Adaptive GUI Region for One-Handed Touchscreen Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users with features different from population averages face difficulties when using existing touch screen interfaces designed for one-handed operation, as they may not be able to easily reach notifications or icons displayed near the upper edge of the screen.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that adaptively determines a user-preferred region based on the user's hand, finger position, and interaction patterns to display graphical user interface elements, allowing for easy manipulation even with one hand by identifying regions frequently used by the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If notifications are displayed near the upper edge of the screen to maximize display space utilization, then the display area is fully utilized, but users experience difficulty reaching the notifications when operating the device with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidaccessibility of GUI elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the display region adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines a user-preferred display region based on hand detection and usage patterns, allowing the notification area to move between upper and lower edges of the screen. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling full display area utilization while ensuring notifications are always positioned within easy reach of the user's hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of display region position based on detected user characteristics and usage patterns. By monitoring which hand the user holds the device with and analyzing usage statistics, the system adjusts the vertical position parameter of the notification display region, switching between upper and lower edge placements to optimize both display area utilization and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed curved path interface is designed based on population average finger shape and length, then the interface is standardized and easy to manufacture, but individual users with different physical characteristics still experience inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface standardizationVSAvoidadaptability to individual users
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the interface display region for each individual user based on their specific physical characteristics and usage patterns. Instead of applying a uniform curved path interface to all users, the system determines each user's preferred display region locally, considering factors such as hand size, finger length, and holding patterns. This allows the interface to be adapted to individual users while maintaining the overall standardized system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the interface from a static, population-average-based design to a dynamic, user-specific configuration. By continuously monitoring usage patterns and detecting user characteristics, the system adjusts the display region position and curvature radius to match individual user needs, enabling the interface to evolve from standardized to personalized while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the display region is dynamically adjusted to accommodate one-handed operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to hand detection and adaptive positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-handed operation capabilityVSAvoidhand detection and adaptive positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to automatically detect user characteristics and adjust the display region without requiring manual configuration. The system autonomously monitors which hand the user holds the device with, analyzes usage patterns, and dynamically repositions the notification area accordingly. This self-adjusting mechanism improves one-handed operation capability while minimizing the user burden, effectively masking the underlying complexity through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops by continuously monitoring user interaction patterns and using this information to adjust the display region position. The device detects usage statistics, analyzes which hand is being used, and feeds this information back into the positioning algorithm to optimize the notification display location. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive positioning that improves ease of operation while managing complexity through intelligent, data-driven adjustment rather than complex mechanical or manual systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3292461B1Electronic device and operating method of the same
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3292461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3292461B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3292461B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device including a display configured to display at least one graphical user interface (GUI) element, and a controller configured to identify a user-preferred region preferred by a user on the display and control the display to display the at least one GUI element in the identified user-preferred region.