Pointer Movement Detection for Accurate Icon Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pointing devices for small information apparatuses, such as cellular phones and PDAs, are difficult to operate accurately and rapidly due to their small size, making it challenging to select small icons or menu items on the display.
Innovation Solution
The information apparatus includes a pointing device, a pointer information storage unit, an operation selecting element storage unit, and a determination condition storage unit, which detect and store the pointer's movement and stop positions, and determine selection based on predetermined conditions, such as successive movements and stops within specific regions, to facilitate icon selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pointing device is reduced in size for use in small information apparatus, then the device can be applied to portable devices like cellular phones and PDAs, but it becomes difficult to operate accurately and rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting pointer movement in advance and storing movement information before selection is made. The determination unit analyzes accumulated movement data to identify selection intent, allowing the system to anticipate user intent before final selection occurs, thereby compensating for the small device size and difficult operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously detecting pointer position, storing movement information, and using this data to determine selection. The determination unit provides feedback based on accumulated movement patterns, enabling the system to adapt to user behavior and improve selection accuracy despite the limited physical space and difficult operation of small pointing devices.
2Quantity of substance
If the icon size is reduced to fit more elements on the display, then more information can be displayed, but it becomes harder to accurately select the icon with a small pointing device
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects and stores pointer movement information in advance before final selection. By accumulating movement data as the pointer approaches and moves around the icon, the system can determine selection intent even when icons are small and densely packed, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite reduced icon size.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit continuously monitors pointer position and movement patterns, providing feedback based on accumulated data. This feedback mechanism enables accurate icon selection by analyzing movement trajectories and stopping patterns, compensating for the difficulty of precisely targeting small icons on crowded displays.
3Ease of operation
If the pointing device operation is simplified by placing the pointer in advance on frequently selected icons, then subsequent selections become easier, but the first-time selection remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and storage of pointer movement information for all icons, not just frequently selected ones. By continuously monitoring and storing movement data from the moment the pointer enters the display area, the system prepares selection data in advance, reducing the time needed for first-time selections while maintaining ease of subsequent selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit provides continuous feedback by analyzing pointer movement patterns in real-time. This feedback mechanism helps users know when they are near the correct icon by monitoring movement trajectories, thereby reducing the time for first-time selections while maintaining the simplified operation benefit for subsequent selections.
Data Source
AI summary
An information apparatus includes a display unit which displays an icon, a pointer, and the like, and a pointing device. When the pointer executes predetermined movement and stop in an icon-selection effective region formed in a periphery of the icon, the information apparatus determines that the pointer has selected the above-described icon. It is possible to apply a menu item in place of the icon. It is possible to set plural conditions for determining that the icon has been selected. It is possible for an operator to easily select the icon and the like on a small display unit by using the pointing device.