Multi-Touch Value Interval Slider for Granularity Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for selecting value intervals on multi-touch devices, such as calendars or rolling values, are cumbersome and require multiple steps, limiting user flexibility and convenience when selecting different granularities like dates, times, or other data ranges.
Innovation Solution
A value interval slider is introduced on a graphical user interface, allowing users to select start and end values with multi-touch gestures, and change granularity levels (e.g., from days to years) within a single display using pinch or reverse-pinch gestures, enabling intuitive and flexible data filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional calendar or rolling value visualizations are used for selecting time intervals, then users can select specific dates and times, but the process requires multiple separate steps and selections across different controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines date selection and time selection into a single continuous slider control. Instead of requiring separate calendar and time picker controls, the slider integrates both functions by allowing users to select date and time values along a unified timeline, eliminating the need for multiple separate selection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider control serves multiple functions: it can display and select different granularities (days, months, years), represent both date and time information, and provide interval selection capabilities. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized controls with a single versatile interface element.
2Measurement precision
If separate controls are used for selecting date and time values, then specific values can be selected, but users must perform multiple separate selection actions
Solution Approach 1:
The slider pre-establishes a continuous mapping between position and time values, so that selecting a value requires only a single action rather than multiple sequential selections. The interface prepares the complete range of possible values in advance, allowing immediate selection without requiring separate date and time picking steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional interval selection methods are used, then start and end values can be selected, but users cannot easily change granularity levels within a single display
Solution Approach 1:
The slider dynamically adjusts its displayed granularity based on user interaction. The interface can transition between different levels of detail (days, months, years) within the same control, allowing the display to adapt to the user's needs without requiring separate controls for each granularity level.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides examples of computerized methods and software for receiving time-based interval selections on multi-touch devices. In one aspect, a time interval slider is displayed in a portion of a graphical user interface, where the time interval slider is a listing of time values in a single dimension at a first granularity level. A request is received via a multi-touch gesture to change from the first granularity level of time values to a second granularity level of time values in the time interval slider. In response, an updated set of time values at a second granularity level is displayed within the time interval slider. A selection of a first time value is received for a first endpoint in a time interval via a first touch input, and a selection of a second time value is received for a second endpoint in the time interval via a second touch input.