Selection Vector Interface for Text Input Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interfaces for text input, such as those using two-dimensional grids or keyboards, are often slow and awkward to use, especially when selecting characters from a large set.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system that utilizes a pointing device to navigate and select items in a linear or circular arrangement, with a selection vector and zooming features to improve navigation and selection efficiency, allowing users to select items by positioning the vector over desired characters and activating a selection button.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a two-dimensional grid of alphanumeric characters is used for text input, then the character set size can be large, but the navigation and selection process becomes slow and awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The character set is segmented into multiple groups that can be displayed and navigated sequentially. Instead of presenting all characters in a single large grid, the system divides them into manageable groups, allowing users to navigate through groups rather than individual characters across a vast grid, thereby improving navigation efficiency while maintaining access to a large character set.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional grid navigation to a one-dimensional linear or circular arrangement of character groups. This dimensional change simplifies navigation by reducing the complexity of movement from navigating across rows and columns to simple sequential progression through groups, making the interface more intuitive and faster to use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional two-dimensional keyboard layouts are used, then all characters can be accessed, but the number of keystrokes and time required for selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
Character groups are pre-organized and displayed in a structured linear or circular sequence before user interaction begins. This preliminary arrangement allows users to systematically navigate through groups rather than searching through all characters randomly, reducing selection time while ensuring all characters remain accessible through the organized structure.
3Quantity of substance
If a large number of characters are displayed simultaneously in a grid, then character selection is comprehensive, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple character groups rather than showing all characters in a single large grid. Each group contains a manageable number of characters, reducing the visual complexity at any given moment while maintaining comprehensive character access through systematic navigation between groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reorganizes character display from a two-dimensional grid layout to a one-dimensional linear or circular arrangement of groups. This dimensional simplification reduces interface complexity by eliminating the need to navigate across multiple rows and columns, making the interface more intuitive while still providing access to a large character set through sequential group navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating a user interface for text and item selection is disclosed. As described for various embodiments, a system and process is disclosed for providing an arrangement of selectable items, a mechanism for selection from the arrangement of selectable items, and a mechanism for adjusting the granularity of control of the selector. In one embodiment, the granularity control can be a zooming mechanism to modify the size and/or position of items in a selection set. In another embodiment, the granularity control can be a modification of the motion vector based on a distance from a reference point and the speed or quantity of deflection of a pointing device. Thus, as a selection point approaches the selection set, the motion of the selection point becomes less responsive to movement of the pointing device, so the user has more control over the positioning of the selection point relative to an item in the selection set.