Keyboard-Driven Item Movement in Web Browser Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional web browser-based applications are inaccessible to users with disabilities, as they require mouse-based interactions for moving items within the user interface, excluding visually impaired individuals who cannot use a mouse.

Innovation Solution

The system processes keyboard input to enable users to move items in a web browser-based application's user interface, allowing users to reposition items using keyboard navigation and providing auditory feedback to assist sight-impaired users, using a combination of input generators, capturers, routers, and screen readers to facilitate keyboard-driven interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mouse-based interactions are used for moving items in the user interface, then the application maintains conventional operation methods, but users with disabilities (visually impaired individuals) cannot access the application

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility to users with disabilitiesVSAvoidMouse-based interaction requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the same item movement functionality to be accessed through multiple input methods (mouse and keyboard), making the application universally accessible to different user groups including those with disabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates keyboard input into item movement commands, similar to how mouse movements are translated, thereby bridging the gap between keyboard users and the application's item manipulation features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If keyboard input processing is added to enable accessibility, then users with disabilities can access the application, but the system complexity increases with additional components (input capturers, routers, screen readers)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveKeyboard-based access for visually impaired usersVSAvoidSystem architecture with multiple components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces intermediary components (input capturers, routers, screen readers) that translate keyboard input into application commands, bridging the gap between keyboard users and the application's item manipulation features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system substitutes the mechanical mouse-based interaction model with a keyboard-driven alternative, replacing physical pointing device operations with keyboard input processing and auditory feedback mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10642474B2Processing keyboard input to cause movement of items in a user interface of a web browser-based application

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 SALESFORCE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for causing movement of items in a user interface of a web browser-based application. A bounding window of a web browser comprising a presentation of items can be caused to be displayed in a user interface on a display of a device. First keyboard input from a user interacting with a first item can be processed. The first item can be caused to be transformed to a moveable state. Second keyboard input from the user interacting with the first item can be processed. The first item can be caused to change locations as displayed in the user interface from the first location to a second location. The second location can be different from the first location.