Force Sensor Gesture Detection via Centroid Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screens often struggle to detect user inputs accurately when gestures begin outside the sensing region, leading to incorrect interpretation of intended inputs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least three force sensors to detect force inputs and calculate a force centroid, which is used in conjunction with touch signals to analyze and enhance the detection of user inputs, including those starting outside the touch-sensitive area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If touch screens are configured to detect touches only within the sensing region, then the touch detection accuracy is maintained, but gestures starting outside the sensing region cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection accuracyVSAvoidgesture detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends detection capability from the two-dimensional touch screen surface to the three-dimensional space above it. Force sensors detect pressure applied to the cover surface at locations outside the touch-sensitive region, enabling detection of gestures that begin in the air or on non-sensitive surfaces before moving to the touch screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system is divided into multiple components: touch sensors for contact detection within the sensing region, and force sensors for pressure detection outside the sensing region. Each segment handles specific detection tasks, with force sensors capturing gestures in progress outside the touch screen boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If force sensors are added to detect gestures outside the touch screen, then gesture detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensors serve multiple functions: detecting gestures outside the touch screen, determining force centroid locations for input interpretation, and working in conjunction with touch sensors to provide comprehensive input detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If force sensors are used to detect inputs outside the touch-sensitive region, then input detection coverage is improved, but measurement precision for distinguishing intended vs accidental touches may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverage areaVSAvoidinput interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The force centroid location serves as an intermediary parameter that bridges force sensor data and input interpretation. By calculating the centroid of detected forces and comparing it to the touch screen coordinate system, the system accurately determines whether a gesture is intentional or accidental, even when detected outside the traditional touch-sensitive region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9886116B2Gesture and touch input detection through force sensing

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

A computing device configured detect a user input. The computing device includes a processor, a touch interface in communication with the processor and configured to detect a touch signal corresponding to an object approaching or contacting a surface, and at least three force sensors in communication with the processor and configured to detect a force signal corresponding to an object exerting a force on the surface. In response to the force the at least processor determines a force centroid location and the touch signals are processed by the processor by analyzing the force centroid location.