Ellipsoidal Gesture Interface for Application Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
As computing devices become smaller and lighter, reducing the space for mechanical keys, virtual keys on touchscreens are used to perform functions, but they can be inconvenient as they are not always present, leading to challenges in efficiently ending applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where users can end applications by tracing a circular or ellipsoidal shape on a touchscreen, with the direction and length of the path determining the action, such as terminating or minimizing the application, and using sensory indicators to inform the user of the progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If virtual keys are used to replace mechanical keys, then display area is increased, but ease of operation deteriorates due to keys not always being present
Solution Approach 1:
The circular gesture interface serves multiple functions: ending applications, minimizing applications, and providing visual feedback, replacing the need for multiple physical keys while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive gesture-based control
2Weight of moving object
If virtual keys are used to replace mechanical keys, then device portability is improved, but device complexity increases due to software-based key management
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and interprets circular gesture patterns, determining direction and rotation angle without requiring additional software layers or complex key management systems, thereby maintaining simplicity despite the virtual interface
3Ease of operation
If circular gesture recognition is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by contorting the displayed image in response to circular gestures, allowing users to see the effect of their input in real-time, which simplifies the detection and measurement process by making the system response observable and predictable
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices provide an efficient user interface for initiating a function by detecting an ellipsoidal continuous touch path on a touch surface of a computing device. In an embodiment the initiated function may end an application. A user may initiate the function operation by tracing an ellipsoidal shape (e.g., a circle) a touchscreen or touchpad. A display image may be contorted to inform the user about the progress towards accomplishing the function. The function operation of contorting the display image may begin at a minimum measure of the traced path and complete at a maximum measure of the traced path. In an embodiment, terminating an application and returning to the home display may be achieved in response to a clockwise path trace and minimizing of an application and returning to home display may be achieved in response to a counterclockwise path trace, or vice versa.