Dynamic UI Control Repositioning via Inductive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased screen size of mobile electronic devices makes it difficult for users with average hand size to access controls located away from the active digit, requiring hand position shifts or overextension, leading to user inconvenience and reduced accessibility.
Innovation Solution
The integration of inductive sensors and IMU sensors allows for context-based modification of the user interface by applying a gravity parameter to onscreen elements, enabling interaction with non-screen device portions and adjusting the position of controls based on user pressure and location, allowing for touchless or assisted interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If screen size is increased to provide more functionality, then available screen area increases, but controls become unreachable for users with average hand size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the user interface elements movable rather than fixed. The system dynamically repositions controls on the screen based on the detected location of the user's active digit, allowing the interface to adapt its layout in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining large screen area while ensuring controls are always within reachable distance of the user's finger or thumb.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of UI elements based on sensor input. By detecting the location of the active digit and recalculating the positions of controls relative to that point, the system transforms the static parameter-based interface into a dynamic one where control locations are continuously adjusted to maintain accessibility.
2Area of stationary object
If virtual input keys are used instead of hardware keys, then screen area is maximized, but user reachability to controls is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the virtual interface dynamic by continuously repositioning controls based on the user's active digit location. This ensures that regardless of how large the screen is, controls remain within a reasonable reach distance from the user's finger or thumb, resolving the contradiction between maximizing screen area and maintaining reachable control distance.
3Ease of operation
If hand position is shifted to reach distant controls, then all controls become accessible, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting the user's active digit location and repositioning controls accordingly, without requiring the user to manually adjust their hand position. The interface serves itself by adapting to the user's natural hand placement, eliminating the need for hand repositioning while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of UI elements based on detected hand position, automatically adjusting the interface layout to match the user's natural grip and finger placement. This eliminates the need for users to shift their hand position while maintaining full accessibility to all controls.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances user accessibility by bringing controls within reach without requiring hand repositioning or overextension, improving usability and enabling interactions without screen touch, thus providing a more convenient and accessible user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inductive sensors arranged in an array along a perimeter of the device
Implementation Method 2
The inductive capabilities of eth the device can be supplemented by IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensors to provide a robust method of determining and tracking the strength and location of pressure points
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of facilitating user interaction with a mobile electronic communication device is provided, for devices having a touch sensitive screen and a housing surface. The described techniques entail displaying visual matter on the touch sensitive screen, detecting a touch on the housing surface, the detected touch having a touch location and touch pressure, and modifying the appearance of the visual matter on the touch sensitive screen based on the touch location and touch pressure.