Graphical user interface for a household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for household appliances with touch-sensitive displays suffer from insufficient user friendliness and low intuitive operability, making them difficult for users to control effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method using a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit that adapts the graphical representation based on user interaction speed, providing intuitive control by changing the display representation to assist users in changing setting values with a single drag gesture, automatically adjusting to user behavior and displaying information synchronously with touch movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch-sensitive display is used for controlling household appliances, then the appliance can be controlled electronically with multiple settings, but the user friendliness and intuitive operability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical representation dynamically changes its state based on user interaction. When a user touches and drags a symbol, the display transitions from a first graphical representation showing multiple symbols to a second graphical representation showing only the touched symbol with a slider, and finally to a third graphical representation confirming the selected setting. This dynamic adaptation makes the interface more intuitive and easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The control process is segmented into distinct phases: selection phase (showing all appliance subunits), adjustment phase (showing only the selected subunit with slider), and confirmation phase (showing the final setting). This segmentation allows users to focus on one control task at a time, improving ease of operation while maintaining versatile control functionality.
2Measurement precision
If multiple touches at different locations are required for setting changes, then precise control is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the selection and adjustment functions into a single continuous drag gesture. The user touches a symbol to select it, then drags to adjust the setting value, combining what would traditionally require separate actions into one fluid motion. This reduces operation complexity while maintaining precise control through the slider mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the adjustment interface in advance by displaying a slider with multiple setting values along a line when the user touches a symbol. This preliminary preparation allows the user to immediately adjust settings during the drag motion without additional steps, reducing operational complexity while preserving precise control options.
3Loss of information
If the graphical representation changes slowly to provide clear feedback, then user understanding is improved, but the response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical representation changes continuously during the drag gesture, providing real-time feedback on the setting value as the user moves their finger. The display updates the position indicator and numerical value continuously rather than in discrete steps, maintaining information clarity while responding instantly to user input without delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying the current setting value, position indicator, and appliance subunit symbol throughout the drag operation. The feedback is continuous and synchronous with the user's gesture, ensuring clear information transmission without requiring pauses or delays that would increase response time.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface includes a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit for controlling the touch-sensitive display. A method for controlling a household appliance using the graphical user interface includes the steps of: displaying a first graphical representation on the touch-sensitive display, the first graphical representation including one or more symbols (V1, V2), each symbol (V1, V2) being associated with an appliance subunit of the household appliance; touching a symbol (V1, V2) by a touching means in order to change of a setting value of the appliance subunit associated with the touched symbol (V1) by moving the touching means; determining the moving speed of the touching means by the display control unit; and displaying information at the touch-sensitive display depending on the determined moving speed of the touching means.