Test Instrument Interface Move Mode for Accidental Alteration Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test and measurement instruments lack flexible user interfaces, making it difficult to rearrange or resize display components, which can lead to accidental alterations and inaccurate measurements, especially in less-than-ideal environments.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen and/or mouse-activated interface with container logic that enables intuitive management of waveform views and related information, allowing users to arrange layouts without unintentionally erasing or altering settings, through distinct work and move modes that prevent accidental interactions during reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user interface allows flexible rearrangement and resizing of display components, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the risk of accidental alterations to workspace settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between work mode and move mode based on user interaction. In move mode, the interface allows flexible rearrangement and resizing of waveform containers and display components. In work mode, the system protects workspace settings from accidental alterations while maintaining display functionality. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing flexibility when needed and protection during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the user interface by introducing mode switching between work mode and move mode. This parameter change allows the system to transition from a protected state (work mode) where accidental alterations are prevented to a flexible state (move mode) where rearrangement is enabled, and vice versa. This resolves the contradiction by making the protection level adjustable rather than fixed.
2Reliability
If the user interface provides fixed and stable display layout, then the reliability and measurement accuracy are maintained, but the adaptability to different environments and user preferences is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic mode switching between work mode and move mode to balance reliability and adaptability. During normal measurement operations in work mode, the display layout remains stable and protected, ensuring measurement accuracy. When adaptation is needed, users can switch to move mode to rearrange and resize display components according to environmental conditions or personal preferences, then return to work mode to preserve the new configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary protection of workspace settings by default in work mode, preventing accidental alterations during measurements. When adaptability is required, users can deliberately switch to move mode to make layout adjustments before returning to work mode. This preliminary protection mechanism ensures that measurement accuracy is maintained while allowing intentional adaptations when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the interface allows extensive manipulation of windows and containers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of catastrophic system failures due to misunderstandings or inexact analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protective measures before harmful errors can occur. In work mode, the system prevents accidental alterations to waveform containers, measurement settings, and trigger configurations that could lead to misunderstandings or catastrophic failures. Users must deliberately switch to move mode to make changes, and the system provides visual feedback about potential impacts before changes are applied, thereby preventing harmful actions while maintaining operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are described for providing an intuitive user interface on a test and measurement instrument. The test and measurement instrument can include container logic, which provides a work mode in which interactions with objects within a container on a display are allowed, and a move mode in which interactions with the objects within the container on the display are temporarily prevented. When in the move mode, the container logic can detect a dragging gesture associated with the container. In response to the dragging gesture, a preview container arrangement is provided overlaying the container arrangement. The container logic can detect a dropping indication, thereby causing the arrangement to snap to the preview container arrangement. Various other user interface controls are provided while in the move mode. In multi-user environments, customized container arrangements may be saved and then later recalled. Containers may be moved among multiple different displays.