Intelligent Stencil Mask for Touch Screen Inadvertent Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen interfaces in industrial, commercial, and consumer electronics face issues with inadvertent interactions due to accidental brushes, vibrations, or environmental factors, which can lead to system malfunctions or safety issues, as existing solutions fail to differentiate between functions of varying operational significance.
Innovation Solution
A context-sensitive intelligent stencil mask system is implemented, using a software-defined virtual mask to prevent direct user interactions or require additional processing, allowing users to define interaction requirements beyond the limits of the operating system, and dynamically reconfigure masks based on user interactions and task context to reduce inadvertent activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a virtual mask is used to prevent inadvertent interactions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen interface is divided into multiple zones with different interaction permissions. The virtual mask segments the interface into protected regions (where inadvertent touches are blocked) and accessible regions (where user interactions are allowed). This segmentation approach prevents system-wide complexity by localizing protection mechanisms to specific interface areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual mask acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the control functions. It mediates touch inputs by evaluating whether each touch should be permitted or blocked based on its location and the current task context. This intermediary mechanism protects critical functions without requiring changes to the underlying system architecture.
2Reliability
If the virtual mask restricts user interactions to reduce inadvertent activations, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual mask dynamically adapts its configuration based on the current task context and operational state. During critical operations, the mask becomes more restrictive to prevent inadvertent activations. During normal operations, the mask becomes more permissive to maintain ease of operation. This dynamic adjustment ensures that protection levels match the actual risk profile of each operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the touch screen interface have different interaction characteristics and risk profiles. The virtual mask applies localized protection strategies to each region based on its function and importance. Critical control functions receive stricter protection, while non-critical areas maintain full accessibility. This local quality approach ensures that ease of operation is preserved in low-risk areas while reliability is enhanced in high-risk areas.
3Reliability
If the virtual mask is dynamically reconfigured based on task context, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple mask configurations corresponding to different task contexts and operational states. Before entering a critical operation, the system proactively applies the appropriate protective mask configuration. This preliminary action approach eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis during critical operations, as the protection strategy is already in place. The system simply transitions between pre-configured mask states based on the current task context.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for employing an intelligent stencil mask to interact with a touch screen interface and thereby reduce the probability of accidental control function activation. A touch screen interface onboard an aircraft is coupled to a processor and is configured to generate a first virtual mask having a first region and a second region. A user interaction is then detected with one of the first region and the second region. A first reconfigured virtual mask is generated if the user interacted with the second region. However, an aircraft control function is activated if the user interacted with the first region.