Pressure-Based Control Alteration in Touch Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manipulating user interfaces on electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, leading to increased cognitive burden and energy consumption, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses a touch-sensitive surface with sensors to detect contact intensity, allowing for the display of additional controls by ceasing to show existing ones upon a press input with sufficient intensity, and providing visual and haptic feedback to enhance user interaction, such as previewing operations with lighter presses and performing actions with deeper presses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional touch-sensitive surface methods are used for manipulating user interfaces, then the interface is simple to implement, but the interaction becomes cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on detected contact intensity. The system transitions between different interface states (first plurality of controls vs. second plurality of controls) depending on whether the contact intensity exceeds the intensity threshold, allowing the interface to be simple during normal operation but provide advanced controls when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of contact intensity detection to control interface behavior. By monitoring whether contact intensity exceeds a threshold value, the system switches between different control sets, thereby changing the operational parameters of the user interface based on physical input characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional touch methods are used, then energy consumption is lower with simpler interactions, but cognitive burden increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides advanced functionality (second plurality of controls) only when the user applies excessive contact intensity beyond the threshold. For typical light touches, the interface remains simple with the first plurality of controls, avoiding unnecessary complexity while still providing power access when deeply pressed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional controls are always displayed, then user functionality is enhanced, but display space is wasted and interface becomes cluttered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiddisplay space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The controls are segmented into two distinct sets: a first plurality of controls for normal operation and a second plurality of controls for advanced functionality. The system selectively displays only the relevant set based on contact intensity, dividing the control functionality into manageable segments that are presented only when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in faster, more efficient user interactions, reducing cognitive burden and conserving power, thereby increasing user satisfaction and extending battery life in portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

a touch-sensitive surface with sensors to detect contact intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10496260B2Device, method, and graphical user interface for pressure-based alteration of controls in a user interface

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The device displays, on the display, a first control for controlling a first operation. The device detects, on the touch-sensitive surface, a first input that corresponds to the first control; and in response to detecting the first input: in accordance with a determination that the first input meets first control-activation criteria but does not include a contact with a maximum intensity above a respective intensity threshold, the device performs the first operation; and in accordance with a determination that the first input includes a contact with an intensity above the respective intensity threshold, the device displays a second control for performing a second operation associated with the first operation.