Multi-touch Interface Gesture Segmentation for Object Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-touch graphical user interfaces are not optimized to utilize the capabilities of multi-touch input devices, limiting their functionality and user experience in multi-touch environments.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a multi-touch graphical user interface that allows users to manipulate objects by displaying them in group representations, receiving multi-touch inputs to change the scale and organization of these groups, and using specific gestures like single-finger, two-finger, and three-finger zoom inputs to trigger different operations, such as scaling, reorganizing, and revealing contextual menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a graphical user interface is designed for single-touch input, then it maintains simplicity and compatibility with traditional input devices, but it cannot utilize the capabilities of multi-touch input devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multi-touch gestures by the number of fingers involved, creating distinct gesture types (single-finger, two-finger, three-finger gestures) with different functions. This segmentation allows the interface to handle complex multi-touch capabilities while maintaining clarity about what each gesture does, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal gesture system where the same basic interaction pattern (touching and moving the screen) serves multiple functions depending on the number of fingers used. This multi-functionality approach allows a single interface design to accommodate both simple single-touch operations and complex multi-touch operations without requiring separate interface designs for each input type.
2Ease of operation
If multiple gestures are assigned to different numbers of touches, then the interface can perform richer operations, but it increases the difficulty of learning and using the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functions to gestures based on their specific characteristic (number of fingers) while maintaining consistent interaction patterns. Each finger-count gesture type has its own specific function, but all follow the same basic touch-and-move paradigm, making the system learnable despite having multiple gesture types.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to learn multiple different interaction patterns for different operations, the patent inverts the approach: it uses a single consistent interaction pattern (touch and move) that varies only in the number of fingers used. This inversion simplifies learning while still providing rich operational capability.
3Productivity
If the interface displays all objects individually, then each object is clearly visible, but it becomes difficult to manage and manipulate multiple objects efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for object organization by grouping objects based on their spatial relationship and allowing gestures to operate on groups rather than individual objects. This dimensional change from individual object manipulation to group object manipulation improves productivity while maintaining the ability to see and access individual object details when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple objects into a selectable group that can be manipulated as a single unit through gestures. This merging allows efficient batch operations on multiple objects while still preserving the ability to interact with individual objects within the group, resolving the contradiction between manipulation efficiency and detail visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments related to the manipulation of objects on a multi-touch graphical user interface are disclosed. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a method of operating a multi-touch graphical user interface on a computing device comprises displaying a group of objects on the graphical user interface in a group representation, receiving a first multi-touch input in which a first number of touches associated with the group representation are moved on the graphical user interface, and in response to the first multi-touch input, changing a scale of the objects in the group representation. The method further comprises receiving a second multi-touch input in which a second number of touches associated with the group representation are moved on the graphical user interface, and in response to the second multi-touch input, changing an organization of the objects in the group representation on the graphical user interface.