Predictive Target Enlargement for GUI Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems face difficulties in quickly and efficiently acquiring target objects in graphical user interfaces due to the need for precise pointer movements and the inability to predict which interface item is the desired target, leading to overlapping and repositioning of GUI objects.
Innovation Solution
A method that predicts the target object by analyzing cursor movement and enlarges the corresponding command region before acquisition, allowing overlap with adjacent objects and providing early visual feedback, thus facilitating easier selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the target object is enlarged after the pointer reaches it (as in McGuffin's approach), then the target object becomes easier to acquire, but the user must first move the pointer precisely to the target location, increasing acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enlarging the target object before the pointer reaches it. The system predicts the user's intended target based on pointer movement direction and enlarges that target in advance, so when the user arrives at the location, the target is already enlarged and easier to acquire, eliminating the delay of waiting for enlargement to occur after arrival
2Loss of time
If the target object is enlarged before the pointer reaches it (as in the patent), then the user can acquire the target more quickly, but the system must predict which object will be selected, adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the user's pointer movement to dynamically predict and identify the intended target. By monitoring the direction and trajectory of pointer movement, the system receives continuous feedback about user intent and uses this information to determine which target to enlarge, making the prediction process adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of target size dynamically based on predicted user intent. Instead of maintaining fixed target sizes, the system adjusts the size parameter of the predicted target object based on pointer movement analysis, allowing the interface to adapt to user behavior patterns
3Ease of operation
If traditional target enlargement is used, then the target object becomes more visible and easier to select, but adjacent GUI objects must be repositioned to avoid overlap, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the enlargement effect from the physical target object and applies it to a virtual prediction indicator instead. By separating the visual feedback mechanism from the actual target object, the system can show enlargement cues without requiring other GUI elements to reposition, as the prediction indicator exists in a different visual layer
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.