GUI Input Invalidation for Precision Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
User input on graphical user interfaces, especially on small devices, is often imprecise due to the inability of existing systems to accurately predict user intentions, leading to repetitive mistakes and non-intuitive interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that invalidate and reset user actions on graphical user interfaces, allowing for reselection of items and actions, excluding non-selectable options, to prevent repetitive mistakes and enhance user interaction by providing timely feedback and intuitive interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the graphical user interface provides many selectable items to increase functionality, then the interface becomes more versatile, but user input precision deteriorates due to difficulty in accurately selecting intended items
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by invalidating previously selected items after a new selection is made. When a user selects an item and then makes another selection, the first item is automatically invalidated (marked as non-selectable), preventing repetitive mistakes and guiding the user toward the intended selection in dense interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the system allows reselection of items to correct user mistakes, then ease of operation improves, but repetitive errors increase due to lack of prevention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively invalidating the first selected item before the user can mistakenly select it again. This preventive measure stops repetitive errors before they occur, while still allowing users to correct genuine mistakes by selecting different items.
3Ease of operation
If the interface provides immediate feedback on user actions to improve responsiveness, then user interaction quality improves, but system complexity increases due to validation and invalidation logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically invalidating the first item immediately when a new selection is detected. This immediate feedback mechanism provides responsive interaction without requiring complex validation logic, as the invalidation occurs as a direct consequence of the new selection event.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a graphical user interface of an electronic device is disclosed. The graphical user interface has a plurality of selectable items for input to the electronic device. The method comprises receiving (100) a first user input related to the graphical user interface causing a first selection (102) of a first item and a first action involving the selected item; invalidating (105) the first action and setting (108) the first item or the first action as non-selectable; receiving (110) a further user input related to the graphical user interface; determining (112) a second selection of an item and an action involving the selected item excluding non-selectable items and actions; and executing (114) the action related to the second selection. An apparatus (200) comprising a graphical user interface (201) with an input device (202) and a display (203) arranged to view a plurality of selectable input items is also disclosed, wherein a processor (204) is arranged to control the graphical user interface (201). A computer program is also disclosed.