Touch-Based Window Resizing via Edge Snap and Auto-Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen computing devices, especially mobile devices, face difficulties in efficiently managing and manipulating application windows due to their smaller screen size, making it challenging to resize and reposition them effectively using finger movements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to select and drag application windows or thumbnails to the edges of the display area using multiple fingers, enabling automatic resizing and repositioning based on touch inputs, with the processor identifying edge contacts and executing instructions for window management policies to optimize screen layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mouse-based window manipulation is used on touch-based displays, then precision control is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in manipulating small interface elements with fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual guides and snap points as intermediary elements between the user's finger touch and the window positioning. When a user drags a window toward an edge or corner, visual indicators appear to guide the user, and the window automatically snaps to predefined positions, making precision positioning easy with finger touches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display area into distinct regions with predefined window positions along edges and corners. Instead of allowing continuous free positioning, the window can only be placed in these segmented, predefined locations, which simplifies the interaction and makes precision positioning intuitive
2Area of stationary object
If multiple application windows are displayed on smaller touch-based screens, then screen space utilization is improved, but device complexity increases due to difficulty in managing window layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes valid window positions and layout configurations along the edges and corners of the display. These predefined positions are prepared in advance, so when a user drags a window to an edge, the system already has predetermined locations ready, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic window management where the system automatically adjusts and repositions multiple windows based on user actions. When one window is resized or moved to a predefined position, other windows automatically adjust their positions and sizes to accommodate the change, maintaining an optimized layout without requiring manual intervention
3Ease of operation
If automatic window alignment is implemented upon dragging to edges, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for touch detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines snap zones and tolerance regions around the predefined edge and corner positions. These zones are established in advance to account for variations in touch detection accuracy, ensuring that as long as the user drags the window into the general vicinity of an edge, the automatic alignment will successfully snap the window to the correct position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the edge areas into distinct snap zones with clear boundaries and tolerance regions. By segmenting the detection area and establishing predefined acceptance zones, the system can reliably determine when a user intends to position a window at an edge, reducing the impact of touch detection variability
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for improving application window displays in a multi-window graphical user interface in a touch-based computing device is discussed. By selecting an application window or corresponding thumbnail icon in a multi-window graphical user interface using a finger touch and dragging the application window or icon to an edge of the screen indicated by another finger, the edge of the selected application window may be automatically aligned with respect to that screen edge. Additionally, already open application windows may be automatically re-sized and re-positioned to accommodate the newly re-sized application window.