Interface Scanning for Motor-Impaired User Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input devices, such as keyboards and touch screens, require fine motor skills, making it difficult for physically-impaired users to interact with computer interfaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A scanning technique that allows users to navigate and select elements within a user interface by highlighting them, enabling actions to be performed without requiring extensive movement, using various input devices like track pads, touch screens, and sensors to detect selections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional input devices (keyboards, mice, touch screens) are used, then users can interact with computing devices quickly and intuitively, but physically-impaired users cannot operate them due to lack of fine motor skills
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into discrete elements that can be individually highlighted and selected. Instead of requiring continuous motor control to move a cursor or finger across the screen, the interface segments navigation into discrete steps where each element is presented sequentially for selection, making it accessible to users with limited motor skills.
Solution Approach 2:
A scanning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the interface elements. The system automatically highlights and presents elements in sequence, mediating the interaction so that users don't need to physically navigate to each element but can simply select from the currently highlighted option.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scanning technique is used to enable physically-impaired users to navigate interfaces, then accessibility is improved, but interaction speed and efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning mechanism uses periodic highlighting of interface elements at predetermined intervals. This rhythmic, predictable presentation allows users to anticipate when the next element will be highlighted and prepare their selection, maintaining a steady interaction pace that balances accessibility with efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the navigation and highlighting functions without requiring user intervention to move between elements. The interface serves itself by automatically presenting options in sequence, freeing the user to simply make selections rather than perform navigation actions, thereby improving interaction speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for scanning a user interface are disclosed. One process can include scanning multiple elements within a user interface by highlighting the elements. The process can further include receiving a selection while one of the elements is highlighted and performing an action on the element that was highlighted when the selection was received. The action can include scanning the contents of the selected element or performing an action associated with the selected element. The process can be used to navigate an array of application icons, a menu of options, a standard desktop or laptop operating system interface, or the like. The process can also be used to perform gestures on a touch-sensitive device or mouse and track pad gestures (e.g., flick, tap, or freehand gestures).