode switching by the user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all controls are always displayed on the UI, then users have access to all functions, but it takes time for users to find relevant controls among many options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the relevant controls for the current edit mode on the active tab, while keeping other controls hidden or accessible through mode switching. This extraction principle reduces the number of visible controls from all possible controls to only those needed in the current context, significantly reducing the time users need to search for relevant controls while maintaining access to all functions through appropriate mode selection.
3Ease of operation
If mode-specific controls are hidden when not in the appropriate mode, then the UI is cleaner and less confusing, but users cannot access controls for functions they need in other modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the visibility of mode-specific controls based on the current edit mode. When the user is in a specific edit mode, controls for that mode are displayed prominently on the tab, providing UI clarity. When the user switches to a different edit mode, the controls automatically update to show the appropriate controls for the new mode, maintaining both clarity and full functionality. This dynamic behavior ensures that the UI remains clean and uncluttered while preserving access to all necessary controls.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus that executes an application including a plurality of user interfaces displaying information corresponding to a plurality of edit modes includes storing information about controls arranged in each of the plurality of user interfaces displayed on a display, managing the information about controls arranged in each of the plurality of user interfaces, acquiring an edit mode selected when customization of the plurality of user interfaces is instructed, acquiring control information about a control executable in the acquired edit mode, displaying, on a screen for customizing the plurality of user interfaces, a list of the acquired control information, and receiving an instruction to edit the plurality of user interfaces.