Touch Interface Restricted Interaction Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for configuring restricted interactions on electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring users to navigate multiple menus and screens, wasting time and energy, especially in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to enter an interaction configuration mode where user interface objects can be selected for deactivation through simple touch inputs, and upon exiting, the device enters a restricted interaction mode where selected objects are disabled, reducing the need for extra configuration steps and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users navigate through multiple menus and screens to configure restricted interactions using existing methods, then the device can be configured for restricted interaction, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and energy-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestricted interaction configurationVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by allowing users to configure restricted interactions directly on the home screen by long-pressing application icons. This preliminary configuration action eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menus and screens later, as the restrictions are applied immediately at the point of interaction, significantly reducing configuration time while ensuring reliable restricted interaction setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If users navigate through multiple menus and screens to configure restricted interactions, then the device can be configured for restricted interaction, but energy is wasted during the configuration process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestricted interaction configurationVSAvoidconfiguration energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces energy consumption during configuration by enabling users to set up restricted interactions directly on the home screen through long-pressing icons. This preliminary action approach eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menu screens, thereby reducing the time the display and processor remain active and significantly lowering energy consumption during the configuration process while maintaining reliable restricted interaction setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If existing configuration methods are used, then restricted interaction can be configured, but the cognitive burden on users increases due to multiple navigation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestricted interaction configurationVSAvoidconfiguration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent significantly improves ease of operation by allowing users to configure restricted interactions directly on the home screen by long-pressing application icons. This preliminary action eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menus and screens, reducing the cognitive burden and number of steps required. Users can immediately see which applications will be restricted by simply long-pressing the icons they wish to limit, making the configuration process intuitive and straightforward while ensuring reliable restricted interaction setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2610722B1Device, method and graphical user interface for configuring restricted interaction with a user interface
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 APPLE INC
  • EP2610722B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2610722B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2610722B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electronic device, while in an interaction configuration mode: displays a first user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects; and, while displaying the first user interface, detects one or more gesture inputs on a touch-sensitive surface. For a respective gesture input, the device determines whether one or more user interface objects of the plurality of user interface objects correspond to the respective gesture input. The device visually distinguishes a first set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs from a second set of user interface objects in the plurality of user interface objects that do not correspond to the detected one or more gesture inputs. The device detects an input; and, in response to detecting the input, exits the interaction configuration mode and enters a restricted interaction mode.