User Interface Pointer Region Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often unintentionally trigger panels in a user interface while navigating, leading to unwanted visibility of elements like toolbars and status bars, which can disrupt intended interactions with other elements.
Innovation Solution
A client computing device generates a non-visible triangular region extending from the pointer to the intended element, with an enlarged region encompassing it, determining user intent by tracking pointer movement within these regions to prevent unnecessary panel activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pointer traverses across multiple elements in the user interface, then the navigation flexibility is improved, but unintended panel activations occur causing interface clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the user's intended target element before the pointer actually hovers over it. A prediction region is dynamically generated based on the pointer's movement trajectory, allowing the system to anticipate which element the user intends to select and pre-prevent unintended panel activations along the pointer's path.
Solution Approach 2:
The prediction region acts as an intermediary between the pointer and the triggerable elements. Instead of directly detecting pointer hover over elements, the system uses the prediction region as a mediator to determine intended target, thereby preventing direct unintended interactions between the pointer and intermediate triggerable elements.
2Device complexity
If traditional pointer hover detection is used, then the implementation simplicity is improved, but user intent accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary prediction of the user's intended target based on pointer movement trajectory before the pointer actually reaches the target. This preliminary action allows the system to accurately determine user intent in advance, rather than waiting for traditional hover detection which may be too late or inaccurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional pointer position detection to three-dimensional trajectory-based prediction by incorporating the temporal dimension of pointer movement. The prediction region is generated based on the pointer's movement path and velocity, adding a temporal dimension to the interaction detection model.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for controlling a user interface based at least in part on particular conditions. In response to an element in a user interface being triggered, a first region is identified based at least in part on the location of an input device pointer and the triggered element. An enlarged region is identified based at least in part on the first region. It is determined whether to modify the user interface based at least in part on whether the pointer is moved within the enlarged region.