Text Selection Widgets on Small Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accurately selecting text on small mobile device screens, as it is challenging to precisely choose the intended text due to screen size limitations and the need for zooming, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The system displays first and second widgets marking the boundaries of a selected text portion, along with an extended area containing UI controls, allowing users to update the selection by selecting these controls, thereby fine-tuning the text selection without the need for precise finger placement or zooming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the screen size is small, then the device is portable and convenient, but text selection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by displaying selection controls in an extended area adjacent to the text, rather than requiring precise finger placement directly on the text. This dimensional shift allows users to access selection controls with lower precision requirements while maintaining accurate text selection capability on small screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces widgets as intermediary elements between the user's finger and the text selection target. These widgets act as mediators that translate imprecise finger movements into accurate text boundary adjustments, solving the precision problem on small screens without requiring the device to be larger.
2Measurement precision
If zooming is used to improve text selection accuracy, then selection precision improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the selection controls from the text area itself and places them in a separate extended area. This separation allows users to adjust text selections using controls that are easier to manipulate, eliminating the need for zooming while maintaining selection accuracy and improving operational convenience.
3Device complexity
If traditional text selection is used on small screens, then the interface remains simple, but selection accuracy and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the text selection interface into distinct components: widgets for marking boundaries and separate selection controls in an extended area. This segmentation allows each component to have a specialized function, improving selection accuracy while keeping the overall interface organized and manageable despite the added functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for selecting text displayed on a screen. An example method of selecting text displayed on a screen includes displaying a first widget marking a first boundary of a selected first portion of text displayed on the screen. The method also includes displaying a second widget marking a second boundary of the first portion. The method further includes displaying an extended area including user interface (UI) controls corresponding to the first widget. The method also includes updating, based on a selection of a UI control corresponding to the first widget, a location of the first widget to indicate an updated selection of a second portion of text displayed on the screen. The second portion of text is disposed between the first and second widgets.