Virtual Target Window for One-Handed Mobile Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device users face frustration and accessibility issues when trying to interact with top-screen elements using a one-handed operation due to the size of the screen, leading to potential device drops and distractions.
Innovation Solution
A system that predicts user intent based on past actions and gestures to relocate desired screen elements to a more accessible location on the mobile device screen, using a virtual target window that can be moved and interacted with using a single hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the mobile device screen size is increased to provide more display area, then the display capacity is improved, but the accessibility of screen elements to the user's thumb or finger is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by displaying a virtual target window that can be positioned at any location on the screen, not just fixed at the top. This allows the system to project target elements into a reachable zone (lower dimension) while maintaining access to information in the original display space (upper dimension), effectively resolving the contradiction between large screen area and thumb reachability
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual target window acts as an intermediary between the user's thumb and the original screen elements. Instead of the thumb directly interacting with distant top-screen elements, the system creates a intermediate display layer that maps remote elements to accessible positions, allowing indirect but efficient interaction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user operates the device with one hand to maintain freedom with the other hand, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the ability to reach screen elements is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting the user's intent before the user actually attempts to interact with the target element. By analyzing past user actions and current context, the system pre-positions the virtual target window at the predicted location, so when the user does interact, the element is already in an accessible position, eliminating the need for the user to stretch or adjust their grip
3Ease of operation
If the virtual target window is positioned to make predicted elements accessible, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically analyzing user behavior patterns and autonomously determining the optimal position for the virtual target window without requiring explicit user input. The intent prediction mechanism allows the system to serve itself in configuring the interface, reducing the need for complex manual configuration systems while improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided that executes on a mobile device with a touch-enabled display screen. The approach receives, from a user of the mobile device, a gesture entered on the touch-enabled display screen with the gesture being entered using an input instrument, such as a finger or thumb, operated by the user. In response to receiving the gesture, the approach identifies the application that is currently being displayed, predicts an intent of the user based on past user actions received during previous executions of the application. The predicted intent predicts the element displayed on the screen that is desired by the user. The approach also creates a cloned copy of the current application display and provides a virtual target window by displaying the cloned copy on the touch-enabled display screen in a position that makes the predicted element accessible to the input instrument operated by the user.