Radial Touch Interface for Space-Efficient Data Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen devices face inefficiencies in human interface for data entry, as virtual keyboards occupy valuable screen space and keys are often cramped, making them less intuitive and accurate compared to physical keys.
Innovation Solution
A radial based user interface is implemented on touch sensitive devices, where numbers and characters are mapped to radial locations relative to a central region on the screen, allowing data entry through multiple finger taps or strokes, mimicking an analog clock layout to facilitate rapid and accurate input without the need for a physical keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual keyboard is used on touch screen devices, then data entry functionality is provided, but screen space is occupied and keys become cramped reducing intuitiveness and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear keyboard layout to a radial/dimensional layout where keys are arranged in concentric circles around a central point. This dimensional reorganization allows keys to be distributed across the screen more efficiently, providing full keyboard functionality without occupying excessive screen space while maintaining large, easily targetable key areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard is segmented into multiple radial zones or rings, with different key groups distributed across these zones. This segmentation allows the interface to provide comprehensive keyboard functionality while using screen space more efficiently, as users can access different key groups by moving radially outward from the center rather than across a crowded linear layout.
2Area of stationary object
If a radial based user interface is implemented, then screen space is freed up and data entry becomes more intuitive, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial interface implements local quality by providing context-sensitive functionality at different radial positions. Different zones or rings may offer different key groups or functions, allowing the interface to remain simple at any given moment while providing comprehensive functionality overall. This localized approach reduces the perceived complexity for users interacting with specific key groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial interface is designed to be dynamic, allowing the active key group or functional zone to change based on user interaction. The interface can dynamically highlight or activate different radial zones, providing guidance and reducing complexity by only displaying or emphasizing relevant keys at any given moment rather than presenting all keys simultaneously.
3Productivity
If multiple finger taps are supported for data entry, then input speed and accuracy improve, but the detection and measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the radial interface with defined zones and expected multi-touch patterns. The interface is designed to anticipate and guide users through specific multi-finger tap sequences, reducing the detection complexity by having predetermined interaction patterns rather than requiring complex real-time analysis of arbitrary multi-touch gestures.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial interface implements feedback mechanisms that guide users through multi-finger tap sequences. The system provides visual or haptic feedback to confirm detected touches and guide users through the expected interaction pattern, making the detection process more manageable by breaking down complex multi-touch sequences into guided, feedback-driven steps rather than requiring simultaneous complex pattern recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
A radial based user interface (UI) is provided for entering data into a computer device. The radial based UI has a central region with a plurality of radial regions. A location for the central region is defined on a touch sensitive display screen of the device and a value is assigned to each radial region. When a first touch is detected in the central region of the radial UI, an indication of a radial position responsive to a second touch on the touch sensitive screen may be determined. A value corresponding to the radial position of the second touch may then be input to an application being executed on the device. The first and second touches may be two separate finger taps, or may be sequential portions of a continuous stroke that occurs along one of the plurality of radial regions.