Vertical Touch Interface for Battery Tester Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery testers have user interfaces that are difficult to navigate, often requiring large horizontal screens and physical buttons, making them cumbersome for technicians to use, especially when testing batteries in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vertically-oriented touch screen user interface for battery testers that allows one-handed operation, featuring a three-stage top navigation for easy access to testing results and recommendations, enabling technicians to perform tests efficiently without the need for printouts or complex button navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large horizontal screen is used for the user interface, then the display area is increased, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal screen orientation to a vertical screen orientation. This dimensional change allows the display to maintain adequate area while fitting within a more compact, handheld form factor that is easier to position and operate during battery testing
2Ease of operation
If physical buttons are used for navigation, then the interface is tactile and easy to operate, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical buttons with a touch-sensitive screen interface. This substitution eliminates the need for separate button components while maintaining ease of operation through direct tactile interaction with the display surface itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the navigation control function with the display surface by implementing a touch-sensitive screen. This combines what were previously separate elements (display and buttons) into a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity
3Loss of information
If printouts are used to display testing results, then all information can be displayed, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing process with an electronic display system. The touch-sensitive screen directly presents testing results, navigation options, and recommendations in real-time, eliminating the time required for printout generation and delivery while maintaining complete information display
4Measurement precision
If the tester requires two hands for operation, then control precision is improved, but productivity and ease of use during mobile testing decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control functions into the vertical touch-sensitive screen interface, allowing navigation, selection, and information display to be accomplished with one hand. This merging of functions maintains operational precision while enabling the technician to use the other hand for cable connections and battery handling
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical orientation of the touch screen allows for a layout that is optimized for one-handed operation, with buttons and navigation elements positioned within easy reach of a single hand, thereby enabling efficient mobile testing while maintaining control precision
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery tester comprising a computing device and a screen, the computing device being configured to display on the screen a user interface for improved battery testing; the user interface comprising a series of interfaces: a first interface comprising a plurality of icons, each of the plurality of icons corresponding to at least one of a test condition or a tester functionality; a testing interface comprising a number of instructions which update based on a user interaction with the vehicle, and wherein selection of an icon in the first interface corresponding to a test condition displays the testing interface; and a results interface, having a three-stage top navigation and summary, the three-stage top navigation for reporting battery health metrics, wherein completion of the testing interface displays a results interface.