Touchscreen Input Zones for 3D Field of View Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for navigating within three-dimensional (3D) environments, such as those used for virtual inspection of objects like aircraft, often require multiple points of contact and are difficult to control intuitively, especially when trying to interact with a touchscreen while maintaining proximity to the object.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with translational and rotational input regions that include position direct control zones for precise control and position rate control zones for quick navigation, allowing seamless mode changes by sliding an input trigger between zones, enabling intuitive and user-friendly control of the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple points of contact are required on the touchscreen to manipulate the representation, then navigation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in holding and controlling multiple contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen interface is segmented into multiple functional zones (first input zone for direct position control, second input zone for rate control) that can be independently activated. This segmentation allows the system to provide different control modes for different operational needs while maintaining ease of use through single-point contact in each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mode dynamically changes based on which zone is activated. When the first input zone is activated, direct position control is enabled; when the second input zone is activated, rate control is enabled. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to optimize between precision and speed based on user needs without requiring multiple simultaneous contacts.
2Measurement precision
If direct position control is used for translating the field of view, then positioning precision is improved, but navigation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between direct position control mode (for precision) and rate control mode (for speed) based on which input zone is activated. This allows users to select the appropriate control characteristic for their current operational context without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different control characteristics are assigned to different spatial zones on the touchscreen. The first input zone provides direct position control with high precision, while the second input zone provides rate control for faster navigation. Each zone has optimized local quality suitable for its intended use case.
3Speed
If rate control is used for translating the field of view, then navigation speed is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between rate control mode (for speed) and direct position control mode (for precision) based on which input zone is activated. This allows users to select the appropriate control characteristic for their current operational context without compromise.
4Measurement precision
If explicit mode changes are required for switching between control modes, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate control mode based on which input zone is activated, eliminating the need for explicit user commands to switch modes. The interface serves itself by interpreting the location of user input to select the corresponding control characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
Different control modes are associated with different spatial zones on the touchscreen. The control accuracy is maintained through the direct mapping between zone selection and mode activation, while complexity is reduced by eliminating explicit mode-changing commands.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method for navigating within a visual representation of a three-dimensional (3D) environment is described. The method includes detecting a selection of a translational input trigger at a translational origin in a translational input region of a user interface. The method includes detecting that the translational input trigger has been moved from the translational origin to a point on a translational control border. The method includes detecting that the translational input trigger has been moved from within the position direct control zone to a location within the position rate control zone. The method includes, responsive to detecting that the translational input trigger has been moved from within the position direct control zone to the location within the position rate control zone, translating the field of view in the visual representation of the 3D environment at a velocity corresponding to the location within the position rate control zone.