Touchpad Object Selection via Cursor Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional object-selecting techniques using a touchscreen are slow, error-prone, and inconvenient, especially when selecting objects near the edge of the screen, as they require precise cursor alignment and finger lifting between selections.
Innovation Solution
An object-selecting method that uses a touchpad to detect touch spots, determines adjacent objects, and displays them prominently on the screen, allowing selection by moving the touch spot towards the desired object without lifting the finger, enabling fast and accurate selection of objects near the screen edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional object-selecting techniques are used, then the selection process can be completed, but the selection speed is slow and requires frequent finger lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous selection by maintaining touch contact on the touchpad throughout the selection process. The cursor extension remains visible and selectable without requiring finger lifting, allowing seamless transition between objects. This continuous interaction eliminates the time loss associated with lifting and repositioning the finger between selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions the cursor extension at the location where the finger is currently touching the touchpad. This preliminary positioning of the cursor extension allows immediate selection of the overlapped object without requiring the user to move the cursor manually first, reducing selection time and eliminating the need to lift the finger for repositioning.
2Measurement precision
If conventional object-selecting techniques are used, then objects can be selected, but selection accuracy decreases when objects are near the screen edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the cursor beyond the visible screen area into the touchpad region. This dimensional extension allows users to access and select objects near the screen edge by touching the extended cursor area on the touchpad, which is not possible with conventional techniques limited to the screen display area. The cursor extension creates an additional interaction zone that improves both accuracy and ease of operation for edge objects.
3Reliability
If conventional object-selecting techniques are used, then objects can be selected, but error rates increase when multiple objects are overlapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual qualities to distinguish objects in the overlap region. The cursor extension is displayed with enhanced visibility and distinct characteristics compared to regular cursor positioning. This local quality enhancement in the overlap region makes it easier to detect which object is currently overlapped by the finger, reducing selection errors and improving reliability when multiple objects are present.
Data Source
AI summary
An object-selecting method includes detecting presence of a touch spot on a touchpad of an electronic apparatus, determining a set of objects adjacent to a position associated with the touch spot detected in step A), and selecting one of the objects when it is determined that the position of the touch spot moves toward the selected object.