Clone Image Drag-and-Drop for Touch Panel Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panel operations in data processing apparatuses, such as MFPs, are prone to errors due to the need to move a finger across the screen to drop a thumbnail, which can result in accidental drops, especially when the panel is oriented upward, making it difficult to accurately target positions below the finger's line of sight.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus that includes a position detection system to select data and display clone images, allowing users to move a clone image corresponding to the data to be processed, while simultaneously displaying candidate process images at defined positions, enabling the selection of processes based on relative positional relations between the clone image and process images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the touch panel surface is oriented upward for easy viewing in standing posture, then ease of operation is improved, but operation precision deteriorates because the downward direction is hidden under the user's finger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clone image that moves independently on the display surface, adding a visual dimension that allows users to designate positions in the downward direction without physical obstruction. The clone image serves as a visual indicator that can be positioned anywhere on the screen, including areas below the user's finger line of sight, thereby resolving the contradiction between upward orientation for viewing comfort and downward position accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the user moves the finger across the touch panel to drop a thumbnail, then the operation can be performed, but operation reliability deteriorates because the finger may leave the panel during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a clone image that replicates the thumbnail and moves with the user's finger contact. This clone image remains on the display surface throughout the movement, providing continuous visual feedback and ensuring the user does not lose track of the selected item. The clone image acts as a persistent visual indicator that maintains the selection state even when the finger moves to different positions, thereby improving operation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clone image provides continuous visual feedback to the user during the drag operation. As the user moves their finger, the clone image follows and displays the current selection position, allowing the user to monitor the operation progress in real-time. This feedback mechanism helps prevent operation errors by ensuring the user can track where the selection is being moved, even when the finger is in motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple process images are displayed at defined positions, then process selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple image management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display surface into functional zones: the clone image area for data selection and multiple process image areas for process selection. Each segment serves a specific purpose and can be managed independently. The process images are arranged at defined positions relative to the clone image, creating a structured layout that simplifies the management of multiple images while maintaining versatile process selection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus includes a position detection portion for detecting a position designated on a display, a data select portion for selecting data identified by a first image displayed on the display as target data, a clone image display portion for arranging a clone image corresponding to the first image at the detected position, a clone image moving portion for moving the clone image, a second image display portion for arranging one or more second images for identifying one or more kinds of processes executable on the target data at positions based on the position of the first image, a candidate process decision portion for deciding a process identified by the second image having a predetermined relative positional relation to the clone image as a candidate process, and an execution process decision portion for deciding the candidate process as an execution process when the position is no longer detected.