Gesture Recognition for Intuitive Computing Interface Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional techniques for accessing functions on computing devices become inefficient as the number of functions increases, leading to user frustration and decreased utilization due to the complexity of navigating multiple levels and selections in menus.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of gesture recognition technology that allows users to interact with computing devices using touch and stylus inputs, enabling intuitive and efficient access to functions through various gestures such as activate, fill, level, jump, checkmark, strikethrough, erase, circle, prioritize, and application tray gestures, which are recognized by the device to perform specific actions without cluttering the interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional menu navigation techniques are used to access device functions, then the device can provide comprehensive functionality, but the user interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmenu structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monolithic menu structure into multiple contextual menus that are distributed throughout the user interface. Each menu item can have its own contextual menu accessible through gesture recognition, breaking down the complex navigation hierarchy into smaller, more manageable segments that reduce cognitive load and improve navigability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of interaction by implementing gesture-based navigation that operates parallel to traditional menu structures. Users can access functions through gestures performed directly on menu items or interface elements, adding a spatial and temporal dimension to navigation that bypasses the need to traverse deep menu hierarchies.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional functions are added to menus, then device versatility increases, but navigation time and user frustration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring contextual menus and gesture recognition patterns for common operations. When users perform gestures on interface elements, the system has already prepared the relevant contextual options, allowing immediate access to functions without requiring users to navigate through multiple menu levels to discover available options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gesture recognition technology as an intermediary between the user and the menu system. This intermediary layer translates simple gestures into contextual commands, mediating the interaction between user intent and device functions, thereby reducing the time and effort required to access additional functions while maintaining comprehensive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If traditional input techniques are used, then the interface remains simple, but access to functions becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidfunction access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the interface responsive and adaptive to user gestures. The system dynamically interprets gesture patterns and context to provide appropriate functions, allowing the interface to remain visually simple while enabling efficient access to numerous functions through dynamic gesture recognition and contextual menu generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2580643B1Jump, checkmark, and strikethrough gestures
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2580643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2580643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2580643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques involving gestures and other functionality are described. In one or more implementations, the techniques describe gestures that are usable to provide inputs to a computing device. A variety of different gestures are contemplated, including an activate gesture, a fill gesture, a level gesture, a jump gesture, a checkmark gesture, a strikethrough gesture, an erase gesture, a circle gesture, a prioritize gesture, and an application tray gesture.