Non-occluded Hover Display for Portable Computing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices face challenges such as frequent touchscreen cleaning needs, uncomfortable electrical contact, and limited interaction capabilities due to small displays and lack of features like tooltips and hover boxes, which can lead to suboptimal user experiences, especially for new users.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that detects a user's finger or stylus hovering over user interface elements and displays relevant data without occlusion, using a combination of image analysis, capacitive sensors, and stereoscopic imaging to ensure that hover interactions are recognized and data is displayed effectively, even when the user's finger or hand would otherwise obscure it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touchscreen interaction is used, then direct user interaction is enabled, but the display area becomes limited and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary camera system that captures images of the user's finger and the display screen. This intermediary allows the system to detect hover positions and provide feedback without requiring direct physical contact between the user and the touchscreen, thereby preserving display area while maintaining interaction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the user's finger position by capturing images with the camera and processing them to generate hover indicators. This copy allows the system to track and respond to user intent without requiring the actual finger to occupy display space, effectively expanding the functional display area
2Ease of operation
If tooltips and hover boxes are displayed for hover interactions, then user guidance is improved, but the data may be occluded by the user's finger or hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent analyzes the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the user's finger, the display screen, and the camera by processing image data and determining depth information. This dimensional analysis allows the system to calculate optimal positions for tooltips and hover boxes that exist in a different spatial dimension relative to the finger, preventing occlusion while maintaining information visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the user's finger position and movement trajectory before displaying tooltips or hover boxes. By predicting where the finger will be and what information will be needed, the system can pre-position feedback elements in locations that will remain visible, preventing occlusion before it occurs
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect hover interactions, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera system multi-functional by using it not only for capturing images but also for determining depth information, tracking finger movement, and generating hover indicators. This universal use of a single component achieves high measurement precision without adding separate sensors, thereby avoiding increased device complexity
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
This solution enhances user interaction on portable devices by providing non-occluded data display for hover interactions, improving usability and reducing errors, especially for tasks like web browsing and text creation, by ensuring that essential information is always visible and easily accessible.
Implementation Method 1
some users find the electrical contact between the user's fingertip and the touchscreen uncomfortable
Data Source
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Figure 3(a)~3(d)
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AI summary
A computing device can be configured to recognize when a user hovers over or is within a determined distance of an element displayed on the computing device to perform certain tasks. Information associated with the element can be displayed when such a hover input is detected. This information may comprise a description of what tasks are performed by selection of the element. This information could also be an enlarged version of the element to help the user disambiguate selection of multiple elements. The information can be displayed in a manner such that at least substantive portions of the information would not be obscured or occluded by the user.