Pointer Movement Restriction for Accurate GUI Target Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In GUI environments, especially in living room settings where a desk is not available, the operability of selecting target objects on a screen using 3-dimensional pointing devices is compromised due to hand movement factors and the need to consciously manage pointer paths, leading to decreased efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a display, input, and control means that restricts pointer movement when indicating a target object, allowing for precise selection and execution of target objects on the screen, even when not directly indicating them, by using movement restriction information and execution information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pointer velocity is lowered when passing through target objects to enable precise selection, then the accuracy of selecting the intended target object is improved, but the time required to reach the target object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (automatic pointer adjustment function) that acts as a mediator between the user's rough indication and the precise target selection. When the pointer enters a predetermined area around the target object, the system automatically adjusts the pointer to indicate the center of the target object, eliminating the need for users to manually slow down and precisely position the pointer, thus resolving the contradiction between selection accuracy and time efficiency
2Measurement precision
If the user consciously manages the pointer movement path to avoid other target objects, then the accuracy of selecting the intended target object is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the pointer automatically identifies and corrects its own position when entering the predetermined area around a target object. The system autonomously adjusts the pointer to the center of the target object without requiring user intervention or conscious path management, thereby maintaining high selection accuracy while significantly improving ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If the pointer velocity is made variable when moving to specific target objects, then the ease of selecting target objects is improved, but the time required to reach the target object increases due to repeated velocity reductions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining predetermined areas around target objects and establishing automatic pointer adjustment rules in advance. When the pointer enters these predetermined areas, the system proactively and automatically adjusts the pointer to the target center without requiring velocity modulation or user decision-making, thus improving ease of operation while avoiding time loss from repeated velocity changes
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus, an input apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that are capable of improving operability when a target object is selected on a screen are provided. A control apparatus is provided to which, when a button is pressed in a state where a pointer is indicating an area around an icon on a screen, a signal indicating that the button has been pressed and a signal of positional information of the pointer at that time are input, and the control apparatus performs movement control such that the pointer indicates the icon based on those signals. Therefore, even when the pointer is not directly indicating the icon, the icon can be indicated by indicating the area around the icon, thus improving operability in selecting the icon on the screen by the pointer.