Touch Screen Scroll Rate Control via Pressing Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile information devices require users to perform multiple drag motions to scroll large amounts of information into view, which is inefficient and inconvenient, especially when information is distant from the screen edge, as existing scrolling techniques either limit movement distance or make it difficult to adjust scroll rates effectively.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device equipped with a pressing-force sensor, motion-recognizing unit, and scroll controller that determines a post-drag scroll rate based on the magnitude of the pressing force, allowing for continuous or stepwise adjustment of scroll rates after a drag motion, enabling faster and more intuitive scrolling of out-of-view regions by maintaining a higher scroll rate and providing haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drag motion scrolling is used, then the user can scroll the image, but the user must repeat drag motions multiple times to bring distant out-of-view regions into view, which is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scroll rate variable rather than fixed. The scroll rate dynamically changes based on the user's pressing force magnitude, allowing the system to adapt to different scrolling needs. When the user presses harder, the scroll rate increases, enabling faster traversal of distant content without requiring multiple separate drag motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scroll rate from a constant value to a variable value determined by pressing force magnitude. This parameter change allows the scrolling operation to be more efficient - users can bring distant out-of-view regions into view faster by applying greater pressing force, thereby reducing the time required compared to conventional fixed-rate scrolling.
2Productivity
If the scroll rate is increased to bring distant regions faster, then scrolling efficiency improves, but the user must maintain constant intense finger pressure which is tiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through inertia-based continuous scrolling. After the user releases their finger, the scrolling continues at the last determined scroll rate for a period of time due to inertia, rather than stopping immediately. This allows users to achieve fast scrolling without maintaining constant pressure - they only need to apply pressure momentarily to set the desired scroll rate, then the system maintains it automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically maintaining the scroll rate after the user releases their finger. The inertia mechanism allows the scrolling to continue without further user input, and the system autonomously manages the scroll rate based on the last detected pressing force, reducing the burden on the user to constantly adjust pressure.
3Volume of moving object
If virtual buttons are used instead of physical buttons, then the device can be downsized with improved mobility, but the operability may become poorer due to smaller interaction targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressing force detection with an electronic sensor system. The pressing-force sensor electronically detects the magnitude of finger pressure and converts it into scroll rate control, substituting mechanical leverage systems with electronic sensing and control. This allows for more precise and nuanced control of scrolling behavior through subtle variations in finger pressure rather than requiring large discrete button presses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by mapping the continuous range of pressing force magnitudes to different scroll rates. This creates a nuanced control mechanism where subtle variations in finger pressure result in proportional variations in scroll speed, providing fine-grained control that enhances operability despite the small size of the touch interface targets.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to quickly bring distant and out-of-view regions of information into view with simplified motions, improving usability by allowing continuous adjustment of scroll rates and maintaining a higher scroll rate without requiring constant intense finger pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing-force sensor detecting a magnitude of a pressing force with which the user presses the touch screen
Data Source
AI summary
A process is disclosed of scrolling an image on a user interface device configured to display the image on a display screen and enable a user to input with the user's finger touch on a touch screen in association with the displayed image, the process including: scrolling the image in response to the finger's drag motion on the touch screen; and, in response to an event occurring in which, after the drag motion ended, the finger is held in touch with the touch screen at substantially the same location as where the finger was located when the drag motion ended, without releasing from the touch screen, further scrolling the image to perform follow-up scrolling, after experiencing an idle period or not.