Two-Direction User Input Mapping for One-Handed Graphical Sliders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users struggle to effectively operate graphical sliders on computing devices using one hand due to the natural arc movement of their thumb, leading to inaccurate manipulation when interacting with straight-line sliders.
Innovation Solution
A computing device maps user inputs in two directions to a single direction by applying a curve fitting algorithm to the user's thumb motion, accurately reflecting the total distance traveled, thereby improving the accuracy of slider movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user operates a graphical slider with one hand while holding the computing device, then the device can be held stably, but the thumb's natural arc movement causes inaccurate slider manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by mapping the user's natural arced thumb motion onto a curved trajectory that corresponds to the slider's adjustment direction. Instead of requiring straight-line input, the system accepts curved gestures and transforms them into accurate slider position changes, allowing one-handed operation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension by capturing both horizontal and vertical components of the thumb's arced motion. The system processes movement in two dimensions (x and y directions) and combines them to determine the final slider position, effectively converting the problematic arced motion into useful one-dimensional slider adjustment.
2Device complexity
If the system only considers displacement in the slider's axis direction, then the input processing is simple, but the total distance traveled by the user's thumb is not accurately reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends input processing from one dimension to two dimensions by capturing both horizontal and vertical displacement components. This allows accurate measurement of the total distance traveled by the thumb while maintaining manageable computational complexity through straightforward vector combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the user's arced motion trajectory and maps it onto the slider's adjustment path. By copying and transforming the two-dimensional input trajectory into one-dimensional slider movement, the system accurately reflects the total distance traveled without requiring complex direct measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system accepts two-directional user input, then the natural thumb motion is fully captured, but mapping it to a single-direction slider requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system naturally accepts two-directional input by capturing both x and y displacement components of the thumb's motion. This dimensional approach provides input flexibility while keeping the mapping process straightforward through basic mathematical combination of the two components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the two independent input parameters (horizontal and vertical displacement) into a single output parameter (slider position) through mathematical operations. This parameter transformation maintains input versatility while managing processing complexity through systematic calculation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes outputting, for display, a graphical user interface that includes a graphical slider, the graphical slider including a trackbar that defines an axis in a first direction and a position indicator located at a first position along the trackbar. The method also includes receiving data indicative of a user input including a first displacement in the first direction and a second displacement in a second direction, the first direction perpendicular to the second direction. The method also includes mapping, based on both the first displacement in the first direction and the second displacement in the second direction, the user input to a second position along the trackbar. The method further includes outputting, for display, an updated graphical user interface that includes the position indicator at the second position along the trackbar.