Physical Crown Input for Precise UI Object Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manipulating user interface objects on reduced-size touch-sensitive displays are inefficient and lack precision.

Innovation Solution

A system and process using a physical crown as an input device to rotate virtual objects, allowing users to select surfaces by determining rotational speed and direction, enabling efficient and convenient selection of user interface options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing touch-sensitive display manipulation methods are used, then device portability is maintained, but manipulation efficiency and precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation efficiencyVSAvoidmanipulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A physical crown component is introduced as an intermediary input device between the user and the user interface objects. The crown provides tactile feedback and precise rotational control, serving as a mediator that translates physical user actions into accurate digital manipulations on the touch-sensitive display, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining device portability and improving manipulation efficiency and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If touch-sensitive display manipulation is used, then device form factor remains small, but selection precision of user interface objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection precisionVSAvoiddisplay size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The input mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the physical crown for precise rotational input and the touch-sensitive display for visual output. This segmentation allows the crown to provide high-precision selection control independent of the display size, enabling accurate manipulation of user interface objects even on small display areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct touch-screen manipulation with a mechanical crown-based input system. The crown's physical rotation mechanism provides tactile feedback and precise angular control, substituting the imprecise finger-tapping or swiping actions on small touch-sensitive displays with a dedicated mechanical input device that offers superior selection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional touch manipulation methods are used, then device complexity is low, but manipulation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation efficiencyVSAvoidinput mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crown component is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be rotated in different directions, pressed, and tilted, providing diverse input modes for various user interface manipulations. This multi-functionality allows a single physical component to replace multiple separate controls, improving manipulation efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10275117B2User interface object manipulations in a user interface

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and processes for manipulating a graphical user interface are disclosed. One process can include receiving user input through a crown to rotate a virtual object. The process includes selecting a surface of the object from among the multiple surfaces of the object in response to determining that the crown rotation exceeded a speed threshold.