Haptic Input Device Cursor Drag Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic input devices for car navigation systems face issues with accurately dragging a cursor into a menu selection button, especially when drag areas for multiple buttons overlap, leading to unintended cursor movements and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A haptic input device that computes a movement direction distance vector and button distance vectors to determine the target button with the shortest movement time, ensuring the cursor is reliably dragged into the intended button, using a trackball manipulation unit, detection sensors, and an electromagnetic brake for haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drag areas for multiple buttons are established in advance, then cursor positioning is facilitated, but cursor may be erroneously dragged into unintended button when drag areas overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter for determining target button from spatial inclusion (whether cursor is within drag area) to temporal comparison (which button has shortest movement time). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the selection criterion independent of overlapping drag area boundaries while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/geometric drag area boundary system with a computational time-based selection system. Instead of using fixed spatial boundaries that cause ambiguity in overlap regions, the system computes movement times to multiple buttons and selects based on the shortest time, eliminating the harmful effect of overlapping boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If cursor is automatically dragged into button using drag area, then selection process is simplified, but user comfort deteriorates when cursor moves to unintended button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback by computing and comparing movement times to multiple buttons before executing cursor movement. This feedback mechanism ensures the cursor is dragged only to the intended button (the one with shortest movement time), eliminating unintended movements and associated user discomfort while maintaining simplified selection process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are displayed in various array forms, then display flexibility is improved, but drag control accuracy deteriorates due to overlapping drag areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from spatial boundary checking to time-based comparison, which remains accurate regardless of button arrangement. This allows multiple buttons to be displayed in various array forms (improving adaptability) while maintaining precise drag control (preventing deterioration of accuracy) by computing which button the user intends based on movement time.
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
The device improves user experience by accurately selecting the intended button, reducing user discomfort and enhancing operability through precise cursor control and haptic stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
drive means that exerts a drive force to the manipulation unit
Data Source
AI summary
A distance vector from the original cursor position where the cursor exists before the manipulation to the cursor movement destination position is set to a movement direction distance vector, distance vectors from the original cursor position to each button position of a plurality of buttons are set to button distance vectors, and the button having the shortest movement time is determined as a target button intended by a user by computing the movement time to a plurality of buttons using the movement direction distance vector and a plurality of button distance vectors, so that the display control of the display unit is performed such that the cursor is dragged into the target button.