Touch UI Duplicate Content Mode Gesture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch sensitive computing devices lack an intuitive method for duplicating content across different locations without deleting the original content, especially on devices with limited display space like smartphones and eReaders.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a duplicate content mode that uses a multiple contact point drag and drop gesture, allowing users to copy content from one location to another using multiple fingers or a stylus, with options to select additional content during the gesture and across applications, and configurable settings for user preference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single contact point drag and drop gesture is used, then the device operation is simple, but the functionality is limited to moving content only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent manipulation functionalityVSAvoidgesture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of contact points from single to multiple (two or more fingers) to differentiate between move and copy operations. This parameter change enables the system to provide different functionalities (move vs. copy) based on the number of contact points, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring separate buttons or menus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the concept of copying by allowing users to create a duplicate of content through a two-finger drag and drop gesture. The system copies the content from the source location to the target location while preserving the original, providing a intuitive copy function that mirrors physical paper handling behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If content is copied to a new location, then the user has content redundancy, but the original content location becomes unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent duplication capabilityVSAvoidcontent location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements visual feedback mechanisms that show the user the source and destination locations of copied content. The interface provides confirmation indicators and visual cues that maintain awareness of content locations, preventing information loss about where content resides after copying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple contact point gestures are implemented, then content copying functionality is enabled, but the learning curve increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent copying functionVSAvoiduser learning curve

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the natural parameter of finger count (one vs. two or more) as an intuitive discriminator between move and copy operations. This leverages common physical experiences where people use one finger to point/move and multiple fingers to handle/copy objects, reducing the learning curve through familiar physical metaphors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9152321B2Touch sensitive UI technique for duplicating content

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE BOOKSELLERS

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for providing a duplicate content mode in touch sensitive computing devices. The duplicate content mode can be used to copy content or objects to a target location using a multiple contact point drag and drop gesture. For example, the duplicate content mode may be used to copy files from a first folder to a second folder. In some cases, the duplicate content mode drag and drop gesture is initiated using multiple contact points, such as two or more fingers, but may transition to a smaller number of contact points, such as one finger, once initiated. In some cases, the user may be able to select additional content after initiating the drag and drop gesture. Once the content has been copied to the target location, the user can then share or organize the content to the users liking.