Context-Sensitive Touch Input Gesture Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices struggle to differentiate between various contexts, such as application modes or user motion, when interpreting touch inputs, leading to inconsistent or unsafe actions, like inadvertent message deletions while in motion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing context-sensitive actions by determining the context through sensors and application data, allowing different actions for the same touch input in varying contexts, such as requiring a 'long' swipe for message deletion while in motion and a 'short' swipe while stationary, and adjusting passcode entry requirements based on device motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device performs the same action for all touch inputs regardless of context, then the operation is simple and consistent, but accidental actions occur during motion and user safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gesture recognition by adjusting gesture parameters (duration, distance, velocity) based on real-time context detection. The system transitions from static gesture recognition to dynamic context-aware recognition, where the same physical gesture can have different interpretations depending on device motion state, application context, and user intent indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces context determination as an intermediary layer between touch input detection and action execution. This intermediary analyzes multiple factors (device motion, application state, gesture characteristics) to mediate the interpretation of touch inputs, preventing direct mapping of gestures to actions and enabling intelligent differentiation between intentional and accidental inputs.
2Reliability
If the device requires different actions for the same touch input in different contexts, then user safety is improved, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments gesture recognition into multiple independent analysis dimensions: touch characteristics (duration, pressure, position), device context (motion state, orientation), and application context (current mode, active elements). Each dimension is evaluated separately and combined to determine the final action, allowing complex behavior to emerge from simple segmented analyses rather than requiring users to learn complex gesture syntax.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used to interpret touch inputs based on context. The same physical gesture (e.g., a swipe) is interpreted differently by adjusting parameters such as minimum duration thresholds, velocity requirements, or distance criteria depending on whether the device is stationary or in motion, thereby maintaining ease of physical operation while improving action accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the device uses context-sensitive actions for touch input, then accidental actions are prevented during motion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary context assessment and gesture validation before executing actions. The system pre-establishes context rules and gesture thresholds, then uses these pre-defined criteria to quickly evaluate incoming touch inputs without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby preventing accidental actions while maintaining system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors device state, gesture execution results, and user interaction patterns. This feedback is used to refine context determination algorithms and adjust gesture recognition parameters dynamically, improving protection against accidental actions while adapting to user preferences and reducing unnecessary complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing context-sensitive actions in response to touch input are provided. A user interface of an application can be displayed. Touch input can be received in a region of the displayed user interface, and a context can be determined. A first action may be performed if the context is a first context and a second action may instead be performed if the context is a second context different from the first context. In some embodiments, an action may be performed if the context is a first context and the touch input is a first touch input, and may also be performed if the context is a second context and the touch input is a second touch input.