Edge Gesture Input Mechanism for Touchscreen Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touchscreen devices, especially smaller ones like wristwatches and cellular phones, face the challenge of user interaction that obstructs the view due to finger placement, as existing designs require direct contact with the screen for various gestures, limiting usability on compact interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A secondary touch-enabled gesture input mechanism is positioned near the edges of the touchscreen, allowing users to perform gestures like swiping, sliding, and zooming without blocking the screen, using capacitive or resistive sensors that can detect single or multiple touches and provide haptic feedback, and can be integrated into the device's housing or bezel, operating parallel or perpendicular to the touchscreen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gestures are performed directly on the touchscreen, then gesture functionality is achieved, but the user's finger blocks the display view
Solution Approach 1:
The gesture input functionality is extracted from the touchscreen surface and relocated to the device housing or bezel area. The gesture input mechanism includes sensors and actuators positioned on the housing, allowing users to perform gestures without touching the display, thus eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining gesture operation capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced for portability, then compactness is improved, but the touchscreen area for gestures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gesture input interface is extended from the two-dimensional touchscreen surface to the three-dimensional housing structure. By utilizing the lateral surfaces and edges of the device housing, the system creates additional gesture input zones that do not occupy touchscreen area, effectively increasing the gesture interface area without increasing device footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary gesture input mechanism is added to the housing, then off-screen gestures are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses battery and components, and now serves as the substrate for the gesture input mechanism. The same housing elements that provide mechanical support also host the sensors and actuators, eliminating the need for separate gesture input components and reducing overall device complexity.
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 seamless interaction on smaller devices by allowing gestures to be performed off-screen, enhancing usability without obstructing the display, and supporting various functions like scrolling and zooming with minimal visual obstruction, particularly beneficial for compact devices like wristwatches and smartphones.
Implementation Method 1
using capacitive or resistive sensors that can detect single or multiple touches
Implementation Method 2
using capacitive or resistive sensors that can detect single or multiple touches
Data Source
AI summary
A touchscreen device may have a secondary touch-enabled gesture input mechanism located near one or more edges of a touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may sense several gestures, including swiping, sliding, zooming, tapping, and other gestures, and may cooperate or supplement similar gestures that a user may make with the touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may be located parallel to one edge of a touchscreen, such that a user may operate the input device without blocking the touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may be located on a parallel, perpendicular, angled, or other surface with respect to the touchscreen. Some devices may have gesture input mechanisms located around one or more sides of the touchscreen.