Touchscreen Input Area Modification for Candidate Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen devices face challenges in allowing users to easily select input candidates without burdening the operator, as the current design requires frequent movement between the input operation area and the input candidate area, leading to increased errors due to smaller key sizes.
Innovation Solution
The system modifies the input area by detecting specific user operations and adjusting the input candidate area accordingly, allowing users to select candidates within the input operation area without excessive finger movement, through a combination of touch and pressure sensors, and display controllers that manage the input and display functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the keyboard area is made larger to allow easy finger movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the input candidate area becomes smaller and harder to access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the input candidate area with the keyboard area by allowing input candidates to be selected within the keyboard area itself, rather than requiring separate areas. This merging eliminates the need for the operator to move the finger between separate input and candidate selection areas, resolving the spatial conflict between keyboard size and candidate area accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard area is given multiple functions: it serves both as the input operation area for pressing keys and as the selection area for input candidates. By making the keyboard area multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate candidate selection area, thus maintaining adequate keyboard size while still providing access to input candidates.
2Area of stationary object
If the keyboard area is made smaller to accommodate the input candidate area, then the input candidate can be easily accessed, but the keyboard keys become smaller and harder to press accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the candidate selection function into the keyboard area, so that input candidates are selected within the same area where keys are pressed. This eliminates the need to reduce keyboard area for candidate display, thereby maintaining adequate key size for accurate pressing while still providing access to input candidates.
3Manufacturing precision
If the operator must move finger between keyboard area and input candidate area, then both areas can be adequately sized, but the operator carries a heavy burden and makes frequent mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the input operation and candidate selection operations within the same keyboard area. This merging eliminates the need for finger movement between separate areas, reducing operator burden and the likelihood of mistakes while maintaining adequate sizing for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous input operation within the keyboard area without interruption for moving to separate candidate areas. The operator can continuously perform input operations and select candidates within the same area, maintaining the continuity of the useful action and reducing operational burden.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for modifying an input area, comprising a memory and a processor executing instructions stored in the memory. The processor executes instructions stored in the memory to display a first input area on a device. The processor further executes instructions stored in the memory to detect a user input in a second input area. The processor still further executes instructions stored in the memory to perform, if the user input comprises a first operation, an input function; and modify, if the user input comprises a second operation, the first input area.