Touch-Sensitive Surface Accessibility Navigation Methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing accessibility interfaces on devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient for users with impaired vision, leading to a significant cognitive burden and increased energy consumption in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of new accessibility methods and user interfaces that allow users to navigate and interact with user interface elements on devices with touch-sensitive surfaces using finger gestures, providing audible and haptic feedback, which can change the focus on user interface elements independently of their location on the screen, and adjust navigation settings without contacting specific elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional accessibility interfaces are used on touch-sensitive surfaces, then users with impaired vision can navigate user interface elements, but the navigation process becomes cumbersome and creates significant cognitive burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of navigationVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides audible feedback when a user interface element is selected or when the focus moves between elements. This feedback mechanism helps users with impaired vision confirm their navigation actions and understand the current state of the interface without visual confirmation, thereby reducing cognitive burden while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional visual-mechanical interaction with auditory feedback mechanisms. Instead of relying on visual cues and manual manipulation, the system uses sound to convey navigation status and element information, substituting a complex visual-processing task with a simpler auditory feedback loop that reduces cognitive demands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If existing accessibility methods are used, then users can navigate user interface elements, but the process takes longer and wastes energy in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic audible notifications that announce user interface elements at regular intervals during navigation. This periodic action provides continuous information flow without requiring continuous processing, allowing the device to maintain navigation assistance while consuming energy efficiently through rhythmic rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The accessibility interface operates autonomously by automatically announcing elements and providing feedback without requiring additional user input or processing. The system serves itself by generating and delivering navigation information passively, reducing the computational overhead and energy consumption associated with active user-directed navigation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If touch-based navigation is implemented, then users can interact with user interface elements, but the interface remains inefficient for users with impaired vision

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidnavigation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive surface serves multiple functions: it detects user input, provides tactile feedback through haptic responses, and enables audible navigation assistance. This multi-functionality allows the same interface to serve both sighted and visually impaired users efficiently, enhancing accessibility without sacrificing navigation speed or efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds an auditory dimension to the traditional visual-tactile interface. By incorporating sound as a third mode of communication alongside visual display and tactile feedback, the interface becomes more versatile and adaptable to users with impaired vision while maintaining the efficiency of touch-based navigation through multi-sensory engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10474351B2Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for accessibility using a touch-sensitive surface

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

An accessibility method is performed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a plurality of user interface elements on the display; in response to detecting a first user interface navigation gesture by a finger on the touch-sensitive surface, navigating in the plurality of user interface elements in accordance with a current navigable unit type; in response to detecting a first user interface navigation setting gesture on the touch-sensitive surface: changing the current navigable unit type from the first navigable unit type to a second navigable unit type; and outputting accessibility information about the second navigable unit type; after changing the current navigable unit type, in response to detecting a second user interface navigation gesture by the finger on the touch-sensitive surface, navigating in the plurality of user interface elements in accordance with the current navigable unit type.