Auxiliary Resistive Touch Screen for Gloved Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch screens on mobile electronic devices are difficult to operate when users are wearing gloves and perform poorly in high humidity environments, limiting their usability in certain applications and conditions.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary user input device with a resistive touch screen is secured to a mobile electronic device equipped with a capacitive touch screen, aligning their planes parallel to each other, allowing user input to be received and communicated, enabling operation by non-conductive objects and improving functionality in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a capacitive touch screen is used in a mobile electronic device, then display brightness and response speed are improved, but operability with gloved fingers and resistance to humidity are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a capacitive touch screen and a resistive touch screen into a single integrated touch sensing system. The capacitive layer provides fast response speed, while the resistive layer enables operation with gloved fingers. Both layers share the same display interface and processing circuitry, allowing the system to leverage the advantages of both touch technologies simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated touch screen system serves multiple functions: it detects both capacitive inputs (from bare fingers) and resistive inputs (from gloved fingers or styluses). The system can automatically distinguish between different input types and process them appropriately, making the device universally operable across various conditions without requiring separate touch screen devices.
2Speed
If a capacitive touch screen is used in a mobile electronic device, then response speed is improved, but performance in high humidity environments is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both capacitive and resistive touch sensing layers into a single system. The resistive layer provides reliable operation in high humidity environments where capacitive sensing may fail, while the capacitive layer maintains fast response characteristics. The combined system ensures consistent performance across varying environmental conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a resistive touch screen is used in a mobile electronic device, then operability with non-conductive objects and resistance to environmental conditions are improved, but response speed and force requirement are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges resistive and capacitive touch screening technologies into an integrated system. The resistive layer enables operation with non-conductive objects like gloved fingers, while the capacitive layer provides fast response detection. The system processes inputs from both layers, allowing it to maintain fast response characteristics while enabling operation with various input types.
4Reliability
If a resistive touch screen is used in a mobile electronic device, then ruggedness and environmental resistance are improved, but force requirement to operate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines capacitive and resistive touch sensing in a single integrated structure. The capacitive layer requires minimal force to activate, providing a lightweight operation feel, while the resistive layer maintains ruggedness and environmental resistance. The integrated system leverages the mechanical robustness of the resistive structure while reducing the operational force requirement through capacitive sensing capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the usability of capacitive touch screen devices in various environments and applications by allowing operation with gloved fingers and in humid conditions, providing a cost-effective and rugged solution for increased functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive touch screens generally operate to receive user input based on the principle of charge transfer from the screen to a conductive object such as a user's finger or a special stylus
Implementation Method 2
Resistive touch screens generally operate to receive user input based on the principle of mechanical displacement that causes two layers in the resistive touch screen to create an electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an auxiliary user input device (101, 501, 601) for use with a mobile electronic device (181, 681). The methods involve: releasably securing (703) a first device (101, 601) comprising a resistive touch screen (103, 603) to a second device (181, 681) comprising a capacitive touch screen (183, 683), in a position wherein a primary plane of the capacitive touch screen is substantially aligned in parallel and subjacent to a primary plane of the resistive touch screen; establishing (705) a communication link (641, 643) between a first communications interface (617, 619) in the first device and a second communications interface (657, 659) in the second device; generating resistive touch screen output data in response to user input received (707) at the resistive touch screen; and communicating (713) the resistive touch screen output data from the first device to the second device via the communication link.