Game UI Heat Map Overlay Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems face challenges in presenting gaming applications on diverse devices with varying capabilities and display configurations, leading to obtrusive user interface elements that disrupt the gaming experience.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented to determine the least obtrusive area on a display for user interface element overlays by generating a heat map based on user interactions, identifying areas of low importance, and hiding or repositioning UI elements to optimize screen space and user experience across different environments and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If UI elements are added to provide useful information, then information completeness is improved, but visual clutter and obtrusiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidvisual clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dynamically adjusting the visibility and importance weight of different UI elements based on their location and user interaction patterns. The heat map assigns different importance values to different regions of the display, allowing the system to selectively hide or show UI elements in specific areas while maintaining information completeness in important regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts UI element visibility based on real-time heat map data and user interaction patterns. The importance weights of UI elements are not static but change based on user behavior, allowing the interface to adapt between providing comprehensive information and maintaining visual clarity depending on current user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If UI elements are positioned to maximize information display, then information accessibility is improved, but user experience and game immersion deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiduser experience degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using heat map data derived from user interaction patterns to continuously refine UI element positioning and visibility decisions. The system monitors where users look and interact, then uses this feedback to adjust the importance weights and positioning of UI elements, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both accessibility and user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters such as UI element visibility, importance weights, and positioning based on heat map analysis. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to user behavior patterns, the system optimizes the balance between information accessibility and user experience without requiring manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If UI elements are hidden to reduce visual clutter, then visual clarity is improved, but information availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual clarityVSAvoidinformation availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating heat maps and importance weights for UI elements before making visibility decisions. The system proactively identifies which UI elements are likely to be important based on user interaction patterns and positions them appropriately before the user needs the information, ensuring both visual clarity and information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If UI layout is customized for different devices and environments, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by using a unified heat map-based importance weighting system that works across different devices and environments. Rather than creating separate customization systems for each device type, the system uses the same core methodology (heat map analysis and importance weights) to adapt UI element visibility universally across diverse platforms, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240189715A1Determining user interaction with user interface elements

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods described herein may provide a system that adjusts a user interface (UI) of a game in a non-obtrusive way to a user. The system may determine the least obtrusive area(s) on the screen for a UI element game overlay to be presented, at least in part by determining an importance level for area on the screen containing a UI element. The importance level for an area on the screen may be determined using a generated heat map that indicates the importance values of various areas of the screen. The heat map may be generated with inputs including one or more of user interactions with UI elements, game context, UI element rate of change, user matching, and user preferences. The system may temporarily hide UI elements from display that are determined to be below a threshold importance level.