Touch Interface Gesture Switching Between Authentication Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for switching between two user interfaces on touch-sensitive electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, creating a cognitive burden on users and wasting energy, especially in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that allows users to toggle between two user interfaces, such as text-based and gesture-based authentication interfaces, by detecting specific gestures on a touch-sensitive surface, where a graphical object moves between interfaces to indicate the transition, facilitating quick and efficient switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional menu-based methods are used to switch between user interfaces, then users can access multiple interfaces, but the cognitive burden increases and switching time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple user interfacesVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the user interface switching process into distinct, recognizable gesture patterns (e.g., swipe left, swipe right, circular motion) that map to different interface transitions. Each gesture type is associated with a specific function, allowing users to access multiple interfaces through simple, segmented actions rather than navigating complex menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a graphical object as an intermediary visual indicator that responds to gestures and guides users through interface transitions. This graphical object serves as a mediator between the user's gesture input and the interface switching output, providing visual feedback and reducing cognitive load by making the switching process transparent and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional menu-based methods are used to switch between user interfaces, then users can access multiple interfaces, but switching time increases and energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple user interfacesVSAvoidswitching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the graphical object and pre-loading interface data in anticipation of user gestures. When a gesture is detected, the interface transition can begin immediately without requiring menu navigation or processing delays, significantly reducing switching time while maintaining access to multiple interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables direct interface switching by skipping intermediate menu steps and navigation layers. Users can transition between interfaces through single gestures that directly trigger the desired interface change, bypassing the time-consuming menu exploration required by conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional menu-based methods are used to switch between user interfaces, then users can access multiple interfaces, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple user interfacesVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by implementing gesture-based interface switching that activates only when needed, rather than continuously monitoring menu states. The touch-sensitive surface remains in a low-power state until a gesture is detected, at which point the interface transition occurs efficiently and the system returns to standby, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining interface accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Speed

If gesture-based switching is implemented, then switching speed increases and power is conserved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface switching speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single graphical object that performs multiple functions: it serves as a visual indicator, a gesture target, a transition guide, and a feedback mechanism. This multi-functional approach accelerates interface switching while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10620794B2Device, method, and graphical user interface for switching between two user interfaces

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays a first authentication user interface on the display, the first authentication user interface including a text entry field for entering a text-based authentication code; detects a first input by a user on the touch-sensitive surface while displaying the first authentication user interface; in response to detecting the first input, displays a second authentication user interface on the display, distinct from the first authentication user interface, the second authentication user interface configured for entering a gesture-based authentication code; while displaying the second authentication user interface, detects one or more gestures by the user at locations on the touch-sensitive surface that correspond to locations on the second authentication user interface; and authenticates the user in accordance with a determination that the detected one or more gestures correspond to a gesture-based authentication code for the user.