Unified Menu Bar for Multi-Application Display Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information display devices for radar images and other applications require users to learn different menu item positions and selection methods for each application, leading to user confusion due to varying menu configurations.
Innovation Solution
A unified information display device design where menu items and selection methods remain consistent across applications, with menu items arranged in a hierarchical structure and displayed in a consistent manner, allowing for efficient switching between applications without compromising viewability of the information image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different menu configurations are displayed for different applications, then each application can have its specialized menu items, but users must learn different positions and selection methods for each application, leading to user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal menu bar structure that serves all applications consistently. The menu bar is positioned at the same location and follows the same interaction pattern across different applications (radar, AIS, electronic chart, etc.), while allowing each application to display its relevant menu items within this consistent framework. This resolves the contradiction by making the interface universally operable across diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments menu items into application-specific categories while maintaining a unified menu bar structure. Each application (radar, AIS, electronic chart) has its own set of menu items, but they are all organized within the same menu bar interface, allowing users to access different application-specific functions through a consistent navigation pattern.
2Adaptability or versatility
If menu items are displayed in different positions for different applications, then each application can optimize its menu layout, but users experience confusion when switching between applications due to varying display positions
Solution Approach 1:
The menu bar is established as a universal interface element that maintains its position and behavior across all applications. Users learn one menu bar interaction pattern that works for radar, AIS, electronic chart, and other applications, eliminating the time loss associated with learning different menu positions for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu bar is pre-positioned in a standard location that is accessible across all applications before the user needs to interact with it. This preliminary establishment of a consistent menu bar position allows users to immediately access menu items without needing to locate or relearn menu positions when switching applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If application-specific menu items are displayed differently, then each application can have customized menu options, but the overall system complexity increases making the interface harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments menu items by application type (radar, AIS, electronic chart, etc.) while organizing them within a single unified menu bar. This segmentation allows each application to have its specialized menu items while preventing interface complexity from increasing, as all menu items follow the same display and interaction patterns within the consistent menu bar structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information display device (20) is provided. The information display device includes a controller (21) for being able to execute a plurality of applications, a user interface (23) for allowing a user to instruct the controller, and a display unit (24) for simultaneously displaying an application selection menu item for allowing the user to select one of the applications and an application proprietary menu item that is used with a selected application, along with an information image created by execution of the selected application. The display unit is configured to display the information image, the application selection menu item, and the application proprietary menu at substantially the same position on a display screen of the display unit, regardless of which application is selected.