Capacitive-Tactile Interface for Enlarged Key Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with small input devices, such as keypads and touch screens, pose difficulties for visually impaired and non-dexterous users due to the small size and complexity of their interfaces, leading to challenges in accessing functions accurately.
Innovation Solution
Combining capacitive sensors with tactile sensors to provide an enhanced user interface where a capacitive input displays key functions in an enlarged format, allowing users to activate desired functions with tactile input, even if incorrect keys are pressed, thereby improving accessibility and reducing accidental activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the physical size of portable electronic devices is reduced to improve portability, then device portability is improved, but the size of input devices decreases making them difficult to access for visually impaired and non-dexterous users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the input interface by implementing a time-delay activation mechanism. When a key is pressed, the system waits for a predetermined time period before activating the function. This allows users to press keys without immediate activation, reducing errors from accidental presses while maintaining small physical key sizes. The time dimension compensates for the reduced spatial feedback that users experience with miniaturized keys.
2Ease of operation
If conventional capacitive sensors are used to enable capacitive touch input, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating the need for tactile press, but the ability to aid visually impaired users in ascertaining key functions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system provides visual confirmation of key press detection through the display. When a capacitive touch is detected, the system can display information about the detected key or function, allowing visually impaired users to verify which key they are interacting with before activation occurs during the time delay period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and confirmation actions before final function activation. During the predetermined time delay period after a capacitive touch is detected, the system can present additional information about the key function through the display, giving users time to verify they intend to activate the correct function before it executes.
3Volume of moving object
If small key buttons are used to maintain device compactness, then device portability is improved, but the likelihood of pressing incorrect keys or multiple keys increases for non-dexterous users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic timing control to the input activation process. The system uses a predetermined time delay period that can be configured based on user needs. This dynamic temporal parameter allows the system to accommodate varying user dexterities while maintaining compact physical dimensions, as users are given sufficient time to release their finger before activation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The time delay mechanism acts as a cushioning buffer between key press detection and function activation. This predetermined time period allows users to correct accidental presses or prevent multiple key activations by simply releasing their finger before the delay period expires, thereby cushioning against input errors without requiring larger physical keys.
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
The solution enhances the visibility of key functions and reduces the likelihood of activating undesired functions, making it easier for visually impaired and non-dexterous users to operate portable electronic devices by providing an intuitive and error-reducing interface.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive input devices may be equipped with electronic capacitive sensors, which can sense when a finger, stylus, or other input instrument is proximate to or touches an input key or button
Implementation Method 2
a tactile sensor for receiving a tactile input
Data Source
AI summary
To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a user interface combines the use of capacitive sensors with tactile sensors in an input device. When a user places a finger, stylus, or other input instrument near a given key button, a capacitive sensor causes the display to display temporarily an indication of the function of that key in an enlarged format. The user may then press the associated key button to activate the desired function. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive sensor fixes the functionality to the function indicated in the display. In this embodiment, a tactile input applied to any key, whether the correct key, multiple keys, or a single incorrect key, results in activating the function indicated in the display as a result of the capacitive input.