Priority Ordered Screen Transition Control for User Interface Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital apparatuses face complexity in setting screen transition rules, particularly when dealing with multiple screens and input events, leading to increased man-hours and complicated work, especially as the number of screens to be switched and displayed grows.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that groups screens by priority, using a storage unit to store screen information, a determination unit to identify the highest-priority group, and a control unit to display the representative screen of that group, thereby efficiently designating and transitioning screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screen transition rule is set for each screen at the transition source to handle multiple input events and conditions, then the screen transition control becomes precise and reliable, but the setting work becomes complicated and requires large numbers of man-hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen transition control precisionVSAvoidscreen transition rule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the screen transition rule into two independent parts: (1) a common rule part that defines default transition behavior applicable to all screens, and (2) screen-specific override rules that only define exceptions or special cases. This segmentation allows the majority of transitions to be controlled by a single common rule, dramatically reducing complexity while maintaining precision through targeted overrides where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal common rule part that serves all screens in the system, providing a multi-functional foundation for screen transitions. This common rule part handles the majority of transition scenarios across different screens, reducing the need for duplicative screen-specific rules and thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of screens to be switched and displayed is increased to provide more functionality, then the device becomes more versatile and functional, but the setting work for screen transition rules becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidscreen transition rule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal common rule part that can be applied across any number of screens, providing a scalable foundation that maintains constant complexity regardless of the number of screens. This allows the device to increase functionality and screen count without proportionally increasing rule complexity, as the common rule part handles transitions for all screens uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting rules into common and screen-specific parts, the patent enables the system to handle an increasing number of screens efficiently. The common rule part remains constant and applies to all screens, while screen-specific overrides only need to be created for exceptional cases, allowing versatility to scale without linearly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If conventional programming languages are used to install screen transition rules, then precise control over screen transitions can be achieved, but large numbers of man-hours are required for implementation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen transition control precisionVSAvoidman-hours required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses markup language to describe screen transition rules in a structured, declarative format that can be automatically processed and converted into executable control logic. This copying approach allows the rules to be defined once in a human-readable format and then automatically instantiated, reducing manual programming time while maintaining precision through the structured markup format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual programming mechanics with automated rule processing. Instead of requiring developers to manually code transition logic in conventional programming languages, the system uses markup language descriptions that are automatically interpreted and executed, substituting automated processing for manual programming work and thereby reducing man-hours while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9203990B2Priority ordered user interface screens for controlling a device

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store information representing a plurality of screens in each of a plurality of groups to which priorities are previously set, a determination unit configured to determine a group which is assigned the highest priority, and a control unit configured to display on a display unit a representative screen of the group assigned the highest priority.