Tablet Touchscreen Context Menu for Computing Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing devices face challenges in effectively managing and displaying contextual information related to items on a display screen, as existing methods either clutter the screen with unnecessary information or require users to interrupt their activities to access relevant options.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a tablet device with a touchscreen to provide contextual input to a computing device, where the touchscreen is mapped to a display screen section, allowing users to access context menu items through touch inputs, with non-visual signals like sounds and vibrations to avoid interrupting the user's attention, and enabling recursive menu operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contextual information is displayed on the main screen, then users can access options quickly, but the screen becomes cluttered and obscures other items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the user interface into two separate displays: the main computing device screen for primary content and the tablet touchscreen for contextual menu options. This segmentation allows contextual information to be accessed without occupying space on the main screen, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and screen visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tablet device acts as an intermediary between the user and the contextual menu system. Instead of displaying menus directly on the main screen, the tablet receives contextual information requests, processes them, and presents options on its own touchscreen, serving as a mediator that preserves main screen clarity while enabling quick access to options.
2Area of stationary object
If contextual information is displayed only after user request, then screen clutter is avoided, but users must interrupt their activity to access options
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring the computing device screen for items that would benefit from contextual menus. When a relevant item is detected, the tablet proactively prepares and displays contextual options without requiring the user to explicitly request them, thus avoiding interruption while maintaining screen clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring user interaction with the main screen and automatically responding by presenting contextual options on the tablet. This feedback loop allows the system to anticipate user needs and provide relevant options before the user has to interrupt their workflow, reducing the time penalty while maintaining a clean main screen.
3Area of stationary object
If contextual menus are displayed on tablet touchscreen, then main screen remains uncluttered, but users need to switch attention to tablet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the contextual menu interface from the two-dimensional main screen to a separate spatial dimension—the tablet touchscreen. This dimensional transition allows users to access contextual options without competing for space or attention on the primary display, effectively resolving the conflict between maintaining main screen visibility and ensuring ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A tablet device provides contextual input to a computing device by using a touchscreen to display a context menu related to a location on a display screen of the computing device, accessing a selection from the context menu from the touchscreen, and sending values corresponding to the selection to the computing device. The touchscreen may alternatively enable user input related to the context menu or touchpad functions.