Single-Point Gesture Trajectory Bending for Intuitive Zoom Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current single-point gestures for zooming on electronic devices, such as pinching or double-tap, are not intuitive, require multiple points of interaction, or occupy valuable screen space, making them impractical for situations like using a smartphone with one hand, and lack a unified standard for zooming in and out.

Innovation Solution

A single-point gesture method where a user selects a point on the screen and moves it to generate a trajectory, with clockwise bending zooming in and counterclockwise bending zooming out, allowing for continuous control of image parameters like panning, zooming, rotating, and adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation without releasing the point of contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pinch gesture is used for zooming, then zooming functionality is achieved, but it requires at least two points of interaction which is not applicable when holding device with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-handed operation capabilityVSAvoidgesture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the zoom operation into directional components (clockwise rotation for zoom-in, counterclockwise rotation for zoom-out) that can be performed with a single point of contact, eliminating the need for two-point pinch gesture while maintaining zoom functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rotational dimension to the gesture control, where the direction of rotation (clockwise/counterclockwise) at a single point maps to different zoom operations, adding dimensional complexity to the gesture space to compensate for reduced contact points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If double-tap gesture is used for zooming, then zoom-in functionality is achieved, but it conflicts with other double-tap functionalities and does not provide zoom-out capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom operation versatilityVSAvoidgesture ambiguity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the gesture dynamic by using continuous rotational motion rather than discrete taps, where the direction and continuity of rotation at a single point dynamically maps to different zoom operations, eliminating ambiguity with other double-tap functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using repetitive tapping motions, the patent inverts the approach by using continuous rotational movement in opposite directions (clockwise/counterclockwise) to achieve different zoom effects, providing both zoom-in and zoom-out capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If additional buttons or static icons are added to screen to provide zoom functionality, then zoom control is achieved, but icons take up valuable screen real-estate and require releasing the point being dragged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous control capabilityVSAvoidscreen real-estate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the zoom control functionality directly into the existing point-of-contact gesture space, combining panning, zooming, and rotation control into a single continuous gesture workflow without requiring separate buttons or icons, thereby preserving screen real-estate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the single-point gesture universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions (panning, zooming in, zooming out, rotating) through different motion patterns, eliminating the need for separate controls for each function and reducing the need for additional screen elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If holding down for a period of time is used for zooming, then zoom functionality is achieved, but the gesture is slow and may conflict with simply putting down finger and lingering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture distinction clarityVSAvoidoperation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses rotational motion (analogous to vibration) where continuous clockwise or counterclockwise rotation at the contact point provides clear tactile and visual feedback for zoom direction, making the gesture faster and more distinct from simple finger placement or lingering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9836200B2Interacting with electronic devices using a single-point gesture

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 FAINSTAIN EVGENE

AI summary

Disclosed are a system and a method for interacting with electronic devices using a single-point gesture. A single point is selected in an image provided by a display associated with an electronic device. The selected point is continuously moved to generate a trajectory. A bending of the trajectory is monitored while moving the selected point. In response to the monitoring of the bending, the electronic device is operable to perform, based at least on the bending of the trajectory, a designated action. For example, the image is moved along the trajectory and while being moved the image is zoomed in when the trajectory bends clockwise and the image is zoomed out when trajectory bends counterclockwise. The scale of zooming is determined based on an area between a segment trajectory and a chord of trajectory found in a pre-determined time period or a pre-determined travel distance along the trajectory.