Touch Interface Cues for Input Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in identifying the precise location for input on touch interfaces, such as touchpads or digitizers, especially when interacting with sub-elements like virtual buttons, due to the lack of pre-execution indication, which is exacerbated by the reduction in size of these interfaces.

Innovation Solution

Providing visual, audible, or other cues to indicate the predicted landing location of an object on the touch surface, allowing users to reposition before providing actionable inputs, and confirming the intended input location before execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the touch interface size is reduced, then device portability is improved, but user ability to identify precise input location deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch interface sizeVSAvoidinput location identification precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the object's position on the touch surface before the user completes the input action. By detecting and displaying the predicted landing location in advance, the system allows users to reposition before providing actionable inputs, thereby maintaining precision despite the reduced interface size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying cues at the detected object position on the touch surface. This feedback loop enables users to see where their input is being detected and adjust their positioning accordingly, compensating for the difficulty in identifying precise locations on smaller interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If no pre-execution indication is provided, then interface simplicity is maintained, but user confidence in input placement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface complexityVSAvoiduser confidence in input placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system displays a predicted landing location cue before the user completes their input action. This pre-execution indication shows users where their input will be registered, building confidence in placement without requiring complex confirmation procedures after the input is made.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The predicted landing location cue acts as an intermediary between the user's physical touch and the system's interpretation of that touch. It translates the raw touch position into a meaningful visual indicator that builds user confidence while maintaining interface simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9182904B2Cues based on location and context for touch interface

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

An embodiment provides a method, comprising: detecting an object positioned relative to a touch surface of an information handling device; determining a position on the touch surface at which the object is located; associating the position on the touch screen with a cue type; and providing a cue of the cue type associated with the position, the cue indicating the determined position of the touch surface. Other aspects are described and claimed.