Nested Progress Indicator for Space-Efficient Task Visualization

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing technologies display overall and individual progress statuses separately on a screen, leading to inefficient use of space and complexity in visual representation.

Innovation Solution

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an information processing program that displays overall and individual progress statuses within a single progress indicator, using a gauge-type display that lengthens with progress, and differentiates processed and unprocessed steps through shape, size, and color transformations, allowing for intuitive and space-saving visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If overall progress status and individual progress status are displayed in separate areas within a screen, then both progress information can be presented to users, but display space is wasted and screen complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress information completenessVSAvoiddisplay space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the overall progress status display and individual progress status display into a single integrated progress indicator. The overall progress indicator and individual progress indicators are combined in one display area, eliminating the need for separate display regions while presenting both types of progress information simultaneously to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where individual progress indicators are placed within the overall progress indicator display area. The individual progress indicators are nested inside the broader overall progress context, allowing multiple levels of progress information to be displayed hierarchically within a compact space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of information

If overall progress status and individual progress status are displayed in separate areas within a screen, then both progress information can be presented to users, but display interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress information completenessVSAvoiddisplay interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the overall progress status display and individual progress status display into a single integrated progress indicator. The overall progress indicator and individual progress indicators are combined in one display area, eliminating the need for separate display regions while presenting both types of progress information simultaneously to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If gauge type progress display is used that lengthens depending on progress, then progress status becomes intuitive and easily understandable, but display area requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogress understanding easeVSAvoiddisplay space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the traditional horizontal gauge-type progress display into a vertical arrangement. Instead of progress indicators lengthening horizontally which consumes wide display space, the progress indicators extend vertically, maintaining the intuitive gauge visualization while significantly reducing the horizontal display area required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10016681B2Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

An example progress indicator indicating the progress of a task including a series of multiple steps is to be displayed. The progress indicator includes an overall progress display area for indicating the progress of a task overall, and an individual progress display area for indicating the progress of each individual step included in the task. The individual progress display area is displayed inside the overall progress display area.