Assistive Move Handle for Small Object Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems face difficulties in accurately interpreting user inputs for small selected objects due to overlapping resizing handles and buffer areas, making it hard for users to move or resize these objects effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system detects the size of a selected object and compares it to a move target size threshold; if the object is too small, an assistive move handle is displayed, displaced but visually connected to the object, allowing users to interactively move the object by acting on the handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If resizing handles and buffer areas are displayed around small objects, then the objects can be resized, but the overlapping handles make it difficult to move the objects and reduce input interpretation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the move handle functionality from the small object itself and displays it at a different location (such as the center of the screen or a designated area away from the object). This separation allows the move handle to be interacted with easily without the interference of overlapping resizing handles and buffer areas around the small object, thereby maintaining input interpretation accuracy while preserving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resizing handles are displayed close to small objects, then resizing is enabled, but the buffer areas overlap making user interaction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the move handle from the spatial dimension immediately surrounding the small object to a different dimension (such as the center of the screen or a designated interaction area). This dimensional relocation resolves the overlap issue with resizing handles and buffer areas, making user interaction easier while maintaining full object manipulation functionality including both moving and resizing capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the move target is placed on small objects, then moving is enabled, but precise input interpretation becomes difficult due to the small target area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary move handle that acts as a mediator between the user and the small object. Instead of requiring direct interaction with the small object itself (which has a small target area), the user interacts with the larger, separately-positioned move handle. This intermediary maintains the object moving capability while significantly improving user input detection accuracy through its larger interaction area.
Data Source
AI summary
User selection of a displayed object is detected. The size of the selected object is identified and compared with a move target size threshold. If the size of the selected object does not meet the move target size threshold, then a user actuatable move handle is displayed in a location displaced from the selected object, on the user interface, but visually connected to the selected object. User actuation of the move handle correspondingly moves the object on the user interface.