Icon Size and Luminance Differentiation for UI Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
As personal computers become increasingly multifunctional with various A/V capabilities, their user interfaces become complicated, making it difficult for users to easily select desired functions.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that displays an operation screen with icons arrayed by category, where pre-selected icons are enlarged and distinguished from others, allowing users to easily select functions by changing icon size and luminance, indicating active and inactive states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of functions is increased to provide multifunctionality, then the versatility of the personal computer is improved, but the screen configuration becomes complicated and the number of categories increases, making it harder for users to select desired functions
Solution Approach 1:
The operation screen is segmented into multiple categories, with each category containing icons representing specific functions. This segmentation allows users to navigate through organized groups rather than facing a cluttered single-screen layout, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining access to all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical navigation structure that adds a dimensional layer to the interface. Users can switch between different categories (first dimension) and navigate through icons within categories (second dimension), transforming a flat, complex screen into a multi-level organized structure that reduces cognitive load.
2Ease of operation
If icons are displayed in a standard size to maintain simple screen configuration, then the ease of operation is preserved, but the user cannot easily distinguish the pre-selected icon from other icons, reducing selection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-selected icon is displayed with different visual properties (enlarged size and enhanced luminance) compared to other icons. This local differentiation provides clear visual feedback about the selected icon without requiring complex navigation, maintaining ease of operation while preventing selection errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs luminance changes to indicate the pre-selected icon. By increasing the luminance of the selected icon relative to other icons, the system provides clear visual distinction without requiring additional symbols or complex interface elements, maintaining simplicity while improving selectability.
Data Source
AI summary
Any icon on a launcher screen 22 is changed from a basic-size (first-size) icon Is to a second-size icon Im one size larger than the basic-size icon Is and further a third-size icon IL further one size larger than the second-size icon Im in accordance with operation using an operation unit. The icons Is, Im and IL having different sizes are displayed with a difference in luminance from one to another. The basic-size icon Is is displayed with the darkest luminance, and the third-size icon IL is displayed with the brightest luminance. The third-size icon IL indicates the icon is an active icon. For example, when the icon is selected by operation using an “Enter” key or the like on the keyboard unit 112, execution of a function allocated to the icon is started.