Dynamic Operation Area for One-Hand Usability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for supporting operations on touch panel devices, such as smartphones, lack usability improvements, particularly for small devices used with one hand.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a control unit that displays an operation area of a predetermined shape in the edge area of a display screen and moves it to the center area upon a predefined operation, allowing for enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operation area is displayed in the edge area of the display screen, then the device can be operated with one hand on small devices, but the usability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-hand operation capabilityVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The operation area dynamically changes its position on the display screen based on user interaction. Initially displayed in the edge area for one-hand operation accessibility, it can be moved to the center area through a pinching operation, adapting to different usage scenarios and improving overall usability while maintaining one-hand operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the operation area is fixed in the edge area, then the interface structure is simple, but the operability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface structureVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operation area transitions from a fixed edge position to a movable element that can be repositioned to the center through pinching gestures. This dynamic behavior enhances operability by allowing flexible access to functions while maintaining relatively simple interface structure through standardized movement patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the operation area remains in the edge area, then the display layout is stable, but the user experience is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay layoutVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display layout maintains stability in its initial edge-area configuration for consistent one-hand operation. When users perform a pinching operation, the operation area dynamically moves to the center area, providing enhanced user experience for different interaction scenarios while returning to the stable edge position when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12333136B2Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Further improvement in usability is promoted. An information processing device (10) includes a control unit (140) that executes processing of displaying an operation area having a predetermined shape in an edge area of a display screen, and moving the operation area to a center area of the display screen by a first operation set in advance as a predetermined operation on the operation area.