Touch UI Object Movement With Integrated Long-Press Gestures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for interacting with user interface objects on touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome, inefficient, and energy-consuming, particularly in battery-operated devices, requiring multiple gestures and creating a cognitive burden on users.

Innovation Solution

The integration of long press and movement requirements into a single contact gesture for interacting with user interface objects, allowing for simultaneous display of selectable options and object movement, and the use of tactile outputs to enhance user interaction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional mouse-based inputs are used to select and manipulate user interface objects, then the manipulation functions can be performed, but the process becomes tedious and creates a significant cognitive burden on users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manipulating user interface objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of input sequence
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate input actions (selection, manipulation, and context menu activation) into a single continuous gesture. Users can select and manipulate user interface objects using a unified touch gesture that eliminates the need for separate mouse clicks and menu activations, thereby reducing operational complexity and cognitive burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive display serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both the selection mechanism and the manipulation interface. The same touch input that selects an object also enables manipulation modes and context menu access, making the interface more universal and reducing the number of different input modes users must learn.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional multi-step methods are used for user interface object manipulation, then complete functionality is achieved, but the process takes longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of user interface object manipulationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by displaying context menus and manipulation options immediately upon detecting the initial touch gesture, without requiring users to complete separate selection steps first. This preliminary display of options allows users to proceed directly to manipulation tasks, reducing overall interaction time and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous useful action by allowing users to manipulate objects throughout the entire duration of their touch gesture, rather than requiring discrete start-stop cycles. The manipulation functionality remains active and responsive throughout the continuous touch input, maximizing productivity while minimizing idle time and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate gestures are required for selecting and manipulating user interface objects, then precise control is achieved, but the number of user inputs increases, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of user inputsVSAvoidtime for user interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the selection gesture and manipulation gesture into a single continuous touch input on the touch-sensitive display. Users interact with user interface objects through one unified gesture sequence that combines what would traditionally require multiple separate mouse clicks and menu selections, thereby reducing both the number of inputs and the time required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If conventional touch interface methods are used, then user interaction is possible, but the interface requires more inputs than necessary, creating inefficiency in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of user interactionVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive display is designed to provide universal access to multiple functions through a single interface mechanism. The same touch gesture that selects an object also activates manipulation modes and context menus, eliminating the need for separate input mechanisms and reducing the overall number of processing cycles required, thereby conserving battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4036701B1Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for moving user interface objects
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 APPLE INC
  • EP4036701B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4036701B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4036701B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure integrates different gestures such that the same contact(s) may be used to provide the required inputs to accomplish multiple operations, e.g., by integrating a long press requirement and/or a movement requirement into the criteria for some of these operations. In addition, movement by a different number of contacts is optionally used as an alternative way to a long press input followed by movement of the contact(s) when moving an object and/or displaying selectable options. Furthermore, placement of an object that is being moved is configured such that the object or copy thereof is less likely to interfere with the user's viewing of the underlying user interface and/or content.