Shared Edge Cursor Dynamics for Multi-Display Interaction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional display environments designed for single display devices become less interactive when expanded across multiple devices, as the traditional edge functionality is not available for shared edges between devices, requiring significant cursor movement and making interaction less desirable.
Innovation Solution
A shared edge is defined in a display environment using configuration settings across multiple display devices, with distinct movement rates near and away from the edge to facilitate interaction, including a 'sticky region' effect and gate-defined regions to manage element display and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple display devices are used to increase display area, then the amount of viewable information increases, but traditional edge functionality becomes unavailable and interaction difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of traditional single-display edges across multiple display devices by defining shared edges at boundaries between displays. This allows edge-based interactions (such as accessing system menus or application-specific functions) to work seamlessly across multiple displays, combining the extended display area benefit with preserved edge functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared edge acts as an intermediary element between multiple display devices, providing a common interaction boundary that mediates user access to functionality across displays. The shared edge region serves as a mediator that enables consistent interaction patterns regardless of which display the cursor originates from.
2Speed
If cursor movement rate is uniform across the display environment, then navigation speed is maintained, but precision near the shared edge deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cursor movement rates that adjust based on the cursor's proximity to shared edges. When the cursor approaches a shared edge, the movement rate automatically slows down, providing finer control and precision for edge-based interactions. Once the cursor moves away from the shared edge, the movement rate returns to the normal faster speed, maintaining efficient navigation across the display environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different movement rates are applied to different regions of the display environment. The shared edge region has a slower movement rate optimized for precision interactions, while the rest of the display area maintains a faster movement rate for efficient navigation. This local differentiation of movement characteristics optimizes both precision and speed in their respective contexts.
3Ease of operation
If elements are displayed frequently near the shared edge, then functionality access is improved, but element obtrusiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a gate mechanism that requires the cursor to completely pass through a defined gate region on the shared edge before triggering element display. This partial action approach means elements are not displayed for every cursor approach to the edge, but only when the cursor demonstrates intentional interaction by passing through the gate. This reduces spurious or accidental element displays while maintaining accessibility for deliberate interactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A shared edge for a display environment is described. In one or more implementations, a display environment of a computing device that is implemented using a plurality of display devices is configured to include a shared edge defined through a described arrangement of at least two of the display devices in relation to each other. Responsive to an input that describes movement of a cursor across at least a portion of the shared edge, an element is displayed in the display environment.