Proximity Sensor Touch Pad GUI Approach Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face usability issues when interacting with touch screens that display multiple items, as they must individually touch and execute each item to obtain information, leading to increased effort and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a proximity sensor and touch pad to sense user approach and contact, providing information about the item approached and performing corresponding functions, including displaying information as animations, changing item size based on distance, and determining user commands through contact analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a user touches each item individually to obtain information, then information about each item can be obtained, but user effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying information about items in advance before the user actually touches them. When a user approaches the touch screen, the system proactively shows information about the item that will be touched next, based on the approach direction and position. This eliminates the need for users to touch each item sequentially to discover information, as the information is already prepared and displayed in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the predictive information display system that mediates between the user's approach and the actual item selection. Instead of direct interaction requiring sequential touching, the intermediary system analyzes approach patterns and provides information about upcoming selections, reducing the interaction steps while maintaining accurate information delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple items are displayed on the touch screen, then information capacity increases, but user confusion and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing customized information display based on the user's specific approach characteristics. Different users or different approach patterns receive different predictive information displays tailored to their specific item of interest. This localized adaptation allows multiple items to be displayed simultaneously without causing confusion, as each user receives information relevant to their specific intent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring user approach behavior and adjusting the information display accordingly. The system provides feedback about which item the user is likely to touch next, and this feedback loop helps users navigate among multiple items more easily by confirming their intent before actual selection, thereby reducing errors even when many items are present.
3Loss of information
If sequential touching is required to figure out item functions, then complete information is obtained, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying function information in advance before the user actually selects the item. By analyzing the approach pattern, the system proactively shows what functions are available for the item that will be touched, eliminating the need for sequential touching to discover functions. All necessary function information is prepared and displayed beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically providing function information without requiring users to manually explore each item through sequential touching. The system autonomously analyzes approach behavior and presents relevant function information, allowing users to make informed decisions without complex interaction sequences. The interface serves itself by automatically adapting to user intent.
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 solution reduces user manipulation by allowing information to be viewed before contact, thereby enhancing usability and preventing errors, resulting in a more intuitive graphical user interface.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor unit which senses an approach to the display unit by a user
Implementation Method 2
a touch sensor unit that senses a contact of the display unit by the user
Data Source
AI summary
An interface controlling method and an apparatus thereof are provided to control a user interface based on a proximity sensor and a touch pad. A number of items are displayed, an item approached by a user is identified by sensing an approach, information is provided regarding the identified item, contact by the user is sensed, and a function corresponding to the user contact is performed.