Stretchable Virtual Delete Button for Touchscreen Text Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for interacting with portable computing devices, such as smartphones or tablets, are cumbersome for deleting text due to limited screen size and finger size, making it difficult to position an insert point accurately for deleting specific portions of text.
Innovation Solution
A graphical interface element that allows users to perform functions by tapping and then swiping or dragging on the screen, enabling control over the extent of the function, such as deleting text by stretching a virtual delete button over the text to be removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a backspace button is used for deleting text, then text deletion function is provided, but the operation becomes cumbersome on small touch displays
Solution Approach 1:
The delete button is segmented into multiple functional zones: a head portion for initiating deletion and a body portion for controlling deletion extent. This segmentation allows the button to provide both simple delete functionality and precise portion control within a compact area, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and limited screen space.
Solution Approach 2:
The delete button transitions from a static icon to a dynamic, stretchable element. When the user presses and holds the button, it can be stretched to cover the portion of text to be deleted, providing intuitive control over deletion scope. This dynamic behavior enables precise text manipulation without requiring additional screen real estate.
2Measurement precision
If the insert point is moved with a finger on a touch keyboard, then text position control is achieved, but the operation becomes particularly cumbersome with thick fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The delete button serves as an intermediary tool between the user's finger and the text insertion/deletion point. Instead of directly manipulating the insert point with a finger, users interact with the stretchable delete button, which visually indicates the deletion scope and automatically positions itself appropriately. This intermediary approach eliminates the precision problems associated with direct finger manipulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a delete button is provided to delete all text in a text field, then complete text deletion is enabled, but control over deleting specific portions of text is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The delete button is designed with multi-functionality: it can delete all text when pressed briefly, delete specific portions when stretched, and provide visual feedback about deletion scope. This single element replaces multiple separate controls (select all, delete, partial delete functions), providing versatile text deletion capability without increasing overall interface complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide a graphical interface element displayable on a touch screen of a computing device associated with a function to be performed. In response to receiving a touch input from a finger of a user to an area associated with the graphical interface element, such as a tap, the function is performed. In response to receiving a touch input to the area associated with the user selectable element followed by a swipe, drag, or movement of the user selectable element with a finger of the user, the user is able to control an amount of the function to be performed.