Touch-Sensitive Display Gesture Duration Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch-sensitive display technologies for portable electronic devices require users to operate the device with both hands to select and expand content, limiting ease of use and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to select display elements on a touch-sensitive display by performing a 'touch and hold' gesture for a predetermined duration, enabling the selection of additional elements based on the duration of the gesture, allowing for variable and efficient selection of content with a single hand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional touch-sensitive display selection methods are used, then content can be selected, but dual-handed operation is required which reduces ease of use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing touch duration as a variable parameter to control selection behavior. Different touch durations trigger different selection modes: short touches select individual elements while long presses expand to select groups or all elements. This transforms a single-parameter interaction (touch location) into a multi-parameter interaction (location + duration), enabling single-handed operation with varied selection outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If more display elements are selected, then content selection is more comprehensive, but the time and complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of selected elementsVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the selection scope dynamic based on touch duration. Instead of static selection methods requiring multiple separate actions, the system dynamically adjusts the selection boundary: initial touch selects the first element, and if the user continues pressing, the selection dynamically expands to include additional elements or groups. This dynamic behavior allows users to quickly select varying amounts of content in a single continuous gesture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic action through time-based triggers. The system monitors touch duration and at specific time thresholds (after a predetermined duration), it automatically triggers expansion actions to select additional elements. This periodic evaluation of touch duration and corresponding automated expansion reduces the time users would otherwise spend manually selecting each element individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If selection expansion is enabled, then content selection is more efficient, but the interface becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the interface to automatically perform selection expansion without requiring additional user actions. Once the user initiates a long press, the system autonomously monitors the touch duration and automatically expands the selection to include more elements based on predefined criteria. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex multi-step selection processes or additional controls, improving efficiency while maintaining interface simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2669779B1Portable electronic device including touch-sensitive display and method of controlling same
Publication Date: 2014.12.10 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2669779B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2669779B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2669779B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes displaying a plurality of display elements on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device; in response to detecting a touch lasting at least a first duration and associated with a first portion of the plurality of display elements, selecting the first portion; and in response to the touch lasting at least a second duration longer than the first duration, selecting a second portion of the plurality of display elements.