Mathematical Expression Character Selection Using Type Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mathematical expression input methods using touch panels or mice struggle with selecting appropriate ranges of characters due to finger size and operation limitations, especially for complex expressions, leading to cumbersome adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method that determines the type of selected character and identifies associated characters to set a selection range, allowing users to easily select appropriate ranges through tapping, double tapping, or drawing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parameters are selected by touch input on a touch panel, then the system can accept user input for mathematical expression parameter setting, but users cannot accurately select the appropriate range of characters due to finger size and touch manner limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mathematical expression into individual character elements that can be independently identified and selected. By determining the type of each character and identifying associated characters, the system breaks down the complex selection task into manageable discrete units, allowing precise character range selection even with touch input limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the touch input and the character selection. The system uses character type determination and association identification as intermediate steps to translate imprecise touch gestures into accurate character range selections, mediating between the user's touch manner and the desired selection precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually adjust selection range by draw gesture operation, then they can attempt to select appropriate character ranges, but the operation becomes highly difficult for long and complex mathematical expressions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the system to automatically determine character types and identify associated characters based on the selected character. Instead of requiring users to manually adjust selection ranges through complex draw gestures, the system autonomously performs the character association analysis and range determination, significantly reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing character type classifications and association rules before the selection process. The system determines character types and identifies associations in advance, so when a user selects a character, the appropriate range is already prepared and can be quickly applied without requiring complex manual adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports both touch and mouse operations for character range selection, then it can accommodate different input methods, but the selection process remains complicated for both methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified character selection mechanism that works across different input methods. The core functionality of determining character types and identifying associations is input-method-agnostic, allowing the same sophisticated selection logic to serve both touch and mouse operations, simplifying the process for both users and the system
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method includes determining a type of a selected character, among a plurality of characters included in a displayed mathematical expression, that is selection-operated by a user; identifying, based on the determined type of the selected character, an associated character, among the plurality of characters, that is associated with the character that is selection-operated; and setting, a range including the selected character and the associated character among the plurality of characters as a selection range of the character selected by the user.