Adaptive User Interface for Single-Handed Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

As smartphones and touch screen devices increase in size, operating them with a single hand becomes difficult due to the need for users to navigate complex menus to adjust the user interface for hand preference, leading to an unsatisfactory user experience, especially when switching between hands.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sensors on endpoint devices to detect when a user is holding the device with a single hand and automatically adjust the user interface size and position based on the user's thumb span, allowing for customizable and automatic alignment with the hand being used, using capacitive, temperature, optical, or pressure sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the screen size of smartphones and touch screen devices is increased to provide more multimedia content and functionality, then the display area and functionality are improved, but the ease of operation with a single hand deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidsingle handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is made dynamically adjustable based on detected hand preference. The system automatically repositions and resizes UI elements according to whether the user is holding the device with their left or right hand, transforming a static interface into an adaptive one that responds to user behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses sensors to automatically detect which hand the user is holding it with and autonomously adjusts the user interface without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring user behavior and making appropriate UI modifications, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex menus to change interface bias

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of interface bias through complicated menus is implemented to accommodate hand preference, then the adaptability to hand preference is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand preference adaptationVSAvoidmenu complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects hand preference using sensors and adjusts the user interface without requiring users to navigate complex menus. The system monitors which hand is holding the device and autonomously repositions UI elements, making the adaptation process transparent and effortless for the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor data to detect hand preference and provides real-time feedback by automatically adjusting the interface bias. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt to user behavior dynamically without requiring manual input or complex menu navigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual change of interface bias is required each time the user switches hands, then the adaptability to hand switching is improved, but the loss of time and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand switching adaptationVSAvoidtime to change interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is dynamically adjusted in real-time as the user switches hands. The system continuously monitors sensor data and automatically repositions UI elements based on the detected hand preference, eliminating the time required for manual interface changes and making the adaptation instantaneous and seamless

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enhances the user experience by allowing single-handed operation of larger devices with intuitive interface adjustments, ensuring that the interface is within the user's thumb span and easily accessible, improving usability and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive, temperature, optical, or pressure sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

using capacitive, temperature, optical, or pressure sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal sensing: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 3

using capacitive, temperature, optical, or pressure sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

using capacitive, temperature, optical, or pressure sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9851883B2Method and apparatus for adjusting and moving a user interface for single handed use on an endpoint device

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for adjusting and moving a user interface for single handed use on an endpoint device are disclosed. For example, the method determines a thumb span of a hand of a user on a touch screen display of the endpoint device, detects via one or more sensors on the endpoint device that the user is holding the endpoint device with a single hand, adjusting a size of the user interface to be within dimensions of the thumb span in response to the detecting and moves the user interface in a direction towards the single hand in response to the detecting.