Dynamic Contact Point Interface for Capacitive Touch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch-sensitive devices are limited in interacting with objects that do not utilize pressure changes, restricting the types of tangible user interfaces that can be used, as they require special designed materials to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic interface device with dynamic contact points and a trigger system that simulates touch actions on a touch-sensitive surface, allowing interaction through dielectric and conductive materials, enabling the activation and deactivation of contact points to mimic various touch actions such as swipes, taps, and clicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capacitive input devices use electrical charge sensing to generate signals, then the device can function as a touch input device, but only specially designed tangible user interfaces with specific materials can work with it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that physically contacts the capacitive touch surface through a contact point area. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the user's diverse objects and the capacitive sensor, translating various touch actions into standardized electrical signals that the capacitive device can recognize, thereby enabling compatibility with objects that wouldn't naturally interact with capacitive surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary device creates a copy or simulation of natural finger touch interactions. By using a contact point area that replicates the electrical characteristics of a human finger touching the screen, the system can interpret signals from various objects as if they were finger touches, allowing diverse objects to control the capacitive interface through the intermediary's contact point.
2Measurement precision
If capacitive input devices require special designed materials to function, then the device can accurately sense touch, but the range of compatible user interfaces is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary device with its contact point area serves as a buffer that maintains the precise electrical characteristics needed for accurate capacitive sensing while accepting a variety of external objects. The contact point area is specifically designed to interact with the capacitive surface, ensuring measurement precision, while the overall device structure allows diverse objects to interface with it through mechanical contact rather than requiring special materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trigger activates dynamic contact points to simulate touch actions, then multiple touch actions can be simulated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism is segmented into multiple independent triggers, each capable of activating specific contact points or contact point areas. This segmentation allows each trigger to be relatively simple in design while collectively providing complex touch action simulation capabilities. Each trigger segment can be independently controlled to create different touch patterns, reducing the complexity of any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact points are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to be activated or deactivated based on which trigger is engaged. This dynamic configuration enables the same physical hardware to simulate multiple different touch actions (single touch, multi-touch, swipes, etc.) without requiring separate physical structures for each action, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
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
Enables interaction with capacitive touch-sensitive surfaces using diverse objects, providing a versatile and intuitive interface that can simulate multiple touch actions, enhancing user experience and expanding the range of compatible interfaces beyond traditional capacitive materials.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive input devices sense an electrical charge of an object to generate signals. Therefore, capacitive input devices are constructed from materials that store electrical charges in an electrostatic grid of tiny wires
Implementation Method 2
a contact point is activated by inducing a current to the capacitive material or conductor of the contact point
Implementation Method 3
a contact point is activated by inducing a current to the capacitive material or conductor of the contact point
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for interacting with a touch sensitive surface includes a trigger and a contact point area associated with the touch sensitive surface; wherein the trigger is adapted to activate and/or deactivate one or more dynamic contact points defined within or adjacent to the contact point area to simulate one or more touch action of the touch sensitive surface.