Touch Screen Game Interface Trajectory Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a user interface for computer games on devices with limited display resources that effectively engages users by providing rewarding gameplay and feedback without frustrating them, especially on smartphones and tablets where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration for a touch screen user interface that determines the position and trajectory of a user's finger movement to differentiate between selecting game objects and scrolling through a list, using components in orthogonal directions to manage display updates and object selection, allowing for efficient use of limited screen space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a list of game objects is displayed in a portion of the first display area, then users can access more game objects, but the available display space for the game board is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal scrolling to vertical scrolling for the game object list, utilizing the orthogonal direction (second component) to display additional game objects. This dimensional change allows the list to occupy vertical space rather than competing horizontally with the game board, effectively increasing accessible game objects without significantly reducing game board area.
2Measurement precision
If the user interface distinguishes between scrolling and selecting based on finger trajectory, then object selection becomes more accurate, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment for trajectory component comparison. The system evaluates the first component (horizontal) and second component (vertical) of finger movement trajectories, using configurable thresholds to dynamically determine whether the user intends to scroll or select. This dynamic approach adapts to different interaction contexts while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
3Quantity of substance
If vertical scrolling is enabled for game objects, then more objects can be displayed, but the differentiation between scrolling and selecting gestures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the magnitude and direction of finger trajectory components in real-time. By comparing the first component (horizontal) and second component (vertical) against configurable thresholds, the system provides implicit feedback through visual indicators showing the user whether their gesture will result in scrolling or object selection, making gesture differentiation easier even with vertical scrolling enabled.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a computer implemented method of controlling a user interface and displaying a game board arrangement, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor in communication with said interface and at least one memory: displaying a subset of a set of game objects, each game object having one or more characteristics, information on said subset of game objects and said game objects being stored in said at least one memory, determining a position and trajectory of movement in dependence on user input via said user interface, executing an algorithm for determining if a particular game object is to be selected or if a different subset of game objects is to be displayed in dependence on the position and trajectory of movement and the stored information on said subset of game objects, updating said subset of game objects and information such that the particular game object is selected or a different subset of game objects is displayed; and displaying said updated subset of objects.