Media Controller Interface Layout for Limited Screen Displays

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media playback systems face challenges in providing a user-friendly interface for controlling and navigating media playback across multiple zones on devices with limited screen size, such as smartphones, where space constraints hinder the effective display of all control regions.

Innovation Solution

A controller interface layout is designed with constantly displayed tabs representing different regions, allowing only one information window to be displayed at a time, which can be interactively shifted to reveal content associated with other tabs, enabling users to navigate and manage playback zones and media content efficiently on smaller displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all control regions are displayed simultaneously on the interface, then users can access all playback zones and media content sources, but the interface becomes too complex and cannot be effectively displayed on devices with limited screen size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface comprehensivenessVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple tabs, each representing a different control region (playback zones, media content sources, etc.). This segmentation allows the comprehensive interface to be divided into manageable sections that can be displayed separately, reducing the complexity perceived by users at any given moment while maintaining access to all functionality through tab navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from a two-dimensional simultaneous display to a time-dimensional sequential display through tab switching. Instead of showing all control regions at once on the screen, the system uses the time dimension to allow users to navigate between different tabs, each displaying a specific control region. This dimensional change enables comprehensive functionality to be accessed on devices with limited screen space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all control regions are displayed simultaneously on the interface, then users can access all playback zones and media content sources, but the screen space required increases beyond what smaller displays can provide

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface comprehensivenessVSAvoidscreen space required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple tabs, each representing a different control region (playback zones, media content sources, etc.). This segmentation allows the comprehensive interface to be divided into manageable sections that can be displayed separately, reducing the complexity perceived by users at any given moment while maintaining access to all functionality through tab navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from a two-dimensional simultaneous display to a time-dimensional sequential display through tab switching. Instead of showing all control regions at once on the screen, the system uses the time dimension to allow users to navigate between different tabs, each displaying a specific control region. This dimensional change enables comprehensive functionality to be accessed on devices with limited screen space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If only one information window is displayed at a time, then screen space is optimized for smaller displays, but users cannot view multiple control regions simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen space utilizationVSAvoidnavigation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface implements dynamic tab switching that allows users to easily navigate between different control regions. The tabs are designed to be interactively switchable, enabling users to quickly move between playback zones, media content sources, and other control regions. This dynamic navigation maintains optimal screen space utilization while ensuring that accessing multiple control regions requires minimal effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10877721B2Media system controller interface

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 SONOS INC

AI summary

Techniques described herein relate to media playback controller interfaces, interface layouts, and interactions for facilitating navigation and control. An example implementation may includes causing a touch-screen graphical display to display a control interface comprising (i) a first tab and a second tab separated by a first distance, (ii) a first information window at a position between the first tab and the second tab, the displayed first information window not overlapping the first tab and the second tab, and (iii) content associated with the first tab in the first information window. The implementation further involves receiving, via the touch-screen graphical display, data representing a touch input on the touch-screen graphical display, and in response to the touch input, modifying the displayed control interface to (a) display the first tab and the second tab separated by a second distance shorter than the first distance (b) no longer display the first information window.