Touch Interface Page Navigation via Edge Drag

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Solution Overview

Problem

The small display size and interface limitations of smartphones make it difficult to accurately move objects between pages using a touchpad, as existing methods require cumbersome navigation through multiple screens.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allows users to move objects between pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen, triggering the display of multiple pages inclined in a depth direction, and then selecting the target page, simplifying the process with touch and drag inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the display size is reduced for portability, then the device becomes more portable, but the accuracy of user input on the touchpad deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoiduser input accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a depth dimension to the display by showing multiple pages in an inclined depth direction. When an object is dragged to the screen edge, the system transitions from displaying a single flat page to displaying multiple pages stacked in depth, allowing users to select target pages from different depths without requiring larger horizontal or vertical screen space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional page navigation methods are used, then the system maintains simple implementation, but the complexity of moving objects between pages increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoidobject movement between pages
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the object selection action with the page navigation action. By allowing users to drag objects to the screen edge to trigger multi-page display, and then dragging within the displayed pages to move objects, the system combines what would traditionally be separate operations (selecting target page, then moving object) into a unified drag-based interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined depth direction display acts as an intermediary visualization that mediates between the user's drag gesture and the underlying page navigation logic. The visual representation of multiple pages in depth provides an intuitive interface for understanding which pages are available and how to navigate between them, simplifying the interaction model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2659347B1Method for moving object between pages and interface apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2659347B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(e)
  • EP2659347B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP2659347B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6

AI summary

A method and apparatus for moving an object between pages is provided. The method includes displaying a first page including an object; generating a first signal in response to the object on the first page being moved to a predetermined area of the first page; displaying a plurality of pages, including the first page, in response to the first signal; generating a second signal in response to the object being moved to overlap with a second page; and moving the object to the second page in response to the second signal.