Edge Gesture Interface Selection Without Display Clutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for selecting a user interface not currently exposed on a display are often confusing, inefficiently use display space, and lack universality across devices, leading to a poor user experience due to reliance on onscreen controls or hardware buttons that require users to remember specific inputs or orientations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of edge gestures that allow users to easily select an alternate user interface by initiating a swipe gesture from the edge of the display, which is easy to remember and use, without occupying valuable display real estate or requiring hardware interaction, thus enabling seamless transitions between interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If onscreen controls are used to select user interfaces, then selection capability is provided, but valuable display space is consumed and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface selection function from the main display area by implementing a gesture recognition system that operates in the absence of visible controls. The selection capability is removed from the visual domain and transferred to the interaction domain through edge-based gestures, eliminating the need for onscreen controls while preserving full display real estate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition layer that mediates between user input and interface selection. Instead of direct visual controls, the system uses edge gesture detection as an intermediary mechanism to trigger interface selections, allowing users to select interfaces through intuitive swipe gestures from display edges without occupying screen space.
2Ease of operation
If hardware buttons or hot keys are used for interface selection, then selection capability is provided, but device complexity increases and universality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal edge gesture system that can be applied across different device types and operating systems. The gesture-based interface selection mechanism is device-agnostic, working consistently across smartphones, tablets, and computers regardless of hardware variations. This single unified approach replaces multiple device-specific hardware buttons and hot key combinations, providing universal adaptability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If hardware buttons are used for interface selection, then selection capability is provided, but users must remember specific key combinations increasing cognitive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the interface selection system to serve itself through intuitive gesture patterns that are inherently memorable. The edge-based swipe gestures are designed to be self-explanatory and consistent with natural interaction patterns, eliminating the need for users to memorize arbitrary key combinations. The system provides self-service by making the interaction model obvious and consistent across all interfaces.
4Ease of operation
If onscreen controls are displayed for interface selection, then selection capability is provided, but visual clutter increases reducing user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the selection functionality from the visual display domain and relocates it to the gesture interaction domain. By removing onscreen controls entirely and replacing them with edge-based gesture recognition, the system eliminates visual clutter while maintaining full interface selection capability. The selection mechanism operates invisibly through gesture detection rather than visible controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling an edge gesture. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through an edge gesture that is easy-to-use and remember.