Extended Touch Input Driver for One-Hand Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Larger mobile computing devices are difficult for users with small hands or short fingers to operate with one hand due to their size, as existing touch input methods do not effectively accommodate extended reach or gestures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an extended user touch input mode that uses a touch input driver to detect and report inputs at an extended point or area of the touch-sensitive screen, facilitated by a virtual finger or stylus, allowing users to interact with the device beyond the actual touch point through predetermined gestures and visual aids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If larger size mobile computing devices are used, then display area and functionality are improved, but ease of operation with one hand deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidone-hand operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual finger as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's actual finger and the touch screen. The virtual finger extends beyond the actual contact point, allowing users to interact with distant areas of the screen without physically reaching those areas. This resolves the contradiction by providing extended reach capability while maintaining one-hand operation on larger devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy (virtual finger) of the user's actual finger that can reach areas beyond the physical limitations of the user's hand. This virtual copy allows the user to interact with the extended area of the touch screen as if their finger were physically present at that location, enabling one-hand operation on larger devices without compromising display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If touch input area is extended beyond actual touch point, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended reachVSAvoidinput system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a virtual copy of the finger rather than adding physical components to extend the touch input area. This virtual modeling approach achieves extended reach capability through software simulation rather than hardware modification, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for physical mechanical extension of the finger with a computational model (virtual finger) that calculates and simulates the extended touch point based on gesture recognition and geometric relationships. This substitution of mechanical concepts with computational methods achieves extended reach while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10156928B2Extended user touch input

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with extended user touch input are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a touch input driver to detect and report user touch inputs through a touch-sensitive screen of the apparatus. Further, the touch input driver is to provide support for user touch input at an extended point or area of the touch-sensitive screen beyond an actual touch point or area of the touch-sensitive screen. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.