Wearable Device Icon Navigation Using Concentric Bezel Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face limitations in displaying and navigating multiple application icons due to their limited display area, requiring users to rotate a bezel ring multiple times to access desired applications, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that hierarchically display icons in concentric circles on a wearable device, allowing users to interact with icons by rotating, pressing, or squeezing the bezel ring, enabling dynamic interaction and navigation through a combination of inputs to select and execute functions, with sensors detecting pressure and movement to determine icon selection and perform operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If icons are displayed in a single circular arrangement on the wearable device, then the device structure remains simple, but users must rotate the bezel ring multiple times to access desired applications, increasing operational complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the icon display into multiple concentric circular regions (first circular region, second circular region, etc.), each containing a separate set of icons. This segmentation allows users to access different groups of applications by selecting different regions, reducing the need for multiple rotations to find specific apps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a radial dimension to the icon navigation by arranging icons in concentric circles rather than a single flat circle. Users can navigate both angularly (rotating the bezel ring) and radially (selecting different circular regions), creating a two-dimensional navigation space that increases accessibility without requiring multiple full rotations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of icons are displayed in concentric circles, then application accessibility improves, but the display area and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested concentric circular regions where the first circular region, second circular region, and additional circular regions are arranged one inside another. This nesting approach maximizes the use of limited display area by organizing multiple icon sets in a compact radial layout, allowing access to numerous applications without significantly increasing the physical display footprint.
3Productivity
If hierarchical icon arrangement in concentric circles is implemented, then navigation efficiency improves, but the complexity of the interaction system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes icons into logical groups within different concentric circular regions before user interaction. Frequently used applications can be placed in the first circular region, while less frequently used applications are placed in outer regions. This preliminary organization reduces the cognitive load on users and enables faster access to commonly used applications without requiring complex real-time processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user experience by simplifying the navigation and selection of application icons, allowing intuitive access to multiple applications with reduced rotational effort and improved usability on limited display space.
Implementation Method 1
sensors detecting pressure and movement to determine icon selection and perform operations
Implementation Method 2
sensors detecting pressure and movement to determine icon selection and perform operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a wearable device and a wearable device are provided. The method includes hierarchically displaying a plurality of icon sets arranged along a plurality of virtual closed loops on a display of the wearable device, obtaining a first input to a bezel ring of the wearable device, determining at least one icon in the plurality of icon sets based on the first input to the bezel ring, and executing a preset function corresponding to the determined at least one icon.