Touchscreen Element Selection Using Direction-Based Scaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Touch-sensitive displays in industrial applications face challenges in precisely selecting small elements, such as points on a manipulator's trajectory, due to limited screen size and the obscuration of the input point, making it difficult to accurately choose elements like entries in tables or flowcharts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving temporary selection of a point, detection of movement directions, and scaling changes allows for precise selection of displayed elements by converting larger input point movements into smaller selection movements, maintaining a clear view and enabling intuitive operation without requiring multitouch capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the complete structure is displayed on a limited-size touch-sensitive display, then all elements are visible, but the individual elements become very small and difficult to select precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic scaling by detecting the movement direction of the input point and automatically changing the display scale. When the input point moves in a first direction, the system maintains the current scale; when it moves in a second direction (perpendicular to the first), the system changes to a different scale. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to adjust between showing complete structures and enabling precise element selection based on user interaction patterns.
2Ease of operation
If a stylus or finger is used to select elements, then input is possible, but the input device obscures the operator's view of the elements to be selected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the system detects movement directions and automatically adjusts scaling based on the input point's trajectory. This intermediary processing layer translates the physical input (which may obscure view) into automatic display adjustments, reducing the need for the operator to precisely position the input device over small elements and thereby improving visibility during operation.
3Ease of operation
If the touched area is larger than the displayed element, then input is easier, but the targeted selection of the element is not easily possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the display scale based on the movement direction of the input point. When the input point moves in a second direction (perpendicular to the initial movement), the system changes to a different scale, effectively zooming in or out to match the precision needs. This allows operators to use larger input areas while the system compensates by adjusting the display scale to maintain selection precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for specifically selecting displayed elements on a touch-sensitive display, wherein the method comprises the following method steps of: a) selecting a first displayed element by means of an input point on the touch-sensitive display; b) sensing a first direction of movement of the input point and selecting a displayed element which corresponds to the current position of the input point on a first scale; c) sensing a second direction of movement, wherein the selection of the displayed element is maintained; d) upon sensing the second direction of movement of the input point, changing the first scale to a second, different scale; and then e) sensing a movement of the input point in the first direction of movement and selecting a displayed element which corresponds to the current position of the input point on the second scale.