Visual Icon Link Layout for Intuitive Operation Sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing user interface for setting and managing linked operations of hardware and software elements is not intuitive, relying on text-based methods that lack clarity and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that displays icons representing hardware and software elements, with links between them, where the spatial arrangement of icons corresponds to the temporal sequence of their operations, allowing for visual representation and intuitive setup of linked operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a text-based user interface is used for setting linked operations, then the system can register and manage apparatus linkages, but the intuitiveness and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to register linked operationsVSAvoidintuitiveness of operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the text-based mechanical interface with a visual display interface showing icons and links. The display control unit presents graphical representations of apparatuses and their linked operations, allowing users to intuitively understand and modify system configurations through visual feedback rather than text commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes visual display elements including color-coded icons and links to represent different apparatuses and their operational states. The display control unit employs color and visual variations to enhance the intuitiveness of the interface, making it easier for users to distinguish between different linked operations and apparatus functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple apparatuses are set to function in cooperation, then system functionality increases, but the complexity of setting and managing operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooperative functionality of apparatusesVSAvoidcomplexity of setting operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses icon representations as visual copies of actual apparatuses. Each apparatus is represented by an icon that appears in the display, and linked operations are shown as connections between these icons. This visual copying system allows users to manage complex multi-apparatus configurations through simplified graphical representations rather than dealing with the actual complexity of each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The display control unit serves multiple functions: it displays apparatus icons, shows linked operation relationships, provides visual feedback for system state, and enables user interaction for configuration. This universal interface consolidates multiple management functions into a single visual system, reducing the complexity of setting and managing cooperative apparatus operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11693530B2Information processing device, display control method, and program

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing device to enable a user to intuitively perform an operation of setting a linked operation of hardware elements or software elements, the information processing device including: a display control unit configured to cause a plurality of icons indicating hardware elements or software elements that perform a linked operation together, and a link connecting the plurality of icons to each other to be displayed. A spatial sequence of the plurality of icons formed by the link corresponds to a temporal sequence of operations of the software elements or the hardware elements indicated by the plurality of icons.