Floating Soft Trigger Icon for Touch Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with touch screen interfaces for data capture, such as barcode readers and RFID tag scanners, often require physical trigger buttons, which hinder handheld use and increase device bulk, and lack intuitive interfaces for toggling between modes and displaying transaction details.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device with a touch screen interface featuring a floating trigger icon that can be toggled using various control gestures, allowing seamless switching between data capture modes and providing a streamlined design without physical buttons, along with a customizable interface for displaying transaction results and alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical trigger button is provided on the housing, then device functions can be activated, but the device bulk increases and handheld use is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandheld useVSAvoiddevice bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical trigger button with a software-based virtual trigger icon displayed on the touch screen. This substitution eliminates the need for additional physical components while maintaining the triggering function, thereby reducing device bulk and improving handheld usability without sacrificing operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual representation (copy) of the trigger function through a virtual icon on the display screen. This digital copy performs the same functional role as a physical button would, allowing users to activate device functions through touch interaction with the screen rather than pressing a physical component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate individual buttons are provided for enabling functions, then function activation is possible, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction activationVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal virtual trigger icon that can perform multiple functions depending on the context and mode. Instead of requiring separate buttons for different functions, the single virtual trigger serves as a multi-functional control element that activates different operations based on the current device state, thereby reducing interface complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple function activation controls into a single virtual trigger icon on the touch screen. By combining what would traditionally require multiple separate physical buttons into one unified digital interface element, the system reduces overall device complexity while preserving the ability to enable various functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a physical trigger button is provided, then device functions can be activated, but the design becomes less streamlined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction activationVSAvoiddesign streamlined

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical physical button with a software-based virtual icon on the touch screen, the patent achieves a more streamlined and sleek device design. The elimination of protruding physical components allows for a smoother, more integrated form factor while maintaining full functionality through the graphical user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10671277B2Floating soft trigger for touch displays on an electronic device with a scanning module

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 DATALOGIC USA INC

AI summary

A portable electronic device (100) having a touch screen (112) with a floating soft trigger icon (175) for enabling various functions of the electronic device (100), such as bar code reading, capturing RFID data, capturing video and images, calling applications, and/or placing phone calls. The floating trigger icon (175) is displayed on the touch screen (112) to enable easy identification and access of the trigger icon (175). The trigger icon (175) may be selected via application of any one of various unique control gestures (200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260) to configure the electronic device (100). Based on the selected mode or function of the device (100), the trigger icon (175) may alter its appearance to facilitate use of the device (100). The operation and functionality of the trigger icon (175) may be programmed to customize operation of the device (100).