Voronoi Selection Areas for Graphical Interface Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical interfaces face challenges in selecting small objects on touch screens due to overlapping selection areas defined by a fixed selection radius, leading to ambiguity in user input intended for one object versus another.
Innovation Solution
Generating selection areas around selectable objects using a Voronoi tessellation and clipping these areas with a clipping polygon to ensure that any point within the boundary is closer to the associated object than any other, preventing overlap and providing intuitively sized selection areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed selection radius is used for all selectable objects, then the selection area is easy to define and implement, but selection areas overlap when objects are closely spaced, causing input ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the selection radius dynamic rather than fixed. Each selectable object receives a selection radius tailored to its specific context - particularly adjusting the radius based on the distance to neighboring objects. This ensures that selection areas adapt locally to prevent overlap while maintaining appropriate size for each object, resolving the contradiction between easy definition and selection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the selection radius is increased to make small objects easier to select, then ease of operation improves, but selection areas overlap more, causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the selection radius parameter based on the spatial relationship between objects. Instead of using a constant radius, the system calculates and applies different radius values for different objects based on their distance to neighbors. This allows selection areas to be large enough for ease of operation while preventing overlap through context-dependent parameter adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If selection areas are defined to prevent overlap, then selection precision improves, but the complexity of defining and managing selection areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the selection area definition into modular components: individual selectable objects each have their own selection area calculated independently based on their position and distance to neighbors. This segmentation allows precise control over each object's selection area while maintaining manageable complexity through a systematic, object-by-object approach rather than requiring complex global coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a processor accesses electronic content that includes multiple selectable objects that are renderable in a graphical interface. The processor generates multiple selection areas respectively associated with the selectable objects. An input to the graphical interface received within each selection area selects an associated selectable object. Generating the selection areas includes generating a boundary around at least one of the selectable objects. Any point within the boundary is closer to the associated selectable object than any other selectable object. Generating the selection areas also includes clipping the boundary to define the selection area for the selectable object. The processor adds the selection areas to a document object model associated with the electronic content. The document object model is usable for rendering the graphical interface with the selectable objects and identifying the selection areas.