Gesture-Based Database Actions via Touchscreen Input

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern computer systems relying on traditional input devices for complex operations, such as CRM and big data applications, can be cumbersome and less intuitive for users, leading to frustration and a desire for more intuitive gestural inputs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that recognizes and responds to gestures based on their spatial characteristics and context within a graphical user interface, allowing database actions to be performed by identifying geometric and directional characteristics of gestures and associating them with specific database actions through gesture rules tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional input devices (keyboard, button) are used for complex database operations, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and user frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical input devices (keyboard, buttons, mice) with a touchscreen display that directly receives tactile inputs from users. This substitution eliminates the need for separate physical input interfaces while enabling more intuitive and diverse interaction methods through direct touch gestures on the display surface itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the visual output display and the input interface for complex database operations. The same surface that displays information also captures various touch gestures (taps, swipes, pinches) to perform create, read, update, and delete operations on database records, eliminating the need for dedicated input devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If tactile or gestural inputs are implemented for complex database operations, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic gesture recognition that adapts to different user interactions. The touchscreen controller detects and interprets various touch patterns (single tap, double tap, long press, swipe directions, pinch gestures) and dynamically maps them to appropriate database operations based on the current context and selected records, allowing flexible operation without complex physical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software layer that acts as an intermediary between the simple tactile touch inputs and the complex database operations. This software layer translates basic touch gestures into meaningful commands (select record, delete record, create record, navigate) based on the current application state, shielding users from system complexity while enabling powerful functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional input interface devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to modern user expectations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the visual output display and the input interface for complex database operations. The same surface that displays information also captures various touch gestures (taps, swipes, pinches) to perform create, read, update, and delete operations on database records, eliminating the need for dedicated input devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic gesture recognition that adapts to different user interactions. The touchscreen controller detects and interprets various touch patterns (single tap, double tap, long press, swipe directions, pinch gestures) and dynamically maps them to appropriate database operations based on the current context and selected records, allowing flexible operation without complex physical controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11227005B2Gesture-based database actions

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 SALESFORCE INC

AI summary

Computing systems and related methods are provided for performing database actions responsive to input gestures made by a user. One exemplary method involves a server identifying a gesture on a graphical user interface display on a client device, identifying a subset of displayed content on the graphical user interface display corresponding to the gesture, determining a database action based on at least one of characteristics associated with the gesture and the gestured content, performing the database action with respect to an object in a database, and updating the gestured content on the graphical user interface display to reflect performance of the database action.