Rotating Selection Indicator for Precise Object Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical flight planning faces challenges in precisely selecting 'randomly placed' objects on a map, especially in non-ideal environments like moving vehicles, due to turbulence or vibration, which complicates the use of smooth cursor control devices for selecting small target objects and overlapping selectable items.
Innovation Solution
A graphical selection method using a selection indicator, object indicators, and a position indicator on a display, where the selection indicator can be rotated or moved to enclose object indicators, ensuring precise selection by preventing them from falling between rotation increments, and a menu indicator with a selector icon allows for the selection of multiple objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If smooth cursor control devices are used to select objects on a map, then the selection process can be performed with standard input methods, but turbulence or vibration in moving vehicles makes it difficult to precisely select small target objects
Solution Approach 1:
The selection process is divided into two independent stages: first, a coarse selection phase where a selectable area (such as a circle or rectangle) captures multiple candidate objects; second, a fine selection phase where a menu indicator allows precise selection from the candidates. This segmentation eliminates the need for precise cursor control during the initial targeting phase, making the system tolerant of vibration and turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
A menu indicator is introduced as an intermediary between the selectable area and the final object selection. The menu indicator displays representations of candidate objects and allows the user to select the desired object through simpler operations (such as pressing buttons or clicking), rather than requiring precise cursor positioning on small targets during vibration.
2Area of stationary object
If small target objects are used on the map, then more detailed information can be displayed, but precise selection becomes more difficult in turbulent environments
Solution Approach 1:
The selection system separates the display scale from the selection mechanism. Small target objects can be displayed with high detail on the map, while the selectable area (a larger circle or rectangle) provides a tolerance zone for acquisition. The menu indicator then presents enlarged representations of the small objects for final selection, allowing both detailed display and easy selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The selectable area performs a preliminary action of capturing candidate objects before the final selection is made. This preliminary capture phase allows users to acquire candidates within a larger area, and then the menu indicator presents the small objects in an enlarged format for precise selection, eliminating the need to precisely target small objects directly.
3Quantity of substance
If overlapping selectable objects are placed on the map, then more objects can be displayed in limited space, but precise selection of individual objects becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The menu indicator serves as an intermediary that resolves the ambiguity of overlapping objects. When a selectable area captures multiple overlapping objects, the menu indicator displays their representations in a non-overlapping arrangement, allowing users to clearly distinguish and select individual objects without the confusion of their overlapping positions on the map.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu indicator transitions the selection interface to another dimension by displaying object representations in a list or grid format separate from their map positions. This dimensional separation allows overlapping objects on the 2D map to be distinctly presented and selected in the menu interface, solving the selection ambiguity problem.
4Ease of operation
If a selectable area is rotated in discrete increments, then the interface provides controlled selection steps, but gaps between increments may cause objects to fall between positions and become unselectable
Solution Approach 1:
The selectable area performs a preliminary action of maintaining continuous coverage of the target area during rotation. By ensuring that the selectable area always covers the intended target zone regardless of rotation angle, the system prevents objects from falling into unselectable gaps, and the menu indicator handles the precise selection from captured candidates.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to the graphical selection of objects. A selection indicator, one or more object indicators, and a position indicator are presented on a display. The selection indicator may be manipulated to indicate object indicators by rotating the selection indicator until an object indicators is within the area of the selection indicator and to select an object indicator which has been indicated. The selection indicator may be rotated so a portion overlaps with the location occupied by a portion prior to rotation. A menu indicator is also presented on the display. The menu indicator comprises a selector icon and a list of representations of the object indicators indicated by selection indicator. The selector icon may be manipulated to indicate a single representation of an object indicator and to select the object indicator represented by the representation of the indicated object indicator.