Touch Panel Dictionary Display with Pinch Gesture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact-size electronic devices are inadequate for browsing dictionary information, as they require users to manually arrange and scroll through word meanings and switch between different explanations, making it difficult for users to access necessary information simply.
Innovation Solution
An information displaying apparatus with a touch-panel, multi-touch detection, and a display control unit that adjusts the display of dictionary information based on user gestures, allowing users to pinch in or out to toggle between detailed and simplified explanations, enabling easy browsing of dictionary content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If dictionary explanation information is displayed with all word meanings and detailed explanations, then information completeness is improved, but screen space utilization deteriorates and user operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display adjustment where the explanation information display changes based on touch operation type. When a user performs a pinch-out gesture, the system expands to show detailed explanation information. When a user performs a pinch-in gesture, the system contracts to show only essential information. This dynamic adaptation allows the same interface to serve different information needs without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display parameter (amount of information shown) based on the touch operation detected. The display switches between two states: a condensed state showing only essential explanation information and an expanded state showing detailed explanation information. This parameter change is triggered by the distance between touch points, allowing users to control information density without complex manual operations.
2Loss of information
If all explanation information is displayed at once, then information accessibility is improved, but screen real estate is reduced and reading comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the explanation information into two categories: essential information and detailed information. The display shows essential information by default, preserving screen real estate for other content. When users need more detail, they can trigger the expanded view through pinch-out gesture. This segmentation allows the system to maximize screen utilization while maintaining information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by displaying only the essential explanation information initially, rather than all information at once. This partial display preserves screen space for other dictionary content. Users who need more information can activate the detailed view through touch operations. This approach avoids information overload while ensuring essential information remains accessible.
3Ease of operation
If dictionary information is displayed in fixed format, then display simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed display format into a dynamic one that automatically adapts to user needs based on touch operations. The display switches between condensed and expanded states according to whether users perform pinch-in or pinch-out gestures. This dynamic adaptation maintains simplicity for most users while providing versatility when needed, without requiring multiple manual configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service adaptability by automatically adjusting the display format based on detected touch operations. Users simply need to perform the appropriate gesture (pinch-in for condensed view, pinch-out for expanded view), and the system automatically transitions between display states. This eliminates the need for complex manual switching or multiple interface configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An information displaying apparatus having a touch-panel display unit is provided. An information obtaining unit obtains explanation information of a direction word specified by user, and displays the obtained explanation information of the direction word on the touch-panel displaying unit. When the user touches on the touch-panel display unit, a multi-touch detecting unit detects touch positions on the touch-panel display unit. A shift judging unit judges whether a distance between the detected touch positions has increased or decreased, when the user shifts the touch positions on the touch-panel display unit. A display-information controlling unit displays detailed explanation information of the direction word, when the shift judging unit determines that the distance between the touch positions has increased, and displays simplified explanation information of the direction word, when the shift judging unit determines that the distance between the touch positions has decreased.