Rotary Crown Smartwatch Interface for Analog Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smartwatches pose difficulties for users with limited smartphone experience, particularly the elderly, due to their touchscreen interface, which can be complex and require learning new gestures, and the small dial size makes icon selection challenging.
Innovation Solution
A wrist-worn electronic device featuring a rotary crown similar to traditional analog watches, with motion detection means that highlight icons sequentially when turned, allowing selection through rotation, and optionally displaying icons along a spiral or circular trajectory to mimic analog watch operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touchscreen interface is used in smartwatches, then multimedia functions and applications can be implemented, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to use for users with limited smartphone experience
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple operational modes: a first mode displaying simplified information suitable for users with limited smartphone experience, and a second mode providing full touchscreen functionality. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different user needs and skill levels, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on detected user interactions. When the sensor detects movements consistent with traditional analog watch operation, the interface presents simplified options. When touchscreen gestures are detected, the full functionality becomes available, allowing the system to optimize for ease of operation while preserving access to all multimedia functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If icons are made small to display many functions on the dial, then more functions can be shown, but reading and selection become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The icon display dynamically adjusts based on the operational mode detected by the sensor. In the first operational mode, larger, more readable icons are displayed with fewer functions visible at once. In the second operational mode, smaller icons displaying more functions are shown. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between displaying many functions and maintaining icon readability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional analog watch operation is used, then ease of use for elderly users is improved, but the ability to access modern smartwatch functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's physical movements and the digital interface. The sensor detects movements consistent with traditional analog watch operation and translates them into commands for the smartwatch functions, bridging the gap between analog interaction habits and digital functionality. This allows elderly users to access modern smartwatch features through familiar analog-style interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to support multiple operational modes within a single system. The same hardware platform can operate in a simplified mode for users preferring analog interactions or in a full touchscreen mode for users comfortable with smartphones. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to adapt to different user preferences and skill levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies the user interface, making it easier for users familiar with analog watches to navigate and select functions, increasing accessibility and reducing learning time for a broader age range.
Implementation Method 1
motion detection means configured for detecting the motion of the crown
Data Source
AI summary
A watch includes a case, a display for displaying a plurality of symbols, a processor in signal communication with the display, and configured for controlling the display in a manner such that they will display a screen where at least one first symbol is selected among a plurality of available symbols, a rotary crown associated with the case, and a motion detector configured for detecting at least the rotary motion of the crown, wherein the motion detector is in signal communication with the processor, and wherein the processor is also configured for controlling the display in a manner such that, when the crown is turned, at least one other symbol, different from the first symbol, will be selected among a plurality of available symbols.