Touch-Intensity Gesture Preview for Mobile Interface Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manipulating user interfaces on electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, leading to increased energy consumption and cognitive burden, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses a touch-sensitive surface with sensors to detect contact intensity, allowing for intuitive gestures such as previewing content by adjusting the intensity of contact, which enables faster and more efficient interaction with user interface objects without opening new application windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing methods for manipulating user interfaces are used, then basic functionality is achieved, but cognitive burden increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecognitive burdenVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects contact intensity and determines the appropriate action (preview vs. open) without requiring the user to perform additional gestures or cognitive steps. The touch-sensitive surface itself provides the differentiation mechanism through intensity detection, making the system self-serve the user's intent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes contact intensity as a variable parameter to differentiate between user actions. By monitoring the intensity parameter of the touch contact, the system can distinguish between a light tap (preview) and a firm press (open), eliminating the need for separate gestures and reducing cognitive burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If existing methods for manipulating user interfaces are used, then basic functionality is achieved, but interaction speed decreases and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction efficiencyVSAvoidinteraction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of contact intensity during the user's natural interaction gesture. By determining whether to preview or open the content during the contact itself (rather than requiring a separate decision step), the system accelerates the interaction workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables users to skip the intermediate step of opening an application window when merely previewing content is desired. By using light contact intensity to trigger preview directly, users can quickly scan content without going through the full application launch sequence, thus rushing through unnecessary steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Ease of operation

If contact intensity detection is implemented, then intuitive gestures and faster interaction are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture intuitivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical button systems or multi-gesture mechanisms with a simpler touch-sensitive surface that detects contact intensity. This substitution maintains ease of operation while actually reducing mechanical complexity, as the intensity detection can be achieved through existing capacitive or resistive touch technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Duration of action of moving object

If application windows are opened for content viewing, then full functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by providing a preview function that delivers sufficient information for most user needs without the full overhead of opening an application window. This partial viewing capability satisfies the majority of information-gathering requirements while consuming significantly less power, thereby extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11068153B2Device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, that includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, displays a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons include a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application. While a focus selector is over the respective application icon, the device detects a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: when the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, the device displays an application window of the respective application; and when the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, the device displays a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application.