Icon Depth Control via Electrostatic Proximity Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GUI technologies require physical touch to select and execute functions allocated to icons, which can lead to screen contamination and potential damage, and lack clear user feedback on selection.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that changes the display depth of icons in response to proximity, using a 3D display with a parallax barrier system and electrostatic capacitance sensors to create a visually perceptible change in depth without physical contact, allowing function execution and clear user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touchscreen is used to select and execute icon functions, then user interaction is enabled, but screen contamination and potential damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrostatic capacitance sensor as an intermediary between the user's finger and the display screen. The sensor detects changes in electrostatic capacitance caused by the finger's approach, enabling icon selection without physical contact with the screen surface, thus preventing contamination and damage while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch interaction system with an electrostatic field-based detection system. Instead of requiring physical contact (mechanical interaction), the system uses electrostatic capacitance changes to detect finger approach and trigger icon selection, eliminating the harmful mechanical contact while preserving the selection function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact icon selection is implemented, then screen damage is prevented, but user feedback on selection becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a depth display feedback mechanism where the selected icon is visually distinguished by appearing to protrude from the screen surface. This depth-based visual feedback clearly indicates which icon is selected, compensating for the lack of tactile feedback from non-contact interaction and preventing information loss about the selection state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a depth dimension to the otherwise two-dimensional display by making the selected icon appear to protrude outward. This dimensional change provides intuitive visual feedback about icon selection, making the selection state clearly perceivable without requiring physical touch while maintaining screen protection
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 the selection and execution of icon functions without touching the screen, preventing damage and providing clear user feedback through visual and potentially auditory cues.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects when the object is a predetermined distance from the display. the sensor is an electrostatic capacitance sensor that is included as an integral part of the display.
Implementation Method 2
the control circuit changes a parallax of the part so as to create a visually perceptual change in display depth of the part.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit, method and computer program product cooperate to provide a controllable depth of display of at least a part of a graphical user interface. Moreover, the control unit includes a control circuit that controls a depth display of an icon, which may be a user-selectable icon, as part of the graphical user interface. The control circuit changes the depth of display of the icon when an object is detected as approaching the display. In this way, a user is provided with visual feedback when the user is interacting with the graphical user interface.