Touch Gesture Quick Launch Interface for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch screen devices limit quick access to functionalities not directly associated with the current application or screen, requiring multiple interactions to access additional functions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a touch gesture, such as a swipe gesture from the edge to the middle of the screen, with a defined threshold or motion delay, to trigger the display of quick launch icons, allowing access to predefined or dynamically determined functional elements, enabling quick access to applications or functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch screen display is used for user interface, then ease of information transfer and user convenience are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the information display interface and the input interface for user interactions. The system integrates various applications and services within a unified touch-based framework, allowing the same hardware component to handle diverse user needs without requiring additional specialized interfaces

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gesture recognition system that acts as an intermediary layer between the user's physical touch actions and the device's functional responses. This mediator interprets touch gestures (such as swiping, tapping, or pinching patterns) and translates them into appropriate application launches or system commands, reducing the need for complex physical buttons while maintaining intuitive control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple interactions are required to access functionalities, then device security and control precision are improved, but access time and user efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice securityVSAvoidaccess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-positions frequently accessed applications and functions in easily reachable locations on the interface, such as the home screen or dock areas. Quick launch icons are strategically placed for immediate access without requiring users to navigate through multiple menus or screens, thus reducing access time while maintaining security through controlled gesture requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically adjusts based on user behavior patterns, frequently used applications, and context. The system can adaptively reorganize quick access icons, suggest relevant functions, or modify gesture sensitivity in real-time, allowing efficient access to commonly needed features while maintaining security for sensitive operations through configurable gesture complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If quick access icons are displayed, then access speed and user efficiency are improved, but information clutter and interface complexity increase

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

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly distributing all possible icons across the interface, the system applies local quality by placing quick access icons only in specific, strategically chosen locations such as the home screen, dock area, or context-relevant regions. Each location serves a specific purpose with appropriately selected icons, maintaining clarity while providing quick access to frequently used functions without overwhelming the entire interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The interface employs nested organization where quick access icons can be contained within collapsible panels, context-sensitive menus, or layered overlays that appear only when needed. This nesting approach allows multiple levels of functionality to coexist in a compact manner, providing rapid access to common functions while keeping the base interface clean and uncluttered

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2710455B1Method and apparatus for providing quick access to device functionality
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2710455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2710455B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method for providing quick access to device functionality responsive to a touch gesture may include receiving an indication of a swipe gesture being performed from a first predefined portion of a display to a second predefined portion of a touch screen display, classifying the swipe gesture as a trigger gesture based on insertion of a motion delay of at least a threshold period of time in connection with the swipe gesture, and causing, in response to classifying the trigger gesture, a display of a predefined set of functional elements that cause execution of a corresponding function when a respective one of the predefined set of functional elements is selected. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.