Mobile Terminal Menu Selection via Directional Dragging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication terminals face difficulties in menu selection due to numerous options and small touch screen displays, leading to accidental selection of nearby menu options.
Innovation Solution
A method involving selecting a main menu on a touch device, displaying sub-menus, sensing the direction of a dragging operation, and executing the corresponding sub-menu or item in the sensed direction, allowing for precise selection without direct contact, and incorporating a sound icon control for sound output management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple menu options are displayed on a small touch screen, then more functions are accessible, but the risk of accidental selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to menu selection by requiring a press-and-hold action rather than a simple tap. This extends the selection process across time, allowing the system to distinguish between intentional selections (held long enough) and accidental touches (released too quickly), thereby resolving the contradiction between displaying many options and preventing accidental selections
2Measurement precision
If traditional input unit manipulation is required for menu selection, then selection precision can be maintained, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the confirmation step from the spatial navigation process. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple menu levels and sub-menus with complex input unit manipulation, the system allows direct selection of any menu item followed by a press-and-hold confirmation action. This separates the selection act from the confirmation act, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining precision
3Area of stationary object
If sub-menu options are displayed in a narrow portion of the touch screen, then screen real estate is optimized, but selection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the menu system to adapt to user intent through the press-and-hold interaction. When a user presses and holds on a menu option, the system automatically confirms the selection without requiring additional navigation or confirmation steps. This self-service approach allows compact menu layouts to remain usable, as the system handles the confirmation logic based on the temporal characteristics of the user's input rather than requiring more screen space
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal, a touch screen display configured to display a plurality of independent first objects and a controller configured to receive a selection signal indicating a touching of one of the first objects, control the touch screen display to distinctly display a second independent object indicating a drop point where the touched first object can be dropped and receive a dragging signal indicating the touched first object is being touched, dragged and dropped toward the second object. The mobile terminal stops displaying other non-selected first objects and executes a function indicated by the touched and dragged first object when the first object is dropped at the drop point. Further, the second object is displayed separately and independently from the first objects.