Context-Aware Touch Input Translation for Multi-Function Device File Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen user interfaces on multi-function devices (MFDs) face challenges in navigating file directories due to their smaller size, which makes traditional desktop or tablet navigation methods inefficient, as they lack the space to display additional panes or distinguish between single and double clicks, and require more intuitive graphical icons to convey information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that modify the user interface to translate a single input based on the selected cloud application, allowing the same input to perform different actions, such as selecting a folder or opening a document, without displaying additional window panes, and using intuitive graphical icons like arrows pointing to the bottom right to indicate additional files or folders, optimizing the limited screen space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional desktop file directory navigation methods are used on MFD touch screens, then familiar selection and navigation operations can be performed, but the limited screen space prevents displaying additional panes and distinguishes between single and double clicks
Solution Approach 1:
A single input gesture (tap) performs multiple functions depending on the cloud application context: in Dropbox it selects a folder, in Google Drive it opens a document, in OneDrive it previews an image. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for multiple input types (single/double click) while maintaining familiar navigation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface assigns different meanings to the same input gesture based on the local context of the selected cloud application. The system determines which cloud application is currently selected and translates the input accordingly, allowing each region of the interface to have context-specific behavior that optimizes for both screen space and operational familiarity.
2Loss of information
If additional panes are displayed to show folder contents and navigation options, then more information is visible, but the screen space is insufficient on MFD touch displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cloud application-specific functionality from the general file directory navigation. Instead of displaying all possible options and panes simultaneously, the system extracts only the relevant functions for the currently selected cloud application and presents them in a context-appropriate manner, reducing visual clutter while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface dynamically adapts its behavior and displayed elements based on the selected cloud application. The system changes the meaning and effect of user inputs dynamically, and adjusts the interface layout to show only the relevant information for the current context, optimizing screen space utilization while preserving all necessary information access.
3Ease of operation
If intuitive graphical icons are used to indicate folder contents, then user understanding is improved, but more screen space is required for the icons
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the interpretation parameter of user inputs based on the selected cloud application context. Rather than using different graphical icons for different applications, the patent changes the functional parameter of the same input gesture, maintaining a clean iconographic interface while achieving application-specific behavior through contextual translation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for navigating a file directory on a touch screen user interface (UI) of a multi-function device (MFD) are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an input via the touch screen UI of the MFD, wherein the touch screen UI displays a modified UI of a plurality of different cloud applications, wherein each one of the plurality of different cloud applications is associated a different function, determining a cloud application of the plurality of different cloud applications associated with a particular function is currently selected in the MFD, translating the input based upon the particular function of the cloud application that is selected and executing the input in accordance with the particular function of the cloud application.