User Interface Control for TV Program Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulty in efficiently selecting desired TV programs from numerous recorded options due to the lack of direct interaction with program-related information, leading to inefficient unattended recording processes.
Innovation Solution
A user interface controlling apparatus and method that allows users to switch between different categories of data, such as text and picture information, on a display unit using upward-, downward-, rightward-, and leftward-pointing buttons, enabling selective display and efficient retrieval of relevant data, including TV program schedules, text, and picture information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic recording reservation is carried out using EPG and user preference information, then the user's burden is reduced, but the accuracy of program selection may deteriorate because the system cannot fully capture the user's actual preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays program information (text, images, schedules) to the user and receives feedback through remote controller operations. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust and refine program selections based on actual user responses, combining automatic processing with user verification to maintain both ease of operation and selection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit serves as an intermediary between the automatic recording system and the user. It presents program information in multiple formats (text, images, schedules) and transmits user selections back to the recording control unit, enabling accurate program selection while maintaining user convenience
2Loss of information
If multiple categories of data are displayed simultaneously, then comprehensive information is provided, but the user's ability to efficiently locate desired information deteriorates due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit segments program information into distinct categories (text information, picture information, broadcast schedules) that can be independently selected and displayed. This segmentation allows comprehensive information to be available while enabling users to efficiently locate desired information by selecting only relevant categories
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically switches between different information categories based on user selection. Users can change display content in real-time by operating the remote controller, allowing efficient information retrieval while maintaining access to comprehensive program data
3Loss of information
If text information is displayed for all programs, then complete program details are provided, but the display time required increases for programs without text information
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays text information selectively rather than for all programs. When text information is unavailable for a program, the system skips text display and proceeds to display other available information (pictures, schedules), reducing unnecessary display time while maintaining information completeness for programs that have text available
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface controlling apparatus is disclosed which includes an inputting section for inputting user operation information, and a display controlling section for controlling display of data in a switched manner on a display unit based on input information from the inputting section. The display controlling section exercises control, based on the input information coming from the inputting section designating any of upward-, downward-, rightward-, and leftward-pointing buttons, over selection of a data aggregate to be displayed from data aggregates including different categories of data, and over selection of category data for display from the selected data aggregate, before outputting the selected category data to the display unit.