Multi-touch Gesture Object Transfer via Spatial Pinch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-touch devices lack the capability to accurately transfer objects between each other, particularly in specifying a target destination for the transfer.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a transceiver and user interface with logic that recognizes predefined gestures to determine objects for transfer, associate user data with the gestures, and communicate with destination devices to facilitate the transfer process, using techniques like fingerprint scanning to verify user identity and authenticate the transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multi-touch devices use automatic connection at edge of touchscreen for object transfer, then the transfer process is simplified, but the ability to accurately specify target destination is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject transfer processVSAvoidtarget destination specification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the transfer gesture from a 2D touchscreen surface to a 3D spatial motion. The user pinches an object on the source device and physically moves their fingers through space toward the destination device, creating a spatial trajectory that defines the transfer path and target. This dimensional extension allows precise destination specification while maintaining gesture-based simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication channel between source and destination devices. The pinch gesture initiates a wireless broadcast that allows the destination device to request and receive the object without requiring direct physical contact or traditional cable connection, enabling accurate cross-device transfer specification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multi-touch devices implement gesture-based transfer, then user interaction becomes more intuitive, but the capability to accurately transfer objects between devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidobject transfer capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the destination device responds to the source device's broadcast by sending a request signal. The source device then confirms the transfer by sending the object data back. This bidirectional feedback loop ensures reliable object transfer while maintaining the intuitive pinch gesture interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by having the source device broadcast an advertisement message containing object information before the actual transfer. The destination device can then prepare and send a request in advance, ensuring the transfer process is reliable and coordinated before the actual data transmission occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the system broadcasts object selection to all nearby devices, then destination selection is simplified, but user data security and authentication may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestination selectionVSAvoiduser authentication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by including user identification data specifically in the broadcast message sent to potential destination devices. Each device can locally evaluate whether it matches the intended destination based on its own user data, enabling secure and specific destination selection without compromising authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the system requires user data matching between source and destination, then transfer security is improved, but the transfer process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer securityVSAvoidtransfer process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service authentication where each device independently evaluates its own user data against the broadcast information to determine if it is the intended destination. The destination device autonomously decides whether to send a request based on its own credentials, eliminating the need for complex centralized authentication protocols and simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2526474B1Using a gesture to transfer an object across multiple multi-touch devices
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2526474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2526474B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP2526474B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

In an example embodiment, predefined gestures are used to provide an intuitive way to transfer objects between multi-touch devices. A first gesture, such as a pinching motion is used to select an object to transfer from a source device. A second gesture, such as a de-pinching gesture, is used to designate a destination for the object on a second device. Data associated with the initiator of the transfer, such as data representative of a fingerprint scan may be employed to match the source device with the destination device.