Touch Element Interface for File Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation mechanisms for large audio and video files, such as jog/shuttle dials, are inconvenient and time-consuming for users to locate desired portions of files.

Innovation Solution

A user interface with a plurality of touch elements, arranged in a circular or linear manner, allows users to perform forward and rewind functions and zoom in on specific file portions by sensing user inputs, enabling efficient navigation and location of desired content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional jog/shuttle dial is used for navigation, then the apparatus can navigate through files of stored content, but it is inconvenient and time-consuming for users to locate a desired portion of a file

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of locating desired file portionsVSAvoidtime required to locate desired file portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The circular interface is segmented into multiple discrete touch elements (first touch element, second touch element, third touch element, fourth touch element) arranged in a circle, each corresponding to different navigation functions. This segmentation allows users to directly select specific navigation modes (forward, backward, fast forward, fast backward) by touching specific elements, eliminating the time-consuming process of manually operating a continuous jog/shuttle dial to reach desired positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If a jog/shuttle dial is used for navigation, then content can be moved through in forward or reverse direction, but pressing the knob harder causes video content to be removed from the display device due to fast picture movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent movement speedVSAvoidvideo content visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation controls are segmented into distinct touch elements, each dedicated to a specific speed mode. The first touch element controls forward playback, the second touch element controls backward playback, the third touch element controls fast forward, and the fourth touch element controls fast backward. This segmentation eliminates the problem of unintended speed changes that occur when pressing a continuous dial harder, as each touch element provides a predetermined, reliable playback speed without causing video content to be removed from display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional jog/shuttle dial is used, then users can navigate through files, but the mechanism is complex and requires physical manipulation in multiple directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation functionalityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple navigation functions (forward playback, backward playback, fast forward, fast backward) that traditionally required a complex jog/shuttle dial with multiple directions and pressure levels are merged into a simple circular interface with four discrete touch elements. This merging maintains full navigation versatility while dramatically reducing interface complexity and ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circular interface with four touch elements serves as a universal control mechanism that provides multiple navigation functions (forward, backward, fast forward, fast backward) in a single integrated structure. Each touch element is multi-functional in that it can be used in combination with others to achieve different navigation outcomes, replacing the need for complex physical manipulation of traditional jog/shuttle dials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2126669B8Method for operating a reproduction apparatus via a user interface having touch elements
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS

AI summary

A method (50) for operating a reproduction apparatus via a user interface having a plurality of touch elements enables users to conveniently and efficiently locate desired portions of a file. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method (50) includes detecting a first input to a first one of the touch elements (52), selecting a first portion of the file in response to the first input (54), detecting a second input to a second one of the touch elements after detecting the first input (52), and selecting a second portion of the file that exists within the first portion in response to the second input (54).