Detachable Input Device with Electrostatic Capacitance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for electronic apparatus with touch panels do not provide a new user experience, as they rely on conventional controllers with cross buttons or push buttons.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a plurality of operating parts and electrodes arranged on an electrostatic capacity type touch panel, allowing the input device to be attached to an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner, with the operating parts surrounding at least three sides of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional controller with cross buttons or push buttons is used for input to a touch panel, then input functionality is achieved, but no new user experience is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the controller and touch panel into a single integrated input device. The operating parts are arranged on a board that can be attached to the electronic apparatus, with electrodes positioned on the touch panel to detect operations through electrostatic capacity changes. This integration creates a unified input interface that provides new user experience while maintaining functional simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is designed to be universally applicable to electronic apparatus with touch panels. The board with operating parts and electrodes can be attached to various devices, and the operating parts can function both as physical buttons and as touch-sensitive elements on the electrostatic capacity type touch panel, providing multi-functional input capabilities.
2Productivity
If operating parts are arranged to surround at least three sides of the electronic apparatus, then multiple users can operate simultaneously, but the device layout becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The operating parts are segmented into multiple groups arranged on different sides of the board. This segmentation allows different users to access different operating parts from different positions, enabling simultaneous operation. The electrodes are also segmented and arranged at different regions on the touch panel corresponding to each operating part group.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating parts are arranged in a two-dimensional layout on the board, surrounding at least three sides of the electronic apparatus. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows multiple users to approach from different directions and operate simultaneously, transforming a one-dimensional linear arrangement into a multi-dimensional spatial configuration.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are arranged at different regions on the touch panel connected to operating parts, then operation detection is enabled, but the touch panel area is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
Electrodes are strategically positioned at specific regions on the touch panel corresponding to the locations of the operating parts. Each electrode is localized to detect electrostatic capacity changes only in its corresponding region, providing precise operation detection without requiring coverage of the entire touch panel area. This local quality approach minimizes the area occupied while maintaining detection accuracy.
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 provides a new user experience by enabling intuitive input operations on an electronic apparatus with a touch panel, allowing multiple users to operate the device simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a change in an electrostatic capacity occurring due to a change in the potential of the electrode between a corresponding region on the touch panel and the electrode is detected by the touch panel
Data Source
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AI summary
An input device 20 can be mounted on an electronic appliance 10 having a touch screen 12 comprising a display unit 13 and an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel 14 disposed on the display unit. The input device includes a plurality of operating units 31 that can be operated by a user, and a plurality of electrodes 43 disposed in different regions on the touch panel. Each electrode is connected to a corresponding operating unit such that an electric potential thereof changes in accordance with an operational state of the operating unit corresponding to the electrode. Further, the electrodes are arranged on the touch panel such that, with the input device mounted on the electronic appliance, the touch panel detects a change in an electrostatic capacitance between each electrode and the corresponding region on the touch panel, where said change arises due to the change in the potential of the electrode. The plurality of operating units are arranged so as to surround at last three sides of the electronic appliance when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a display surface of the touch screen, with the input device mounted on the electronic appliance.