Touchscreen Selection Indicator Splitting for Screen Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in efficiently managing the selection and display of large amounts of information, particularly when the content exceeds the screen's capacity, leading to clutter and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a selection indicator is displayed on the touch-sensitive display, allowing users to adjust the selection by gestures, and if the content exceeds a threshold limit, it is displayed as a split selection, showing only the beginning and end parts with a split indicator to indicate the missing middle portion, thereby optimizing screen space and user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all selected information is displayed on the screen, then complete information is provided, but screen space is exceeded and usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the selected information into multiple segments: visible content displayed on screen and hidden content stored but not displayed. The selection indicator is also segmented to show only the portion that fits within screen boundaries, with visual cues indicating additional hidden content exists. This segmentation allows complete information to be preserved while maintaining screen usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional screen display to a multi-dimensional information presentation by adding depth through indicators. The selection indicator includes visual elements that extend beyond the visible content boundaries, creating a perception of additional dimensions. This allows users to understand that more information exists without physically expanding the screen area.
2Loss of information
If selection indicator shows entire selection range, then full selection context is visible, but screen becomes cluttered when selection exceeds screen capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the selection indicator from the visible content area and positions it separately, typically at the boundary of the visible selection. This extraction removes the indicator from cluttering the main content area while maintaining its function of showing selection context. The indicator serves as a separate visual element that provides context without adding to display complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the selection indicator. The visible portion of the selection range is displayed with standard formatting, while the indicator portion that signifies hidden content uses distinct visual properties (such as different coloring, styling, or positioning). This local differentiation allows the indicator to provide context information without uniformly cluttering the entire display.
3Area of stationary object
If screen size is increased to display all selected content, then information visibility is improved, but device portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the selection indicator based on the relationship between selection size and screen capacity. When selected content fits within screen boundaries, the indicator displays the complete selection range. When selection exceeds screen capacity, the indicator dynamically adapts to show only the visible portion with cues indicating hidden content. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain optimal display efficiency across various screen sizes without requiring physical screen expansion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling selection of information on a display is provided. The method includes displaying the information on the display and displaying a selection indicator associated with a selection including a part of the information, and detecting an input to adjust an amount of the information included in the selection. In response to detecting the input, the selection indicator is adjusted based on the input. A determination is made whether the amount of the information included in the selection exceeds a threshold limit. In response to determining that the amount of the information included in the selection exceeds the threshold limit, the selection is displayed as a split selection by displaying a beginning part of the selection and an end part of the selection without displaying a middle part of the selection between the beginning part and the end part, and displaying a split indicator. In response to determining that the amount of the information included in the selection is within the threshold limit, display of the information included in the selection is continued.