UI Content Representation via Preliminary Image Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses face difficulties in quickly displaying and allowing users to select content due to the time-consuming process of obtaining meta-information from storage media, especially when connected through a network, leading to user frustration with delayed content representation and selection.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a total-number obtaining unit to get the total number of items from the source before displaying representation images, using undetermined images initially, and only switches to detailed images after user input stops, allowing for quicker content selection by pre-loading meta-information during idle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If representation images are displayed by obtaining meta-information from a storage medium or network, then the user can recognize content, but it takes too much time to obtain all meta-information and display all representation images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying a predetermined number of representation images immediately after the user operation starts, before all meta-information is obtained. This allows the user to start interacting with the interface without waiting for complete data loading, while the remaining images are fetched and displayed in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the meta-information acquisition process by dividing the representation images into two groups: those displayed immediately (predetermined number) and those displayed later (remaining images). This segmentation allows the system to provide partial content representation quickly while continuing to load the rest asynchronously.
2Ease of operation
If all meta-information is obtained before displaying representation images, then complete content selection is enabled, but the user must wait for the entire process which causes stress and frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary display of representation images based on previously cached meta-information or placeholder data, allowing users to immediately interact with the interface. The complete meta-information is then obtained in the background without blocking the user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by displaying placeholder representation images or previously cached images while the actual meta-information is being fetched. This intermediary state maintains UI responsiveness and prevents users from experiencing the full delay of data acquisition.
3Reliability
If representation images are displayed sequentially as they are found through network, then network delays are handled, but the user cannot quickly access the last piece of content in the list
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying a batch of representation images at the beginning, including those at the end of the content list. This allows users to immediately navigate to and select the last piece of content without waiting for sequential network retrieval, while still handling network delays gracefully for subsequent operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic apparatus (10) includes a total-number obtaining unit to obtain information about a total number of items to be provided from a source; a first display unit to display undetermined representation images on a screen if it is determined that some of the representation images displayed on the screen have been changed, the undetermined representation images being generated based on the total number obtained by the total-number obtaining unit so that the respective undetermined representation images correspond to the total number of the items to be provided; a determining unit to determine whether change of the representation images displayed on the screen has stopped; and a second display unit to display the representation images by obtaining, from the source, information to display the representation images to be newly displayed on the screen if the determining unit determines that change of the representation images displayed on the screen has stopped.