Independent Pointer Magnification for Low Vision GUIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnification systems for low vision users often result in pointing indicia becoming overly large at high magnification levels, obscuring the graphic user interface, and fail to accommodate individual preferences for cursor or caret size across different applications.
Innovation Solution
A method to independently scale pointing indicia (cursors and carets) relative to the graphic user interface, allowing for separate magnification levels based on application focus, user input, and convergence values to optimize visibility and usability, decoupling synchronization between GUI and pointing indicia magnification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If pointing indicia are magnified in step with the entire GUI, then visibility of pointing indicia is improved, but the pointing indicia become overly large and obscure the GUI at high magnification levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnification process into two independent components: GUI magnification and pointing indicia magnification. By decoupling these two magnification processes, the system allows the GUI to be magnified to high levels for visibility while keeping the pointing indicia at a controlled, manageable size that does not obscure the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different magnification parameters to different components: the GUI uses one magnification level for enhanced visibility, while the pointing indicia use a separate, controlled magnification level. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to be optimized independently.
2Device complexity
If a fixed magnification level is applied to all pointing indicia, then simplicity of implementation is improved, but adaptability to different application contexts and user preferences is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the pointing indicia magnification level to change based on application context and user preferences. Instead of a fixed magnification, the system can adjust the pointing indicia size dynamically to match the current application's requirements and the user's comfort level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in the pointing indicia magnification level based on detected application context and user settings. This allows the same magnification system to adapt to different applications (e.g., text editing vs. graphic design) and user preferences without requiring separate systems for each scenario.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer program for rendering a magnified graphic user interface (GUI) establishes a first magnification level for the graphic user interface and a second magnification level for a pointer. It displays the magnified GUI at the first magnification level and monitors application program interface messaging for a call for a system pointer identifier. It intercepts this call and scales the pointing indicia not to the magnification level of the GUI, but to the second magnification level for the pointer. The pointer is then displayed to an end user of the computer system at a magnification level that is different from the magnification level of the GUI. Thus, the invention provides for independent magnification of the graphic user interface from the mouse cursor or caret.