Document Layout Management via Gesture Space Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices lack efficient and user-friendly solutions for managing the layout of electronic documents, particularly in rearranging and resizing text and non-text content blocks, which limits intuitive editing and space management within documents.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented by a computing device that allows users to manage document layout through finger gestures, creating or reducing spaces between items by defining selection points and moving a space line, enabling intuitive and efficient resizing and repositioning of blocks within an electronic document.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional applications are used for editing electronic document layout, then the basic document functions are maintained, but the user experience is limited and layout editing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects finger gestures and converts them into layout editing operations. The computing device itself performs the layout management functions by monitoring touch inputs and executing space creation/reduction operations without requiring complex manual commands or multiple application layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical interaction mechanisms (buttons, menus, drag-and-drop operations) with direct touch-based finger gestures. This substitution simplifies the user interface by using natural finger movements on the touchscreen to directly manipulate document layout, eliminating the need for complex application menus and tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users want to rearrange and resize content blocks in electronic documents, then the document layout flexibility is improved, but the number of commands and manipulations required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger gesture mechanism serves multiple layout editing functions simultaneously. The same touch interface is used for selecting items, creating spaces, reducing spaces, and repositioning blocks, making the interaction system universal for all layout manipulation tasks rather than requiring separate commands for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger gesture acts as an intermediary between the user and the document layout system. By placing fingers on the touchscreen at specific positions, the user indirectly controls the creation and manipulation of spaces between document items, with the system translating touch positions into meaningful layout adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If traditional touch interfaces are used for space management, then the interface simplicity is maintained, but the space creation and control capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying a space line that indicates the current position and extent of created spaces. This feedback mechanism allows users to see the effect of their finger gestures in real-time, enabling precise control over space creation and adjustment while maintaining interface simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The document layout is segmented into discrete items and spaces between them. By treating the space between items as a separate controllable entity, the system enables independent manipulation of spacing without affecting the items themselves, allowing precise layout control through finger gesture positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to methods and devices for managing document layout of an electronic document. In a particular embodiment, a method implemented by a computing devices comprises: displaying in an electronic document a block containing at least one item; in response to a first finger gesture of two or more fingers defining at least two selection points, determining a space line specifying an initial position from which a space is to be managed in the electronic document; in response to a second finger gesture of two or more fingers defining a movement of the selected points along a first orientation, monitoring a current position of the space line moving over time; and performing a space management based on the current position of the space line along the first orientation, comprising creating and/or reducing a space in the electronic document.