Distortion Viewing Focal Dip Magnification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for focus targeting in distortion viewing, such as speed-dependent auto zoom and speed coupled flattening, rely on cursor speed or spatial discontinuities, which can be jarring and unsuitable for control applications requiring continuous and position-dependent interactions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a magnification function with a focal dip, combined with double lensing, where a separate magnification function is applied to the background and foreground objects, allowing for continuous and position-dependent focus targeting by demagnifying the image around the focal point and scaling objects based on available space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnification is increased to show detailed focus area, then detail visibility is improved, but control difficulty increases and focus targeting becomes harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional magnification approach by introducing a focal dip that demagnifies the immediate focal point while magnifying the surrounding context area. This counterintuitive approach makes the focal point smaller and easier to target precisely, while the surrounding area provides contextual visibility. The inversion resolves the contradiction by making the point of maximum detail (focal point) easier to control rather than harder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different magnification qualities to different spatial regions: the focal point area experiences demagnification (magnification < 1) while the immediate surrounding context experiences magnification (magnification > 1). This local differentiation allows the system to provide both precise focal targeting and contextual visibility simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between detail visibility and control difficulty.
2Ease of operation
If continuous position-dependent control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but existing methods using speed or discontinuities become unsuitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from cursor speed to cursor position as the basis for magnification control. The magnification function is defined as a continuous function of position rather than speed, enabling smooth, jitter-free transitions as the cursor moves. This parameter change makes the system adaptable to continuous control inputs while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a continuous magnification function as an intermediary between cursor position and visual display. This intermediary smoothly transforms position changes into magnification changes, eliminating the need for discrete speed thresholds or discontinuous adjustments. The intermediary function enables continuous control while maintaining versatility across different interaction scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If maximum magnification is placed at the point of interest, then detail visibility is improved, but focus stabilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing minimum magnification (demagnification) at the focal point rather than maximum magnification. This makes the focal point visually smaller and more stable, easier to stabilize and select interactively. The surrounding context area receives the magnification, providing detail visibility without the instability associated with maximum magnification at the focus point.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method for human-computer interaction (HCl) on a graphical user interface (GUI). The method includes the steps of displaying a plurality of objects positioned in relation to each other and in relation to the display window; determining user input; distorting at least one of the position relations according to a magnification function with a focal dip, where the focal position of the magnification function is controllable by the user input; and updating the distortion whenever the relevant user input changes.