Control method for press locking on a touchpad

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method for press locking on a touchpad. This method utilizes the force-sensing detection function of the touchpad to determine whether the applied pressure during touch input exceeds a predefined heavy-pressure threshold. If the pressure surpasses this threshold, the touchpad enters a press-locking mode, in which it continuously sends a signal indicating that the touchpad is being pressed. Then, users can move their fingers to drag the corresponding on-screen cursor without needing to maintain the same level of downward pressure. This allows for easier and more comfortable finger movement, facilitating the selection of large content areas more efficiently.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a control method for a touchpad, and more particularly to a control method for locking the touchpad in a pressed state. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Touchpads are the input devices for most electronic devices today. They are used to operate and input data by sensing the coordinates of the user's finger on the touchpad and the time of contact and release. Taking the selection of a large area of ​​content as an example, such as selecting multiple lines of text in a text file or multiple icons in a drawing program, the current method is to move the finger on the touchpad to move the cursor on the screen to the beginning of the large area of ​​content to be selected, and then press the touchpad with one finger and maintain a certain amount of pressure to drag and select.

[0003] However, when it is necessary to select a large area of ​​content, it is difficult for users to continuously drag a large area on the touchpad while maintaining a certain amount of force. They often need to use the shift key on the keyboard. As a result, it is difficult for users to select a large area of ​​content with a single finger, which causes inconvenience to the user. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] In view of this, the present invention combines force sensing detection to change the existing method of using a touchpad to select large sections of text or content.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a control method for locking a touchpad in a pressed state. The touchpad includes a controller, and the control method includes the following steps: a. Determining whether a single object is in contact with the touchpad; if so, proceeding to step b; b. Determining whether the pressure exerted by the single object exceeds a light pressure threshold; if so, the controller sends a button-pressed signal to an operating system and continues to step c; c. When the pressure exerted by the single object exceeds a heavy pressure threshold, entering a button-locking mode, wherein the heavy pressure threshold is greater than the light pressure threshold, and the light pressure threshold is greater than the release threshold; d. In the button-locking mode, the controller continuously sends the button-pressed signal to the operating system and determines whether the single object meets a release condition; e1. If, in step d, it is determined that the release condition is not met, the controller continues to send the button-pressed signal to the operating system; e2. If the release condition is met in step d, then it is determined whether the pressure under the single object is lower than a release threshold. If the pressure under the single object is lower than the release threshold, the controller sends a button not pressed signal to the operating system.

[0006] The advantage of the present invention is that by applying downward pressure to reach the heavy pressure threshold value to activate the button lock mode, the user can use a single finger to apply downward pressure to lock the touchpad to transmit the pressed state information. Then, while the button is locked, the user can continue to drag with a single finger to select a large area of ​​content. After the selection is completed, the release condition is executed to release the button lock state. Therefore, the user's operation convenience can be increased.

Implementation Method

[0007] The following, in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments of the present invention, further illustrates the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose of the invention.

[0008] Generally, on a force-sensing touchpad, the signal that triggers a touchpad press is shown in Figure 1. When the user applies downward pressure with their finger exceeding a light-pressure threshold TH1, the touchpad sends a button-pressed signal S1 to the operating system of the corresponding electronic device. Subsequently, when the user applies downward pressure with their finger less than a release threshold TH2, the touchpad sends a button-not-pressed signal S2 to the operating system of the corresponding electronic device. The light-pressure threshold TH1 is greater than the release threshold TH2. When the user wants to select a large area of ​​content, the user must apply downward pressure with their finger not less than the release threshold TH2 to make the touchpad send the button-pressed signal S1 to the operating system. By maintaining downward pressure not less than the release threshold TH2 while moving the finger, the touchpad continues to send the button-pressed signal S1. The cursor can then be dragged to select a large area of ​​content on the corresponding position on the screen.

[0009] In one embodiment, the touchpad transmits signals to the operating system of the corresponding electronic device. Generally, a controller of the touchpad can directly transmit a signal packet to the operating system of the electronic device.

[0010] This invention aims to utilize the locked touchpad pressed state to allow users to drag and select large areas of content without continuously maintaining sufficient downward pressure. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this invention first executes step 201, which determines whether the number of objects is a single object. When the number of objects touching the touchpad is a single object, step 202 continues to be executed. Step 202 determines whether the downward pressure of the single object exceeds a light pressure threshold value TH1. If it does not exceed the light pressure threshold value TH1, then step 203 is executed. Step 203 determines whether the downward pressure of the single object is lower than a release threshold value TH2. If yes, then step 204 is executed to send a button not pressed signal S2 to the operating system. If no, then step 201 is executed again, wherein the light pressure threshold value TH1 is greater than the release threshold value TH2. If the light pressure threshold TH1 is exceeded, step 205 is executed. In step 205, the touchpad controller sends a button press signal S1 to the operating system. Then, step 206 determines whether the pressure under the single object exceeds a heavy pressure threshold TH3, where the heavy pressure threshold TH3 is greater than the aforementioned light pressure threshold TH1. If the pressure under the single object does not exceed the heavy pressure threshold TH3, step 201 is executed again; if the pressure under the single object exceeds the heavy pressure threshold TH3, step 300 is executed.

[0011] Step 300 refers to the touchpad entering a button lock mode. Please refer to Figure 4 for further details. After entering the button lock mode, step 301 is executed first. Step 301 determines whether a release condition is met. If the release condition is not met, step 302 is executed. Step 302 means that the touchpad will continuously send the button pressed signal S1 to the operating system. It will not stop sending the button pressed signal S1 or send other signals due to changes in the pressure under the aforementioned single object, such as the button lock section L circled in Figure 3. That is, in the button lock mode, the button not pressed signal S2 will not be sent to the operating system because the pressure under the single object is less than the release threshold value TH2. If the release condition is met, step 303 is executed to release the button lock mode, and step 304 is executed. Step 304 determines whether the pressure under the single object is less than the release threshold value TH2. If not, step 305 is executed to send the button pressed signal S1 to the operating system and return to step 304. If yes, step 306 is executed to send the button not pressed signal S2 to the operating system.

[0012] The aforementioned release conditions have multiple implementation modes, which are described below, but are not limited to these.

[0013] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in step 301A, when the pressure under the single object exceeds the heavy pressure threshold TH3 again after entering the button lock mode, the release condition is met, and the button lock mode is released in step 303. As shown in the button lock release section D circled in Figure 6, step 304 will be executed at this time. Step 304 determines whether the pressure under the single object is less than the release threshold TH2. If not, the process proceeds to step 305, which sends a button pressed signal S1 to the operating system and returns to step 304. If yes, the process proceeds to step 306, which sends a button not pressed signal S2 to the operating system. In this embodiment, once the user has put the touchpad into the button lock mode, the user's fingers can move freely on the touchpad without maintaining the same amount of force, so as to move the corresponding cursor on the screen to select the desired large area of ​​content. Even if the user's finger moves to the bottom edge of the touchpad and wants to temporarily remove the finger from the touchpad and return to the top edge of the touchpad to continue dragging the cursor on the screen, the button lock mode will not be released because the object detected on the touchpad has zero force. The button lock mode will only be released when the user's finger applies force to the touchpad again to reach the heavy pressure threshold TH3. This makes it more convenient for the user to drag and select large areas of content across pages and reduces the likelihood of selection failure.

[0014] Please refer to Figures 7 and 8. As shown in step 301B, when the pressure under the single object exceeds the light pressure threshold TH1 again after entering the button lock mode, the release condition is met and step 303 is entered to release the button lock mode. As shown in the button lock release section D circled in Figure 8, step 304 will be executed at this time. Step 304 determines whether the pressure under the single object is less than the release threshold TH2. If not, step 305 is entered to send the button pressed signal S1 to the operating system and return to step 304; if yes, step 306 is entered to send the button not pressed signal S2 to the operating system. In this embodiment, once the user has put the touchpad into the button lock mode, the user's fingers can move freely on the touchpad without maintaining the same amount of force, so as to move the corresponding cursor on the screen to select a large area of ​​content. Even if the user's finger moves to the bottom edge of the touchpad and wants to temporarily remove the finger from the touchpad and return to the top edge of the touchpad to continue dragging the cursor on the screen, the button lock mode will not be released because the object force detected on the touchpad is 0. The button lock mode will be released only when the user's finger applies force on the touchpad again to reach the light pressure threshold value TH1.

[0015] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10. As shown in step 301C, when the button lock mode is entered, if it is determined that the single object has left the touchpad, the release condition is met and the button lock mode is released in step 303. At this time, step 304 will be executed. Step 304 determines whether the pressure of the single object is less than the release threshold value TH2. Since the single object has left the touchpad, the pressure must be less than the release threshold value TH2. Then, step 306 is executed to send the button not pressed signal S2. In this embodiment, when the user has put the touchpad into the button lock mode, the user's finger can move freely on the touchpad without maintaining the same amount of force, so as to move the corresponding cursor on the screen to select the desired large area of ​​content. The button lock mode will be released only when the user's finger leaves the touchpad.

[0016] In one embodiment, the release threshold value TH2 is 1.5 to 3 times greater than the light pressure threshold value TH1, or the difference between the release threshold value TH2 and the light pressure threshold value TH1 is greater than 100g. This can avoid the situation where the two threshold values ​​are too close and the user accidentally touches the heavy pressure gesture when trying to perform a light pressure gesture, thus effectively improving the user's operating experience.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller of the touchpad performs the judgment process of Figures 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9 at a predetermined time interval according to its processing speed, such as every 1ms. The button pressed signal S1 and the button not pressed signal S2 can be distinguished by the 0 and 1 of the button signal in the sent signal packet. For example, if the button pressed signal S1 is to be sent, the button signal is sent as 1; if the button not pressed signal S2 is to be sent, the button signal is sent as 0. For example, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4, from left to right in the timing diagram of Figure 3, when the pressure under the single object has not exceeded the light pressure threshold TH1 and is less than the release... When the threshold value TH2 is reached, steps 201, 202, 203, and 204 are executed in each judgment. The touchpad controller sends a button-not-pressed signal S2, meaning the button signal is 0. However, when the pressure under the single object has not exceeded the light-pressure threshold value TH1 but is greater than the release threshold value TH2, after executing steps 201, 202, and 203 in each judgment, the process returns to step 201. At this time, the touchpad controller is not triggered to send different button signals, so the button-not-pressed signal S2 is still sent, meaning the button signal is 0. Then, when the pressure under the single object exceeds the light-pressure threshold value TH1 but has not exceeded the heavy-pressure threshold value T, the process returns to step 201. When H3 is reached, steps 201, 202, 205, and 206 are executed in each judgment, returning to step 201. The touchpad controller sends a button-pressed signal S1, meaning the button signal is set to 1. When the pressure under the single object exceeds the light pressure threshold TH1 and the heavy pressure threshold TH3, steps 201, 202, 205, 206, 300, 301, and 302 are executed to send the button-pressed signal S1, meaning the button signal is set to 1. When the button lock mode has been entered but the aforementioned release condition has not been met, steps 301 and 302 are executed in each judgment, and the touchpad controller sends a button-pressed signal S1. The key is pressed signal S1, meaning the key signal is 1. When the key is locked and the release condition is met, but the pressure on the single object is not lower than the release threshold TH2, after step 303, steps 304 and 305 are executed for each judgment. The touchpad controller sends the key is pressed signal S1, meaning the key signal is 1. When the key is locked and the release condition is met, and the pressure is lower than the release threshold TH2, after steps 303 and 304, step 306 is executed. The touchpad controller sends the key is not pressed signal S2, meaning the key signal is 0.

[0018] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0019] Figure 1 is a timing diagram before entering the key lock mode; Figure 2 is a flowchart of the present invention before entering the key lock mode; Figure 3 is a timing diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 is a flowchart of the present invention after entering the key lock mode; Figure 5 is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention after entering the key lock mode; Figure 6 is a timing diagram corresponding to Figure 5; Figure 7 is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention after entering the key lock mode; Figure 8 is a timing diagram corresponding to Figure 7; Figure 9 is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention after entering the key lock mode; Figure 10 is a timing diagram corresponding to Figure 9.

Claims

1. A control method for locking buttons on a touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a controller, and the control method includes the following steps: a. Determine if a single object is in contact with the touchpad; if so, proceed to step b. b. Determine if the pressure under the single object exceeds a light pressure threshold; if so, the controller sends a button press signal to an operating system and continues to step c. c. When the pressure under the single object exceeds a heavy pressure threshold, a button lock mode is entered, wherein the heavy pressure threshold is greater than the light pressure threshold, and the light pressure threshold is greater than a release threshold. d. In the button lock mode, the controller continuously sends a signal that the button has been pressed to the operating system and determines whether the single object meets a release condition; e1. If it is determined in step d that the release condition is not met, the controller continues to send the signal that the button has been pressed to the operating system; And e2. If, in step d, it is determined that the release condition is met, then it is determined whether the pressure under the single object is lower than the release threshold value. If it is determined that the pressure under the single object is lower than the release threshold value, then the controller sends a button not pressed signal to the operating system.

2. The control method for locking the touchpad buttons as described in claim 1, wherein in step d, the release condition is: determining whether the pressure under the single object exceeds the heavy pressure threshold value again.

3. The control method for locking the touchpad buttons as described in claim 1, wherein in step d, the release condition is: determining whether the pressure under the single object exceeds the light pressure threshold value again.

4. The control method for locking the touchpad buttons as described in claim 1, wherein in step d, the release condition is: determining whether the single object has left the touchpad.

5. A control method for locking the touchpad buttons as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in step b, if the determination is no, it is determined whether the pressure under the single object is lower than a release threshold value; if so, the controller sends a signal that the button has not been pressed to the operating system.

6. A control method for locking a touchpad button as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in step e2, when it is determined that the pressure under the single object is higher than the release threshold, the controller continuously sends a signal that the button is pressed to the operating system.

7. The control method for locking the touchpad buttons as described in claim 5, wherein in step e2, when it is determined that the pressure under the single object is higher than the release threshold, the controller continuously sends a signal that the button is pressed to the operating system.

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