Touch Screen Gesture for Object Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch-screen interfaces require multiple gestures and clicks to copy and paste modeled objects, which is neither natural nor productive, especially on devices without keyboards or using fingers/stylus, leading to an overloaded layout and significant finger or stylus distance.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows duplicating a modeled object on a touch screen in a single gesture by detecting contact within an activation zone for a predetermined time, followed by performing design operations such as shifting, re-scaling, rotation, or reshaping while maintaining contact, with visual feedback provided upon duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional copy-paste techniques (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) are used on touch screens, then object duplication function is achieved, but the operation requires multiple gestures, clicks, and significant finger/stylus distance making it unnatural and unproductive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the selection, duplication, and placement operations into a single continuous gesture. The user selects an object by tapping and holding, then drags the duplicate to the desired location without lifting the finger, combining multiple discrete operations into one fluid action that reduces time and improves ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically creating a duplicate of the selected object when the user initiates the copy operation. The duplicate is prepared in advance and ready for immediate placement, eliminating the need for separate copy and paste steps and reducing overall operation time
2Productivity
If drag-and-drop technique is used to move objects, then object relocation is achieved, but the technique does not allow copying objects, requiring additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior where the dragged object can transition between modes. When the user presses and holds the select button during dragging, the system dynamically switches from moving the original object to moving a duplicate, enabling copy operations without adding complexity to the basic drag-and-drop interaction
3Reliability
If multiple gestures and clicks are used for copy-paste operations, then complete object duplication is achieved, but the layout becomes overloaded and interaction becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the system automatically create and position object duplicates based on the user's drag gesture. The system handles the complex tasks of object selection, duplication, and placement automatically, reducing the burden on the user and simplifying the interaction while maintaining reliable duplication functionality
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for duplicating a modeled object displayed on a touch screen and designing its duplicated version in a single gesture. The method comprises detecting (201) contact of an appendage within an activation zone associated to the first modeled object. If the contact is maintained more than a predetermined amount of time Tm (202), the method duplicates (203) the first modeled object into a second modeled object. The method, while maintaining contact between the appendage and the touch screen, performs at least one design operation (204) on the second modeled object depending of the movement of the appendage on the touch screen.