Dynamic UI Element Sizing via Proximity Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch interfaces in consumer devices, such as phones and tablets, pose challenges for users wearing gloves, as the large size of gloved or ungloved fingertips makes it difficult to accurately select icons without inadvertently touching adjacent ones, leading to a need for improved touch interface solutions that balance icon size with display space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing proximity sensing technology to dynamically adjust the size and visibility of user interface elements based on the presence and proximity of an input device, such as a hand or stylus, allowing for adaptive and efficient display of UI elements only when needed, thereby optimizing screen space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If icon size is made large to enable accurate touch selection, then ease of operation is improved, but display space for content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The icon size is made dynamic rather than static. Icons automatically enlarge when a user's hand approaches the display (proximity detected within threshold distance) and return to normal size when the hand moves away. This allows icons to be large during interaction for ease of touch selection, while maintaining small size at other times to preserve display space.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of icon size changes based on proximity detection. When proximity sensor detects hand within threshold distance, icon size parameter increases; when hand moves beyond threshold, icon size parameter decreases. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting icon size to operational needs.
2Reliability
If icon size is made large to avoid inadvertently touching adjacent icons, then reliability of selection is improved, but display space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Icon size dynamically adapts to user proximity. When hand approaches, icons enlarge to improve selection reliability and prevent accidental touches. When hand recedes, icons shrink to maximize display space. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve high reliability only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary enlargement of icons before the user actually touches them. By detecting hand proximity in advance and pre-enlarging icons, the system ensures selection reliability is established before the critical touch action occurs, preventing inadvertent selections.
3Ease of operation
If UI elements are displayed continuously, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of display space for content is increased
Solution Approach 1:
UI element visibility is dynamic. Elements are hidden when no hand is detected within threshold distance, and automatically appear when hand approaches. This ensures UI elements are accessible only when needed, minimizing display space loss while maintaining ease of operation during interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically checks proximity and adjusts UI element visibility accordingly. UI elements are displayed during proximity periods when interaction is needed, and hidden during non-proximity periods to preserve display space for content.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques for adaptively displaying graphic elements (e.g., user interface elements) on a display of a device based on sensing proximity of an input device (e.g., a hand or fingertip of a user, a stylus, etc.) to the display of the device. For example, in response to an input device being detected to be less than a threshold distance from the display of the device, one or more graphic elements are presented or dynamically resized on the display. However, in response to no input device being detected to be less than the threshold distance from the display, the one or more graphic elements are not presented or are maintained in their current size on the display.