Multi-point Interface for Graphical Modeling Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional input devices, such as keyboards, mice, and single-point touch screens, are inadequate for intuitive interaction with graphical models, leading to inefficiencies and potential repetitive stress injuries due to limited usability and requiring significant training.

Innovation Solution

A multi-point interface that senses the location and movement of multiple user inputs to adjust graphical models, enabling intuitive multi-hand and multi-finger interactions, such as drag and drop, resizing, and hierarchical operations, using technologies like frustrated total internal reflection or electrocapacitive sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional input devices (keyboard, mouse, single-point touch screen) are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but user interaction efficiency and intuitiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinput device capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input interface is segmented into multiple independent sensing points distributed across the display surface. Each point can detect contact and movement independently, allowing simultaneous multi-point interactions. This segmentation enables complex graphical modeling operations to be performed through simple finger movements at different locations, improving ease of operation without requiring a single complex device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The input interface transitions from a single-point interaction model to a multi-dimensional surface interaction model. By distributing sensing points across the two-dimensional display area and enabling simultaneous detection at multiple points, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the interaction paradigm. This allows users to perform drag-and-drop, resizing, and other graphical operations more intuitively by naturally moving fingers across different regions of the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If conventional single-point input devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to perform multiple simultaneous operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous operation capabilityVSAvoidinput registration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-point interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects contact points, tracks movement vectors, identifies gesture patterns, and registers simultaneous operations. A single interface structure performs what would traditionally require multiple separate input devices, enabling users to perform drag-and-drop, resizing, and other graphical operations more intuitively by naturally moving fingers across different regions of the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional input devices are used, then training requirements are reduced, but interaction intuitiveness for graphical models deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction intuitivenessVSAvoidtraining time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-point interface leverages the user's natural finger movements and spatial awareness to perform graphical modeling operations. The system automatically interprets contact points and movement vectors without requiring users to learn specialized input techniques. Users interact with graphical models using intuitive gestures such as dragging, pinching, and spreading, which the system translates into appropriate operations, eliminating the need for extensive training while maintaining high interaction intuitiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user interaction with graphical models by allowing simultaneous registration of multiple inputs, reducing the need for training and minimizing the risk of repetitive stress injuries through intuitive and efficient manipulation of graphical models.

Implementation Method 1

using technologies like frustrated total internal reflection or electrocapacitive sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrustrated total internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

using technologies like frustrated total internal reflection or electrocapacitive sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

A movement of the portion of the user in relation to the displayed graphical model and the sensed location of the portion of the user is sensed to obtain a sensed movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8525813B1Multi-point interface for a graphical modeling environment

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 MATHWORKS INC

AI summary

A graphical model is displayed. A location of a portion of a user in relation to the displayed graphical model is sensed to obtain a sensed location of the portion of the user. A movement of the portion of the user in relation to the displayed graphical model and the sensed location of the portion of the user is sensed to obtain a sensed movement. The displayed graphical model is adjusted in response to the sensed movement of the portion of the user to obtain a displayed adjusted graphical model.