Touch-Sensitive Display Area Segmentation for Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch-sensitive display systems lack an efficient method to differentiate between various user inputs, leading to accidental activation of functions, especially when multiple functions are available and need to be accessed quickly.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a method to display items on a touch-sensitive display and detects actuation of specific areas, enabling different functions based on the size, shape, and orientation of the touched area, allowing for distinct actions on displayed items and generic functions independent of the items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are made accessible on a touch-sensitive display, then the versatility and ease of operation improve, but the likelihood of accidental activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple functionsVSAvoidaccidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display area associated with each item is divided into multiple distinct regions (first region, second region, third region), each triggering different functions. This segmentation allows multiple functions to be accessed from a single item without increasing accidental activation risk, as each region is clearly defined and distinct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions within the same item's display area are assigned different functions based on their local characteristics. The first region triggers a first function, the second region triggers a second function, and the third region triggers a third function, allowing localized differentiation of function access within the same overall item area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the touch-sensitive display responds to any area actuation, then the ease of operation improves, but the precision of function selection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input simplicityVSAvoidfunction selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The response area for each item is segmented into multiple functional regions, where actuating the first region triggers the first function, actuating the second region triggers the second function, and actuating the third region triggers the third function. This segmentation maintains ease of operation through simple touch input while achieving precise function selection through region-specific responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying indicators that show which region is currently selected or active. This feedback mechanism helps users precisely control which function will be triggered while maintaining simple touch-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10359870B2Apparatus, method, computer program and user interface

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method, apparatus, computer program and user interface wherein the method comprises: displaying an item at a location on a touch sensitive display; detecting actuation of an area of the touch sensitive display wherein the actuated area comprises at least a portion of the location in which the item is displayed; and in response to the detecting, enabling a function to be performed wherein if a first area is actuated a first function, dependent on the item, is enabled and if a second area is actuated a second, different function, independent of the item, is enabled.