Keyboard Resizing for Web Browser Interface Items

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional web browser-based applications are inaccessible to users with disabilities, as they require mouse input for resizing items, excluding visually impaired individuals who cannot use a mouse.

Innovation Solution

Processing keyboard input to enable resizing of items in a web browser-based application, allowing users to resize items using keyboard navigation and providing auditory feedback through screen readers, making the interface more accessible to visually impaired users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mouse input is required for resizing items, then precise control and ease of operation are improved, but accessibility for users with disabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements keyboard input handling that enables users with disabilities to resize items in the user interface, making the system accessible to multiple types of users (both able-bodied and disabled) through multiple input methods (mouse and keyboard), thereby achieving universality and multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If keyboard input is implemented for resizing, then accessibility for users with disabilities is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical mouse input system with a keyboard input system for resizing operations. The keyboard, which is already present in the system for text input, is repurposed to handle resizing functions through key press events, replacing the need for mouse-based mechanical interaction and thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If auditory feedback is provided through screen readers, then accessibility for visually impaired users is improved, but information loss is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidinformation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements auditory feedback through screen readers that announce the current size of items and confirm resizing actions to visually impaired users. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about the state changes, ensuring that users receive complete information about resizing operations without any loss of information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10572031B2Processing keyboard input to cause re-sizing of items in a user interface of a web browser-based application

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 SALESFORCE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for causing re-sizing 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. A first edge of a first item can be caused to be transformed to a re-configurable state. Second keyboard input from the user interacting with the first item can be processed. A size of the first item can be caused to be changed by causing the first edge to move from a first relative position to a second relative position with respect to the other items displayed in the user interface.