Handwriting-Based Table Editing on Display Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses for editing tables require complex menu operations, reducing operability as users need to repeatedly select menus to perform tasks like inserting, deleting, or moving rows or columns, which complicates the editing process.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus that allows users to edit tables by receiving handwritten input, recognizing handwritten data, and selecting table elements such as rows or columns directly on the screen, enabling operations like adding, deleting, moving, or dividing table elements through simple user gestures without the need for extensive menu interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex menu operations are used for table editing, then the system can provide comprehensive editing functions, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users need to repeatedly select menus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable editing functionsVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical menu navigation system with a handwriting recognition system. Users perform table editing operations by writing naturally on the screen, and the system recognizes these handwriting inputs to execute corresponding operations (selecting rows, columns, cells, or entire tables), eliminating the need for repeated menu selections and significantly improving operability while maintaining comprehensive editing functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The handwriting recognition system enables the interface to be self-interpretive. The system automatically identifies user intentions from handwriting gestures and executes the appropriate editing operations without requiring users to navigate through hierarchical menus or press multiple buttons, making the interaction more intuitive and efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple menu selections are required for table operations, then the system can maintain structured control, but the time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled operationVSAvoidtime for editing operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the multi-step mechanical menu selection process with direct handwriting-based operation. Users can select table elements or perform editing actions by writing once, and the handwriting recognition system translates this single gesture into the corresponding operation, dramatically reducing the time required for table editing while maintaining reliable controlled operation through accurate recognition algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11816327B2Display apparatus, method for displaying, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A display apparatus includes circuitry that displays, on a screen, a table including one or more table elements; receives handwritten data input on the screen by a user operation; and selects, based on the handwritten data, at least one table element of the table. The table element is a row or a column of the table.