Touch Interface Gesture Merging for Game Control Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for providing game controls on touch-sensitive devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple gestures and inputs, which increases cognitive burden and energy consumption, especially in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and interface that utilize a single continuously maintained contact to perform multiple inputs, integrating different gestures to select and apply effects to game objects, reducing the need for extensive menus and visual clutter, and allowing for efficient interaction within a game environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional tap inputs are used to select and apply effects to game objects, then the user can interact with the game interface, but the process becomes tedious and creates significant cognitive burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of selecting and applying effectsVSAvoidcomplexity of input sequence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate input operations (selecting effect, selecting target, applying effect) into a single continuous gesture. A user performs one drag gesture from the effect selection panel to the game object, which simultaneously selects the effect, identifies the target, and applies the effect, eliminating the need for multiple separate tap operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single continuous gesture serves multiple functions: it selects the effect from the effect selection panel, identifies the target game object, and triggers the application of the effect. This multi-functional gesture replaces the traditional multi-step process requiring separate actions for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sequence of tap inputs is used to browse and select effect selection affordances, then the user can choose from multiple effects, but the process takes longer than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of selectable effectsVSAvoidtime to select and apply effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The effect selection panel is displayed in advance showing all available effects before the user needs to apply one. The user can visually scan and mentally select the desired effect while moving the gesture, rather than having to navigate through menus or wait for effects to load during the selection process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The browsing, selection, and application of effects are merged into a single continuous gesture operation. The user drags from the pre-displayed effect selection panel directly to the target object, combining what would traditionally be separate browsing and selection steps into one fluid motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple gestures and inputs are required for game controls, then the user can precisely control game actions, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of game controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate input gestures are merged into a single continuous drag gesture that performs the function of selecting an effect, identifying a target, and applying the effect. This reduces the total number of gesture operations the device's touch sensor must process, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining control precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The input process is transformed from discrete, interrupted tap operations into a continuous drag gesture. This continuous action allows the device to process the input more efficiently in a single operation rather than multiple separate events, reducing the cumulative energy cost of processing multiple input sequences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11331572B2Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing game controls

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays an interaction region that includes one or more interaction objects. While displaying the interaction region, the device displays an effect selection panel that includes effect selection affordances that correspond to different predefined effects. In response to detecting a consecutive sequence of one or more inputs, the device selects a first effect selection affordance in accordance with a first contact, displays a first visual indication that indicates selection of the first effect selection affordance and identifies at least one interaction object as being linked to the first effect selection affordance; and applies the first effect to the identified interaction object in accordance with a termination of the first contact on the touch-sensitive surface while the first effect selection affordance remains selected.