Software GUI for Multi-Display Content Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storyboard wall systems rely on paper diagrams, which are cumbersome and inefficient for visualizing and managing complex processes across multiple electronic display units, lacking the ability to control and coordinate display content across multiple devices from a single interface.

Innovation Solution

A software system that generates a graphical user interface (GUI) with virtual display unit icons and display content icons, allowing users to control and manage display content across multiple electronic displays, enabling simultaneous or sequential control of content across geographically distributed display groups through a network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paper diagrams are used for storyboard walls, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the efficiency of visualizing and managing complex processes across multiple displays is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoidefficiency of visualizing and managing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of display units and process diagrams in a software environment. Instead of using physical paper diagrams, the system generates digital representations that can be manipulated, copied, and distributed across multiple electronic displays, maintaining ease of implementation through software while dramatically improving visualization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical paper diagrams with a software-based control system. The mechanical manipulation of paper diagrams is substituted with digital interface interactions, allowing for more efficient management and coordination of display content across multiple electronic displays through software control instructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple paper diagrams are physically moved and reorganized on a wall, then the configuration can be modified, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to modify configurationVSAvoidtime required to modify and reorganize diagrams

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic software interface where display unit icons and process diagrams can be easily repositioned, resized, and reconfigured through digital manipulation. This dynamic environment allows rapid modification of configurations without the time-consuming physical handling of paper diagrams, while maintaining full adaptability of the storyboard wall layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows configurations to be pre-designed and prepared in the software environment before being deployed to multiple displays. Users can create, test, and refine process visualizations digitally before implementation, eliminating the need for time-consuming physical reorganization and allowing for quick adjustments when modifications are needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a single controller manages multiple electronic displays, then coordination efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal controller that manages multiple electronic displays through a single software interface. This multi-functional system can control different types of displays, manage various process visualizations, and coordinate content across geographically distributed locations, improving coordination efficiency while keeping the control system manageable through unified software control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7565616B2System for controlling display content for multiple electronic display units

Publication Date: 2009.07.21 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a system for controlling display content for multiple electronic displays includes software operable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) and control instructions. The GUI includes a plurality of virtual display unit icons and a plurality of display content icons, each of the display content icons corresponding with a display content file and each of the display content icons being operable to be selected and positioned within the GUI. Particular virtual display unit icons may be associated with particular display content icons according to the position of the particular display content icons within the GUI. The control instructions are adapted to define display content for a display group comprising a plurality of electronic display units, such that the display content for a particular display unit corresponds with the display content associated with a virtual display unit icon for the particular display unit.