Touchscreen Gesture Interface Depth Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of virtual interfaces in processor-based devices often leads to display crowding, making it difficult for users to select functions due to the close proximity of controls and images, which complicates user interaction.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a touchscreen display with an interface application that identifies user interface controls through motion magnitude exceeding a threshold value, allowing for object selection and gesture-based functionality to execute functions, with a hierarchical search mechanism to determine intended selections and a gesture recognition system to execute corresponding functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual interface displays controls and images for many functions, then functionality and versatility are improved, but display crowding occurs making object selection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidobject selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension (depth/z-axis) to the traditional 2D display by implementing a container with depth that can be manipulated through gestures. Objects are positioned at different depths within the container, allowing users to access objects at various depth levels through swipe gestures, thereby resolving display crowding while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic depth adjustment where the container's depth and object positions can change based on user interactions. Gestures such as swiping left or right dynamically modify the visible depth range, allowing the interface to adapt its spatial configuration based on user needs while preserving all functional controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If more controls and images are displayed, then interface versatility is improved, but display complexity and crowding increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface versatilityVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By adding the depth dimension through a container structure, the patent organizes numerous controls and images along the z-axis rather than crowding them in 2D space. This dimensional expansion allows high interface versatility without increasing visual complexity on the display surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the interface into multiple depth layers within the container, with different groups of controls and images positioned at different depths. This segmentation organizes the complex interface elements into manageable layers that can be independently accessed through gestures, reducing overall display complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If controls are positioned close together to fit more functions, then space utilization is improved, but selection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay space utilizationVSAvoidselection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the proximity issue by distributing controls along the depth dimension rather than compressing them in 2D space. Controls can be positioned close together on the display surface but separated at different depths, maintaining both high space utilization and accurate selection through depth-based gesture recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The container depth acts as an intermediary dimension that mediates between space constraints and selection accuracy. By introducing this intermediate depth layer, the system allows controls to be densely packed on the display while maintaining distinguishable separation through their depth positions, which are detected via gesture magnitude.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3537273B1System having user interface using object selection and gestures
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • EP3537273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3537273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system includes a touchscreen display and an interface application. The interface application may control the touchscreen display to provide a container and a selectable user interface control. The user interface control may be selected through manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container proximate the user interface control. The user interface application may identify a gesture function in response to manipulation of the touchscreen display in an area of the container when the manipulation has a motion magnitude in a plane of the touchscreen display exceeding a threshold value.