Design method of GUI using genetic algorithm

This paper proposes an AV remote control that can automatically arrange icons using a genetic algorithm (GA). Our study intends to ensure the simpler and more efficient GUI design of multi-remote controls that can operate two or more AV devices. These multi-remote controls require a touch panel display, with a GUI arranged with on-screen buttons that resemble the physical buttons of ordinary remote controls. Accordingly, we are working on a GUI whose icons are effectively arranged based on a GA. In the GA, various icons of different sizes and shapes are regarded as genes, and the order of arranging icons on the screen is regarded as an array of genes, or an individual. First, genes in the GA are taken as the buttons, and an individual is taken as the order in which the buttons are arranged. Next, PC simulation was used to determine the GA evaluation, the technique of a selection, a crossover and a mutation, the terminate check, and parameters so that the processing time would be shorter. Finally, a prototype was generated and utilized to verification experiments. However, it was found that the processing of the GA needed a maximum of five minutes and we tried to improve the system. This effort was effective and we could end the process within a minute. As a result, we could achieve the automatic arrangement of buttons that minimized the number of pages and gaps.