Directional Item Selection Layout for Low-Precision Character Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information selecting apparatuses, such as character input systems, suffer from low operability due to the need for precise directional inputs and lack of consideration for input frequency and difficulty levels in character arrangement, making it difficult for users to select items efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An information selecting apparatus with a direction input means, operating means, storing means, and selection item setting means that assigns items to directions based on input frequency and difficulty levels, using a polygonal guide to facilitate easy selection of frequently used items and reduce input difficulty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If characters are arranged at intersection points between concentric circles and radial lines, then a character set can be selected by directional input, but the operability for character selection is low due to requiring precise directional input and not considering input frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different input difficulty levels to different directional regions. Specifically, vertex directions are designated as easier to input than side directions, creating non-uniform input characteristics across the polygonal guide. This allows frequently used characters to be placed in easier-to-access vertex positions while less frequent characters occupy side positions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision by making the input system adaptive to usage patterns rather than requiring uniform precision for all characters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of input difficulty by introducing a polygonal guide with vertices and sides that have different input characteristics. The vertex directions require less precise input control compared to side directions, effectively creating a parameter change in the input system. This allows the system to accommodate varying precision requirements for different characters based on their usage frequency, improving overall operability without sacrificing the ability to distinguish between different character selection needs
2Productivity
If characters are arranged without considering input frequency, then the arrangement structure is simple, but the selection efficiency is reduced due to not optimizing for frequently used items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing input frequency data for each character before the actual selection process. The system performs frequency analysis in advance and uses this pre-computed information to optimize character arrangement, placing high-frequency characters in easily accessible vertex positions. This preliminary preparation enables efficient selection without adding complexity to the real-time selection interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using input frequency data to dynamically adjust or pre-adjust the arrangement of characters in the display. The system monitors or analyzes character usage patterns and uses this feedback information to optimize the positioning of characters, ensuring that frequently used characters are placed in optimal positions. This feedback mechanism improves selection efficiency without requiring complex real-time adjustments during selection
Data Source
AI summary
An information selecting apparatus includes a computer, and makes a user select an arbitrary item from a plurality of items by a direction input of the user. Each of the items is assigned to a direction based on an input frequency, for example. In a case that a direction input is performed by means of a polygonal guide, the items are assigned to directions corresponding to the vertexes of the guide and directions corresponding to the parts except for the vertexes. For example, a high-frequency item is assigned to the direction corresponding to the vertex, or a range of the direction assigned to the high-frequency item is relatively made larger. Furthermore, when a direction corresponding to the vertex is input, items assigned to the parts except for the vertexes may temporarily be assigned to other vertexes. In addition, when predetermined operation data is input, the items of the directions corresponding to the vertexes and the items of the directions corresponding to the parts except for the vertexes may be interchanged.