Software Virtual Interface Elements Replace Physical Buttons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital user interfaces rely on physical buttons and displays, which are costly, error-prone, and power-intensive, limiting flexibility and battery life in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

A client device provides a software-based user interface using graphical and sound-based virtual elements, with a wearable device detecting user movements to determine interactions, allowing for reduced manufacturing costs, improved reliability, and enhanced power conservation by disabling the display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical buttons and sliders are used in the user interface, then the device provides tactile feedback and reliable input, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device becomes more prone to errors and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical buttons and sliders with software-based virtual interface elements displayed on the screen. The mechanical input system is substituted with a combination of display technology and motion sensing capabilities, eliminating the need for physical buttons while maintaining input functionality through gesture recognition and touch interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of physical interface elements as software representations on the display. These virtual buttons and sliders replicate the functionality of physical counterparts but exist purely as graphical or auditory elements that can be interacted with through touch or motion gestures, eliminating manufacturing costs associated with physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If physical buttons and sliders are used in the user interface, then the device provides tangible interaction, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile interactionVSAvoidnumber of physical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button and slider system with software-based virtual elements. The physical mechanical components are substituted with graphical or auditory interface elements that respond to touch and motion gestures, significantly reducing the number of physical parts while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the display screen serve multiple functions: it displays visual information, provides touch input capability, and works in conjunction with motion sensors to enable gesture-based interaction. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate physical buttons and sliders, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the display is continuously used for the user interface, then the user interface is visually accessible, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual interface accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements auditory interface elements that can operate independently of continuous visual display. The system can switch between visual and auditory presentation modes, allowing the display to remain off or in low-power mode while audio elements continue to provide interface functionality, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces auditory elements as an intermediary between the user and the interface content. Instead of requiring continuous visual display, the system uses sound to convey information and enable interaction, allowing the display to be minimized or turned off while maintaining full interface accessibility through audio feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230196765A1Software-based user interface element analogues for physical device elements

Publication Date: 2023.06.22 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A client device of a user (e.g., a headset) provides a software-based user interface, not relying solely on physical buttons built into the client device itself. The client device's user interface system can render the user interface using graphical, virtual user interface elements that take the place of physical buttons, reducing device manufacturing costs, improving user interface reliability, and allowing greater user interface flexibility. Information on user movements can then be obtained using a separate wearable device, and the client device can use such information to determine whether the user's movements indicate interactions with the virtual user interface elements, taking appropriate actions if so. The client device's user interface system can also render the user interface using sounds made to appear to emanate from particular locations. Subsequent user movements can then be analyzed to determine whether they indicate the particular locations corresponding to the sound-based elements.