AJ Cihla

The provisional patent that has been filed with the USPTO under the title 'Dynamic Single-handed string input interface'.

Field of the invention-

This invention relates to the field of data input on touchscreen devices. The invention aims to optimize factors related to ease of use, accuracy, and speed for single-handed operation.

Descriptions of the related art-

Standard QWERTY keyboards and other keyboard layouts are not optimized for quick and easy use… especially on the increasingly large screens of modern mobile devices. For instance, true one-handed use is nearly impossible on modern devices. Oftentimes a user must use one hand to stabilize a mobile device while the other hand is used for actual interaction with the data input medium. Text-input on tablets and other touch screen devices also requires a user to poke at the screen and/or traverse a substantial distance between characters, thus making typing/texting/data input a tedious chore.

Brief Description of the invention-

A circular/oblong interface with the ability to change location, size, and angle is arguably a more efficient and ergonomically friendly design. Enabling users to customize placement and size will aid in optimal ease of use while also maximizing visibility to context of the data input situation (ex. Email, texting, web browsing, social media sites, blogs, etc.) Allowing users to use continuous gestures to select characters aids in the fluidity of data input. Traversing the rounded design not only minimizes physical distance between characters/symbols but also takes advantage of a smaller space while still providing the affordances of an easily explored shape (easy for use with a single finger, specifically one’s thumb). This technique of data input on mobile devices is versatile enough to be used on a wide range of devices, minimizes learning curves between different devices, and also takes advantage of natural finger movements. The dynamic placement and size coupled with the circular/oblong shape make this the optimal tool for one-handed data-entry.

To change size and location of interface area: double tap the neutral zone (core of the input area) and hold then drag to desired location, use two finger stretch andshrink, and two finger rotations... when alterations are over tap outside the compass area. Text may wrap around input area or remain static when new location is set. One may also select a button or mode that signals active manipulation of the input area. Other possibilities include various combinations of physical gestures, voice commands, and/or simple setting switches.
Neutral zone-
The text input design includes a central area, we will call it the origin, which acts as a reference point. It can be set to give physical or audible feedback to the user when tracing over it (to give a sense of location and aid in no-look-texting). Once a user enters the target area of the origin, the phone can buzz, vibrate, beep or otherwise signal to the user that they are currently at the center of the text input zone and can therefore trigger the user to pivot and traverse the input area to the next grouping or character of interest. Clicking on and holding the origin of the data input medium could allow the user to then manipulate the size, shape, rotation, and/or location of the text input area. A short tap on the origin (center of the circle) could signal the use of a period.

This idea was something that I thought would be immensely helpful when it comes to making purchasing decisions. I also ended up coding up a website based on this idea for my User Interfaces class (CS160).

Company Description-

Origin has a mission of connecting people directly with the food and products that they purchase. The plan is to market the importance of knowing where your food comes from and why its process of production is important. Eventually the same idea can be applied to all consumer goods. Origin will require a web application that can display personal purchase history and background of a good&rsquos production. It will also require a mature database populated by producers and regulated by Origin employees to make sure that data is accurate and certified.

Target Market-

The target market for those using this application would be people who care about sustainability, healthy eating, organic foods, and general health awareness. This product will ride the wave of environmental proactivity and awareness that is occurring across the world (but especially within the United States). The particular group of good suppliers that would find this infrastructure most helpful would be small-scale sustainable growers who rely on selling a small quantity of high-quality goods at market. There is also the opportunity for large organizations to clear up their name and show consumers that they are doing what they claim to be doing (growing organic, not using pesticides, etc.). Overall, this product will help to bring validity to the organic and sustainable movement by weeding out dishonest marketing agendas and giving consumers the option to choose for themselves.

Why?-

The trend of demand for organic products and sustainable markets is something that has been muddled by dishonest marketing and gullible buyers. Origin will act as a tool to regulate product descriptions and also give small-scale enterprises a chance to express their intimate production process. Smaller businesses will be able to participate in a sort of virtual farmer’s market where the human element is injected back into the event of transaction. This will cause consumers to make decisions based on how their decision affects the lives of others as well as the impact on the environment.

Company Description-

Valknut is a web application that can be distributed to mobile devices via a tool known as PhoneGap. This allows for cross-platform distribution and unlimited availability across a wide range of smart phone users. The word Valknut is actually the Nordic word for a symbol meant to represent the connection of the seven realms of Nordic mythology. The symbol itself is powerful and representative of the connection between physical fitness, healthy eating, responsible dieting, balanced mineral and herbal supplementation, satisfying sleep schedule, mental health, and overall quality of life. The idea is to act as a sort of coach and monitor the lives of individuals who wish to improve their quality of life through increased energy, productivity, happiness, satisfaction, and/or physical strength.

Product Description-

Valknut is not a tool that users seek out to solve a specific problem in their life. Rather it is a tool that a user has been recommended in one-way or another to change their life and help them meet their goals (ex. happiness, satisfaction of life, increased productivity, healthier, and more physically fit). The premise of the application is for a user to maintain an updated account and input simple feedback to the system on a regular basis, for example:
Happiness, stress/anxiety, satisfaction level (1-10)
Physical attributes (build, height, weight, sleep requirements, etc.)
Detailed schedule of all tasks and responsibilities
This data can then be graphed and presented as a sort of analytical journal so that customers can track their progress and identify trends in mood, sleep, weight gain/loss, etc.
The application uses the input to suggest/ command a physical regiment, sleep cycle, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other activities that will improve their quality of life and keep them productive during periods of the day that would otherwise be used for watching television or remaining idle in the home.
Through use of geo-location it is possible for the app to verify that a user has actually completed a scheduled task. We can take this “big brother” approach one step further and connect people with similar traits and goals into a small group of say ten individuals. From here the users can comment on the progress of others, ask for support, lend support, and work to achieve their goals together. This will create a self-sustaining community of goal-driven individuals who can support others in a similar situation.

Target Market-

This product will be applied to every person in the world that has a smartphone and could improve his or her life in one-way or another (or just schedule time more efficiently). This is over 100 million in the US and hundreds of millions more elsewhere in the world. The product is targeted at those who truly want to better themselves in the physical and mental realms of life. It is a serious App that will force users to listen and follow instructions. Charging a relatively high price for the product will help to attract serious goal-setters and eliminate the issue of dissatisfied customers (those who buy the app thinking that it will magically make them into what they want to be). From this starting group of users we can build a solid foundation and transition into those who will rely on the more seasoned and serious goal-setters to accelerate their lives to a greater standard of existence.

Why?-

Priorities and the culture of the masses in the United States (especially among the younger generation) have contributed to splintering of the population. Complacency and entitlement plagues our country and slows progress in all fields and aspects of the human-race as well as lowering the overall quality of life for individuals. Loss of hope and mismatched priorities has lead to an outbreak of depression, idleness, diabesity, and dullness. By teaching a generation to live healthy and active lifestyles we can increase life-expectancies, alleviate the effects of depression, bring about a higher standard of living, improve the average person’s quality of life, and ultimately redefine cultural values by providing a common tool that connects everyone based upon a defined standard of improvement and overall well-being.