Touch Screen Selection Device with Dynamic Sectioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing one-hand operation devices, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, are limited to simple Yes or No responses and are not suitable for selecting a desired object from multiple options, necessitating a solution for easy object selection in such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A selection device and method that uses a touch screen to detect operations, divides the screen area into sections based on object positions, and confirms selections through a confirmer, allowing for easy selection of objects by partitioning the detection area with dividers and highlighting associated objects during touch operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the touch screen displays multiple selection objects, then the user can choose from more options, but the user cannot easily reach and select objects with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of selectable objectsVSAvoidone-hand selection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection area of the touch screen is divided into multiple sections based on the positions of displayed objects and the detection position. Each section corresponds to a specific object or group of objects, allowing the user to select objects by touching within the corresponding section rather than directly touching the object itself. This segmentation enables one-hand operation across the entire screen area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary selection mechanism where the detection position and divided sections act as intermediaries between the user's touch and the target object. Instead of requiring direct contact with the object, the system uses the detected touch position to determine which section is activated, and consequently which object is selected. This intermediary approach allows users to select objects from anywhere on the screen using one hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the touch screen area is large, then more objects can be displayed, but objects become harder to reach and select with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch screen areaVSAvoidone-hand reachability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The large touch screen area is segmented into multiple detection sections radiating from the detection position. Each section covers a specific angular or spatial range, allowing users to select objects across the entire large screen area by touching within the corresponding section, even if the objects themselves are not within direct reach of the user's finger.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the detection area is divided into sections, then one-hand selection becomes possible, but the detection and selection process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-hand selection capabilityVSAvoiddetection and selection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection area is divided into sections based on geometric relationships (radiating lines or curves from the detection position) rather than fixed grid patterns. This dynamic segmentation adapts to the detection position and object布局, simplifying the logic needed to determine which object corresponds to which section while still enabling comprehensive one-hand selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The section divisions are dynamic rather than static, adjusting based on the detection position and the positions of displayed objects. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simple selection logic while adapting to different screen layouts and detection positions, reducing the overall complexity of the selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3647927B1Selection device, selection method, program, and non-transitory computer-readable information recording medium
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 RAKUTEN GROUP INC
  • EP3647927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3647927B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3647927B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A selection device (100) displays objects that are selection subjects on a touch screen, and selects an object according to an operation performed on the touch screen. In this selection device (100), a detector (130) detects a touch operation performed on the touch screen. A divider (150) divides the detection area of the touch screen into a plurality of sections on the basis of the positions of the objects that are currently displayed and the detection position where the detector (130) detected the touch operation. When an operation of selecting one of the sections divided by the divider (150) is detected, a confirmer (160) confirms the selection of the object that corresponds to the selected section.