Dynamic Touch Control Placement on Portable Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in user input and output due to limited space, as traditional control locations may not be comfortable for all users, especially those with smaller hands or those operating with one hand, and existing solutions do not provide sufficient flexibility in control placement.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display at a location not associated with a control, displaying a plurality of controls, identifying a selected control, and allowing it to be moved and activated at any desired location on the display, enabling users to customize control placement based on their preferences and operational needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If controls are placed in traditional fixed locations on the touch-sensitive display, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users with smaller hands or one-handed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control placement where controls are no longer fixed in predetermined locations but are instead positioned dynamically based on user interaction. When a user touches an empty area of the display, a control is generated and positioned at that location, allowing the interface to adapt its structure in real-time based on operational needs rather than maintaining a static control layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the touch-sensitive display to have different functions. Empty areas of the display that traditionally served only as background can now be transformed into functional control areas when touched, creating localized interactive zones that improve accessibility without requiring complex global restructuring of the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the touch-sensitive display size is decreased to improve portability, then the volume and weight of the device are reduced, but the area available for user input and output is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of deviceVSAvoidarea for user input and output
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display area universal by enabling any region of the touch-sensitive display to serve as a control location. Instead of dedicating specific fixed areas for controls, the entire display surface becomes potentially functional, maximizing the utilization of limited screen real estate on compact devices and effectively increasing the input area without physically enlarging the device.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional fixed grid of controls to a more flexible spatial arrangement where controls can be positioned anywhere on the display plane. This dimensional freedom allows optimal placement of controls based on user needs rather than rigid positional constraints, effectively expanding the functional area within the same physical display boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If controls are allowed to be placed at any location on the display, then the adaptability and versatility of the device are improved, but the complexity of control and measurement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the system to automatically generate and position controls based on user input without requiring complex pre-programming or manual configuration. When a user touches an empty area, the system autonomously creates a control at that location, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex setup procedures or for developers to program numerous predefined control positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-enabling the capability for controls to be generated anywhere on the display, rather than requiring complex runtime decisions about control placement. The system is pre-configured to accept user input at any location and automatically translate it into appropriate control generation, simplifying the overall control architecture despite the increased versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2431849B1Location of a touch-sensitive control method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2431849B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2431849B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2431849B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method includes detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display at a location not associated with a control, displaying, in association with the location, a displayed control, and activating the displayed control.