Capacitive Sensor Touchscreen Illumination for Intuitive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreen devices for electronic devices are not intuitive or easy to operate, particularly in applications where multiple functions need to be accessed and differentiated, leading to confusion among users.
Innovation Solution
A touchscreen with a colored transparent cover and capacitive sensors that provide uniform illumination and selective highlighting of icons and characters, allowing only available options to be displayed, enabling intuitive operation through spatial arrangement and lighting cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a touchscreen with high-resolution display is used, then display quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of tactile feedback and intuitive controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a touchscreen with physical switch elements (capacitive sensors) that provide both visual display and tactile feedback. The switches are integrated into the touchscreen structure, allowing users to benefit from both the high-resolution display and the intuitive tactile interaction of physical switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen is segmented into distinct functional areas with individual switches for different controls. Each switch can be independently activated and illuminated, allowing complex functions to be broken down into simple, intuitive tactile interactions while maintaining high display quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are displayed on touchscreen, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the touchscreen are assigned specific functions with dedicated switches. Each switch can be individually illuminated to highlight its current state or availability, allowing multiple functions to coexist without confusion. The local illumination draws attention to specific controllable elements while leaving others dimmed or unlit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color or intensity changes in the illumination of switches and display elements to indicate different states, available functions, and current selections. This visual differentiation helps users quickly understand which functions are active or selectable, reducing confusion when multiple functions are displayed.
3Illumination intensity
If all switches and display elements are continuously illuminated, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous illumination, the patent implements periodic or conditional illumination where switches and display elements are illuminated only when relevant, selected, or when their corresponding functions are available. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining visibility of active controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial illumination by lighting up only the necessary or currently relevant switches and display elements rather than illuminating everything continuously. This selective illumination approach reduces energy usage while ensuring that users can see and interact with the functions they need.
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
Simplifies the operation of electronic devices by clearly highlighting available functions and reducing user confusion, while maintaining a uniform and adaptable appearance, and allowing for complex switch representations with multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
Because the sensors are in the form of capacitive switches
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for entering control commands into an electronic device, wherein the control device comprises a touch screen, and various control menus can be displayed on the touch screen, wherein the touch screen is disposed behind a colored transparent cover, transparent or semitransparent sensors are disposed behind the colored transparent cover adjacent to the touch screen, wherein the sensors are implemented for detecting the presence of an input organ in front of the colored transparent cover, illuminable symbols and/or illuminable characters are disposed in front of the transparent or semitransparent sensors, light sources for illuminating the touch screen and the illuminable symbols or characters are present.