On-Screen Pointer Control for Precise Touch Display Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile computing devices with touch-sensitive displays lack the precision and versatility for quick and accurate pointing, selecting, and dragging tasks, particularly near the display's edges, and do not support applications designed for desktop and notebook computing devices, and do not effectively support secondary click actions, mouse-over actions, and accessibility settings, and do not allow user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A method which includes displaying a pointer positioning and control icon, detecting a finger contact on a pointer and control icon, and in response to detecting a change in the position of a finger contact on a pointer and control method, and in response to detecting a change in the position of a finger contact on a pointer and control icon, changing the position of the pointer on the touch-sensitive display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct manipulation of objects on the screen is used for selection and editing, then the device supports touch-sensitive display operations, but the precision and speed for pointing and selecting tasks deteriorates compared to mouse/touchpad solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an on-screen pointer as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the content on the display. The pointer is controlled by finger gestures on a control icon, allowing precise positioning and selection of content elements without requiring direct finger contact with the content itself. This mediator enables desktop-style precision pointing on touch-sensitive displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional transformation by mapping finger movements on a small control icon to larger pointer movements on the full display area. The control icon serves as a transformation zone where gestures in one dimension (small icon area) are translated to another dimension (full display area), enabling precise control of pointer position across the entire screen.
2Ease of operation
If direct manipulation gestures are used for content selection, then the interface is simplified for touch devices, but the ability to perform secondary click actions and mouse-over actions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic behavior where the pointer responds differently to various finger gestures on the control icon. Different gesture types (tap, hold, drag) trigger different pointer actions (click, hover, drag selection), allowing the system to adapt to different user intentions based on the dynamic nature of the gesture being performed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control icon into different interaction zones that respond to gestures in different ways. The control icon can be divided into areas that trigger different pointer behaviors, enabling complex actions like secondary clicks and mouse-overs to be performed through specific gesture patterns on specific regions of the control icon.
3Productivity
If existing touch gesture solutions are implemented, then the device supports mobile applications, but accessibility settings and user preference customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control mechanism that serves multiple functions: it enables precise pointing, supports various gesture types for different actions, and can be customized through accessibility settings. The control icon and pointer system can be adapted to serve different user needs and preferences while maintaining a single unified interface paradigm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for parameter changes in the pointer control system through accessibility settings and user preferences. Users can modify parameters such as pointer speed, control icon size, and gesture sensitivity to accommodate different ability levels and preferences, making the system adaptable to a broader range of users.
4Measurement precision
If on-screen pointer control is implemented through finger gestures on a control icon, then precise pointing and selecting performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control icon serves as a self-contained control mechanism that integrates both the control interface and the pointer functionality. The system uses the device's existing touch-sensitive display capabilities to create the control icon and detect gestures, rather than requiring additional hardware components, thus achieving precise control without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a mobile computing device having a touch-sensitive display to: display a pointer; display a control icon; detect a contact on the touch-sensitive display; in response to detecting a change in a horizontal position of the contact beginning anywhere on the control icon, change a horizontal position of the pointer with respect to the control icon; and in response to detecting a change in a vertical position of the contact beginning anywhere on the control icon: change a vertical position of the pointer; and change a vertical position of the control icon.