Gesture-Based Content Selection for List Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for selecting multiple content items in computing devices are prone to errors and are not user-friendly, especially when dealing with large lists, as they require individual selection of each item, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A gesture-based method that allows users to select multiple content items by performing a first portion of a gesture orthogonal to the list direction, followed by a second portion that disables scrolling and allows selection of additional items, enabling multiple items to be selected with a single motion, and further allows parameter value changes through multi-input gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual selection method (checkbox or tapping) is used for each content item, then selection accuracy is maintained, but operation time and complexity increase significantly when selecting multiple items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual selection actions into a single continuous gesture operation. By merging the selection of multiple content items into one drag gesture, the system eliminates the need for repeated individual selections, thereby significantly reducing operation time and improving ease of selecting multiple items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension for selection by enabling diagonal dragging across the list. Instead of conventional horizontal or vertical scrolling, the gesture operates in a diagonal dimension that simultaneously captures multiple content items along the drag path, revolutionizing the selection approach.
2Measurement precision
If scrolling is enabled during selection, then list navigation is flexible, but selection precision deteriorates due to accidental scrolling instead of selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the list behavior based on gesture detection. When a selection gesture is initiated, the system transitions from scrollable mode to fixed mode, preventing accidental scrolling. This dynamic state change ensures selection precision while maintaining navigation flexibility when not in selection mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary gesture recognition layer that mediates between user input and list response. By detecting the intent behind the gesture (selection versus scrolling) before executing the action, the system prevents misinterpretation of user input, thereby improving selection precision without sacrificing navigation flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If multiple parameters need to be changed relative to another content item, then individual adjustment is accurate, but operation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple parameter adjustment operations into a single gesture-based manipulation. By combining the selection and parameter modification into one continuous action, the system simplifies the user interface complexity while maintaining accurate parameter adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary selection of multiple content items before executing parameter adjustments. This preliminary action groups the target items, allowing subsequent parameter changes to be applied efficiently to all selected items simultaneously, reducing overall operation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selecting multiple content items in a list of content items is presented. In an embodiment, the method first displays a list of content items along the first direction on a display of the computing device. Then, the method detects a first portion of gesture for selecting a first content item in the list of content items. While the first content item is selected, the method detects a trigger for a second portion of the gesture, and then selects at least one second content item based on the second portion of the gesture. The trigger for the second portion of the gesture is a scroll gesture, and while the first content item is selected the scrolling of the list is disabled. A method for manipulating multiple content items in a list of content items is also presented.