Graphical user interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for household appliances, particularly touch-sensitive displays, suffer from insufficient user friendliness and low intuitive operability, making it difficult for users to modify settings efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a touch-sensitive display with a display control unit that allows users to change appliance settings through a single drag interaction, where the display transitions through graphical representations to provide intuitive feedback on setting changes, reducing the need for multiple touches and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive display is used for controlling household appliances, then the appliance can be operated without mechanical buttons, but the user friendliness and intuitive operability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is segmented into multiple graphical representations, each displaying a set of symbols corresponding to different appliance subunits or functions. This segmentation allows the interface to present information in manageable, organized groups, improving user friendliness while maintaining clarity despite the overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional flat button interfaces to a multi-dimensional graphical interface where symbols are arranged in spatial configurations. The display can show multiple symbols simultaneously with hierarchical relationships, adding dimensional organization to the interface structure, which enhances intuitiveness without simply adding more elements
2Productivity
If multiple touches at different locations are required to change settings, then precise control is achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the selection and adjustment functions into a single graphical representation. When a user touches a symbol, the interface displays both the symbol identity and adjustable parameters in one view, allowing setting changes to be made in a single continuous gesture rather than requiring separate touches for selection and parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical representation is designed to automatically display relevant setting information and adjustment options as soon as a symbol is touched, preparing the interface in advance for the user's adjustment action. This preliminary display of options eliminates the need for additional navigation steps to find adjustment parameters
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a household appliance using a graphical user interface, the user interface comprising a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit for controlling the touch-sensitive display, the method comprising the steps of: - displaying a first graphical representation on the touch-sensitive display (3), the first graphical representation comprising one or more symbols (V1, V2), each symbol (V1, V2) associated with an appliance subunit of the household appliance; - when a symbol (V1, V2) is touched by a touching means, transmitting control signals from the display control unit (4) to the touch-sensitive display (3) in order to change the first graphical representation into a second graphical representation; - displaying information regarding a change of a setting value of the appliance entity associated with the touched symbol (V1) when said touching means is dragged from a first position to a second position at the touch-sensitive display (3); and - changing the graphical representation at the touch-sensitive display (3) from the second graphical representation to a third graphical representation when lifting the touching means from the touch-sensitive display.