Touch-Sensitive Appliance Interface with Single-Drag Setting Control
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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 it difficult for users to modify settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and graphical user interface that utilizes a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit to allow users to change appliance settings through a single drag interaction, with a first graphical representation displaying symbols for appliance subunits, a second representation showing control setting information, and a third representation confirming the chosen setting value, reducing the need for multiple touches and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional touch-sensitive display interface is used for controlling household appliances, then the appliance can be controlled with electronic settings, but the user friendliness and intuitive operability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes in the graphical representation to indicate different states and provide visual feedback to users. The display shows different colors for selected appliances, active heating zones, and temperature levels, making the interface more intuitive and easier to understand without increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual dimension to touch control by displaying graphical representations with spatial relationships. The graphical interface maps appliance zones to visual positions on the display, allowing users to understand and control settings through intuitive spatial visualization rather than abstract menu navigation
2Ease of operation
If multiple touches at different locations are required to change settings, then precise control is achieved, but the operability becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single graphical interaction. By displaying a visual representation where users can directly touch and drag across the graphical display, the system merges selection, adjustment, and confirmation into one continuous gesture, eliminating the need for multiple separate touches and menu navigations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback that updates in real-time as users interact with the graphical display. The display shows current temperature values, heating status, and setting changes instantly during the dragging gesture, allowing users to see the effect of their actions immediately without waiting for separate confirmation steps
3Loss of information
If detailed setting information is displayed continuously, then user awareness of settings is improved, but the display complexity and information overload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic display behavior where the graphical representation adapts its level of detail based on user interaction state. During idle periods, the display shows simplified views; when a user touches or drags across the display, detailed setting information appears contextually at relevant positions, providing information only when needed without constant visual clutter
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface includes a touch-sensitive display and a display control unit for controlling the display. A method for controlling a household appliance using the graphical user interface includes the steps of: displaying a first graphical representation on the display, the first graphical representation including symbols, each symbol being associated with an appliance subunit of the household appliance; when a symbol is touched by a touching means, transmitting control signals from the control unit to the display 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 when the touching means is dragged from a first position to a second position at the display; and changing the graphical representation at the display from the second graphical representation to a third graphical representation when lifting the touching means from the display.