Trackpad Mode for Precise Graphical Content Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphical interfaces for content management applications, such as typeface design, face challenges in precise manipulation due to the size of input areas being smaller than a user's finger, leading to inadvertent selection or manipulation of incorrect graphical content, and existing solutions like zooming compromise the context of the manipulation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of selectively enabling trackpad functionality in graphical interfaces, where selecting a control element switches the interface to a trackpad mode, disabling other control elements and allowing inputs to be applied only to the active control element, thereby enabling precise manipulation without losing context.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a touch input is provided to a graphical interface with small control elements, then the input area can be compact, but the precision of selecting the intended control element deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput area sizeVSAvoidcontrol element selection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical interface is segmented into multiple interaction modes: touch mode for selecting control elements and trackpad mode for manipulating them. This segmentation allows each mode to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between compact input area and selection precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically switches between touch mode and trackpad mode based on the selected control element. When a control element is selected, the interface transitions to trackpad mode where subsequent inputs are interpreted as manipulation commands rather than selection commands, enabling precise manipulation without requiring large input areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the graphical interface is magnified to improve selection precision, then control element selection becomes more accurate, but the context of the overall graphical content is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol element selection precisionVSAvoidcontext information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adjusts its interpretation mode rather than its visual scale. By switching from touch mode to trackpad mode, the system maintains the full contextual view while changing how inputs are processed, thus preserving context information while achieving precise manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of input interpretation from selection-based to manipulation-based when in trackpad mode. This parameter change allows the same visual interface to support precise control without requiring magnification, thereby maintaining contextual information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control elements are enabled simultaneously, then the interface supports multiple manipulations, but inadvertent selection of wrong control elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation capabilityVSAvoidintended control element manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface segments the functionality into selection phase and manipulation phase. During manipulation phase in trackpad mode, only the selected control element responds to inputs while others are effectively segmented out, preventing inadvertent selection and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The selected control element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the touch input and the manipulation action. In trackpad mode, this intermediary ensures that only the intended control element receives manipulation commands, even when multiple control elements are visible in the interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10983679B2Selectively enabling trackpad functionality in graphical interfaces

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 ADOBE INC

AI summary

A content manipulation application provides a graphical interface for editing graphical content. The graphical interface includes first and second control elements for performing first and second manipulations of the graphical content. If the first control element is selected, the content management application switches the graphical interface to a trackpad mode. The trackpad mode disables the second control element and thereby prevents the second control element from performing the second manipulation. While the graphical interface is in the trackpad mode, the content management application receives an input in an input area that lacks the first control element and performs the first manipulation of the graphical content responsive to receiving the input. Subsequent to the first manipulation being performed, the graphical interface is switched out of the trackpad mode, thereby enabling the second control element to perform the second manipulation.