Touch Interface Mode Switching for Status Icon Selectability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen GUIs on small computing devices typically have status bars that are not interactive, limiting user access to device status information, while command icons are selectable but not easily switchable to status icon interaction modes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a touch interface with a status display portion and a command portion, where users can switch between modes to make status icons selectable by touch input, allowing access to device status and configuration, while command icons are not selectable in this mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If status icons are made non-selectable in the default mode to maintain clear command-status separation, then user interface clarity is improved, but user access to device status information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic user interface that can switch between two operational modes. In the first mode, status icons are non-selectable to maintain interface clarity. When a user activates the mode switch (e.g., by pressing a key or performing a gesture), the interface transitions to a second mode where status icons become selectable, allowing users to access detailed device status information. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the interface behavior based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selectable parameter of status icons based on the operational mode. In the default mode, the selectable parameter of status icons is set to false (non-selectable). When the mode switch is activated, the selectable parameter changes to true (selectable), enabling users to interact with status icons. This parameter change allows the system to maintain clarity when needed while providing access to status information when required.
2Productivity
If status bar occupies small portion of the touch screen to maintain display efficiency, then screen real estate is optimized, but user interaction with status information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the status bar dynamically adjustable in size based on user interaction. In the default state, the status bar occupies a small portion of the screen to maintain display efficiency. When a user activates the mode switch, the status bar expands to a larger size, providing more space for status icons and enabling user interaction. This dynamic size adjustment resolves the contradiction between display efficiency and user interaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension of interaction by implementing mode switching. Instead of simply enlarging the status bar permanently (which would reduce display efficiency), the system adds a temporal dimension where the status bar can transition between small and large states. This allows the status bar to occupy minimal space during normal operation while providing expanded interaction capability when needed.
3Reliability
If command icons remain always selectable to maintain command functionality, then command execution is ensured, but user ability to access status information is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control over icon selectability based on operational mode. In the default mode, command icons remain selectable to ensure reliable command execution. When the user activates the mode switch, the system transitions to a second mode where status icons become selectable while command icons become non-selectable. This dynamic switching allows the system to prioritize either command execution or status information access based on user needs, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selectable parameter of different icon types based on the operational mode. For command icons, the selectable parameter is set to true in the default mode to ensure command execution. When the mode switch is activated, the selectable parameter of command icons changes to false, while the selectable parameter of status icons changes from false to true. This parameter switching enables the system to maintain command functionality when needed while providing status information access when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for interacting with a computing device, involving presenting a first mode of a touch interface, where the touch interface is configured as a user interface of the computing device, where the touch interface comprises at least one status icon, and where in the first mode, the status icon is not selectable by touch input. The method further includes receiving, from a user using the computing device, a first input indicating a desire to switch from the first mode to a second mode of the touch interface; and in response to receiving the first input, presenting the user with the second mode of the touch interface, where in the second mode, the status icon is selectable by touch input, and where the status icon displays a corresponding status of the computing device.