Handheld Interface Adaptation for Left-Right Handed User Preference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional human-computer interfaces, such as touchpad devices, do not allow users to configure the device to suit their individual hand preferences, leading to inefficiencies in operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine a user's left-handed or right-handed preference by analyzing hand motions and adjust graphical objects on a handheld device's display accordingly, optimizing the user interface for easier operation by rotating graphical objects and rearranging elements to align with the user's hand motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional touchpad device operates according to a multi-touch algorithm to detect user's hand gestures, then the device can detect various hand gestures, but the device does not allow the user to configure the device to suit different preferences of different hands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects whether the user is left-handed or right-handed by analyzing touch patterns and hand gestures, then automatically configures the graphical interface accordingly without requiring manual user input. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by providing adaptive configuration (improving parameter 35) while avoiding the complexity of manual setup interfaces (maintaining parameter 36).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of user handedness during initial device setup or first use, analyzing touch patterns before the user needs to configure the interface. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-configure the graphical interface appropriately, providing adaptability (parameter 35) without requiring the user to navigate complex configuration menus (parameter 36).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the graphical object is adjusted according to user preference setting, then the ease of operation is improved for left-handed or right-handed users, but the device must first determine the preference setting which requires additional processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational easeVSAvoiddetection and adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors and analyzes user touch patterns and hand gestures as feedback to determine handedness preference. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust the graphical interface orientation and element positioning, improving ease of operation (parameter 33) through intelligent analysis rather than complex manual detection procedures (reducing parameter 36).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual configuration mechanisms with automated digital detection and adjustment. Instead of requiring users to manually configure interface settings through complex menus, the system uses software-based analysis of touch patterns to automatically determine preference and adjust the graphical object, improving ease of operation (parameter 33) while reducing operational complexity (parameter 36).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2796979B1Method and apparatus for adjusting a graphical object according to operator preference
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATION (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP2796979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2796979B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2796979B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method for adjusting a graphical object (114) according to operator preference is provided. The method includes: rendering a graphical object on a display screen (112) of a handheld device (100); determining a preference setting indicating one of a left-handed preference or a right-handed preference for operating the handheld device (100); and adjusting the graphical object (114) according to the preference setting.