Spread-to-duplicate and pinch-to-delete touch gestures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for duplicating or deleting items on touch screen devices are complex, requiring multiple navigational steps and can be difficult for users to remember, especially on small-interface devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spread-to-duplicate and pinch-to-delete gestures, where a spread gesture with two inputs that increase distance duplicates an item and a pinch gesture with two non-adjacent items that decrease distance deletes the item between them, simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional techniques are used for duplicating or deleting items, then the operations can be performed, but the process becomes complex and requires multiple navigational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the duplication and deletion operations into distinct, simple gesture patterns (spread gesture for duplication, pinch gesture for deletion). Each gesture is broken down into specific finger movements that map directly to the desired operation, eliminating the need for complex menu navigation and making the operations intuitive and easy to remember.
2Productivity
If menu-based operations are used, then duplication and deletion can be achieved, but the steps are difficult to remember
Solution Approach 1:
The gesture-based system allows users to perform duplication and deletion operations through intuitive physical movements that mirror the desired outcome (spreading fingers to create copies, pinching to remove). This self-evident interface eliminates the need to memorize complex menu sequences, as the gesture itself communicates its function through natural hand movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional navigation is used on small-interface devices, then items can be manipulated, but navigation becomes difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of interaction by using multi-finger gestures that operate in spatial space above the touchscreen surface. Instead of navigating through hierarchical menus on the limited 2D screen, users can directly manipulate items through 3D-inspired hand movements (spreading apart to duplicate, pinching together to delete), which works equally well on small device interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for spread and pinch gestures are described. A spread gesture can be recognized effective to cause an item to be duplicated. In implementations, the spread gesture includes at least two inputs that select the item and spread apart to increase a distance between the two inputs. The item is divided into two substantially identical items in response to the distance between the two inputs exceeding a distance threshold. A pinch gesture can also be recognized effective to cause one or more items to be removed from a display of items. In implementations, the pinch gesture includes two or more inputs that select and drag two non-adjacent items toward one another to decrease a distance between the two non-adjacent items. The one or more items that are between the two non-adjacent items are removed from the display based on recognition of the pinch gesture.