Copy Area Proposal Using Ranked History for Small Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in specifying an appropriate area for copying text on small-screen devices like smartphones and tablets, as it is cumbersome to accurately select the starting and ending points for copying text due to the limited screen size and input methods.

Innovation Solution

A method that retrieves and ranks previously copied content from a history database based on usage frequency, allowing users to select a copy area by clicking or tapping on the most frequently copied sections, which are highlighted on the screen, enabling easier text selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually specify copy area on small-screen devices, then copying function can be performed, but operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext selection processVSAvoidtime to specify copy area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores frequently copied content areas in a history database before users need to copy. When a copy operation is initiated, the system retrieves these pre-identified areas and presents them as suggestions, eliminating the need for users to manually specify copy boundaries each time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically identifies and suggests copy areas based on historical copying patterns without requiring manual user input for area specification. The system serves itself by using its own history data to improve the user experience, automatically highlighting relevant content that matches previous copying behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional mouse selection method is used, then copy area can be specified, but it is difficult to accurately select starting and ending points on small screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of copy area selectionVSAvoiddifficulty of specifying copy points

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the copy area specification. Instead of directly manipulating cursor positions, users interact with pre-identified content suggestions that are automatically highlighted. The system acts as a mediator by presenting curated copy area options based on historical data, reducing the precision requirements for user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical cursor-based selection method with an automated content recognition and suggestion system. Instead of relying on precise pointer movements to define copy boundaries, the system uses historical data analysis to automatically identify and highlight relevant content areas, substituting manual mechanical selection with intelligent automated identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10235426B2Proposing a copy area in a document

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Information on a cursor or pointer position is obtained, indicating a first content on a document displayed on a screen. A plurality of second contents are retrieved from a history information, each of the second contents comprising the first content. The history information comprises sets of contents, each of the sets comprising a content in the document which was copied by one or more users, and position information of this content. The sets are ranked in a predetermined order. A copy area is proposed based on one or more second contents in the predetermined order among the retrieved second contents.