Multi-Pointer Clipboard Segmentation for Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic blackboard systems, the cut-and-paste function is problematic when a different virtual object is cut with a second pointer before pasting a virtual object with a first pointer, as the data from the second object is stored in the clipboard buffer and accidentally pasted instead of the intended object.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a detection unit and a switching unit that allows separate or common cut-and-paste operations with multiple pointers, including the option to use a user's finger, enabling the mode to be switched between independent and shared pasting modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a shared clipboard buffer is used for multiple pointers, then the system is simpler and more unified, but data from the wrong pointer may be pasted accidentally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclipboard buffer structureVSAvoiddata pasting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clipboard buffer is segmented into separate storage areas, with each area associated with a specific pointer. When a pointer performs cut or copy operations, the data is stored in that pointer's dedicated area. This segmentation ensures that each pointer can only access and paste data from its own storage area, preventing accidental pasting of wrong data while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate clipboard buffers are allocated for each pointer, then data pasting accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata pasting accuracyVSAvoidclipboard buffer management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clipboard buffer is divided into multiple independent storage areas, each corresponding to a specific pointer. This segmentation approach ensures that each pointer has its own dedicated space for cut/copy operations, preventing data confusion between pointers while maintaining manageable complexity through clear organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clipboard buffer system is designed to serve multiple pointers simultaneously through a unified management structure. The buffer can handle operations from any pointer while maintaining separate storage areas, providing universal functionality that works for all pointers without requiring completely separate independent systems for each pointer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple pointers can perform cut-and-paste operations simultaneously, then collaborative efficiency is improved, but data confusion between pointers occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative operation efficiencyVSAvoiddata association accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The clipboard buffer is divided into separate storage areas for different pointers, allowing multiple pointers to perform cut and paste operations simultaneously without data confusion. Each pointer's operations are isolated in its own storage area, maintaining clear data association while enabling efficient collaborative work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback mechanisms to track which pointer performed which operation and where the data is stored. This feedback ensures that each pointer can reliably access its own data while the system maintains accurate tracking of all operations, preventing information loss even during simultaneous collaborative operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3217268B1Display device, projector and display control method
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3217268B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3217268B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3217268B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The convenience of the cut-and-paste or copy-and-paste function is to be improved in a display device which displays images corresponding to the positions of a plurality of pointers. A display device includes: a display unit which displays an image; a detection unit which detects a position of a first pointer and a position of a second pointer, on the image; a storage unit having a storage area corresponding to the first pointer and the second pointer; a storage control unit which causes a first virtual object associated with the first pointer to be stored in the storage area, with the first virtual object corresponding to a first identifier, and which causes a second virtual object associated with the second pointer to be stored in the storage area, with the second virtual object corresponding to a second identifier; and a pasting unit which pastes the first virtual object stored corresponding to the first identifier in the storage area to the image in response to an operation of the first pointer, and which pastes the second virtual object stored corresponding to the second identifier in the storage area to the image in response to an operation of the second pointer.