Dynamic GUI Layout Adjustment via Tactile Contact Pattern Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on touch screen devices are not adaptable to individual users' hand sizes and grip patterns, leading to hidden icons and unintended function executions when a user manipulates the device with one hand, causing user confusion.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize tactile sensors on the sides of the device to detect hand contact and pressure, generating contact pattern information to dynamically adjust the GUI layout based on the user's gripping hand, ensuring that icons and controls are accessible and avoid accidental activations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed GUI layout is used regardless of user's contact pattern, then the device structure remains simple, but icons may be hidden by the user's thumb causing unintended function execution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintended function executionVSAvoidGUI adaptation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GUI layout dynamically adjusts based on the user's contact pattern detected by tactile sensors. The control unit receives contact information from tactile sensors and changes the arrangement of icons and elements on the display screen accordingly, transforming the static GUI into a dynamic one that adapts to different user grips and hand positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses tactile sensors to detect the user's contact pattern on the device body and feeds this information back to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the GUI layout to ensure icons are not hidden by the user's thumb, creating a closed-loop system that responds to user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If tactile sensors are added to detect contact pattern, then GUI can be adapted to user's hand position, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGUI adaptation to different usersVSAvoidsensor system and control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile sensors serve multiple functions: detecting contact pattern, determining user grip style, and enabling GUI adaptation. This multi-functional approach allows the system to accommodate different users and hand positions without adding separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and adapts to the user's contact pattern without requiring manual input or configuration. The control unit autonomously processes tactile sensor data and adjusts the GUI layout accordingly, making the adaptation process transparent and user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the GUI is displayed in a fixed form, then the display control is simple, but some positions in the GUI may fail to note/input the user's contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact detection accuracyVSAvoiddynamic layout adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GUI layout is locally adjusted based on the specific contact pattern detected. Different regions of the display screen are repositioned according to where the user's thumb or fingers are contacting the device, ensuring that interactive elements are always accessible and not obscured by the user's hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2175344B1Method and apparatus for displaying graphical user interface depending on a user's contact pattern
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2175344B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2175344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2175344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display unit in an apparatus which may include a tactile sensor unit. When a contact by a user is detected at the tactile sensor unit, a control unit may receive a contact detection signal therefrom. Based on the contact detection signal, the control unit may determine a contact pattern and may then display the GUI corresponding to the contact pattern. The GUI may be displayed and modified depending on the location and pressure of contacts by a user's manipulating fingers. Therefore, a user can manipulate the apparatus without any inconvenience or accidental touches.