Invisible Pointer Input Device for Vehicle Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle environment monitoring and navigation devices require users to constantly watch the screen to select icon switches, increasing user workload and reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system divides the screen into regions based on icon switch frequency of use, using an invisible virtual pointer that moves automatically to select icon switches when the user inputs coordinates, reducing the need for direct screen observation and enhancing user operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a visible pointer is used to select icon switches on screen, then the user can see the selection position, but the user must constantly watch the screen increasing workload and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pointer function from the visual domain to the tactile domain. The invisible pointer removes the visual distraction from the screen while maintaining selection functionality through tactile feedback on the remote controller, allowing users to operate without watching the screen
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tactile feedback mechanism between the user's hand and the selection process. The resistance force generated by the elastic element acts as a mediator that provides positional information about the icon switch without requiring visual attention to the screen
2Productivity
If the screen is divided into regions based on frequency of use, then selection efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different region types (first region for frequently used icon switches, second region for other icon switches) with different selection behaviors. The elastic element generates resistance force specifically when the pointer enters the first region, providing enhanced tactile feedback for important selections without affecting other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-organizes icon switches into frequency-based regions before user interaction. This preliminary arrangement optimizes the selection process by anticipating user needs and positioning frequently used icons in the tactile-sensitive first region, reducing the cognitive load during operation
3Loss of information
If an invisible virtual pointer is used, then screen visibility is improved, but the user cannot see the pointer position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tactile feedback from the elastic element as an intermediary that compensates for the lack of visual pointer information. The resistance force serves as a mediator that communicates pointer position and icon switch boundaries to the user through touch, replacing visual feedback with tactile feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the feedback channels by separating visual information (displayed on screen) from positional feedback (provided through tactile resistance). This segmentation allows the invisible pointer to maintain full screen visibility while providing precise position awareness through the tactile feedback mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
An input device, wherein the screen (18a) of a display device (18) is divided into two regions, a region (A1) and a region (A2), and the icon switch displayed in the region including the position of an invisible pointer (P') is selected. Thus, one of an icon switch (1) and an icon switch (2) that are displayed on the screen (18a) is selected at any time. Consequently, the user will no longer have to watch the screen carefully and perform an operation for moving an instruction marker such as a visible pointer to a desired icon switch, for example as in conventional devices. Accordingly, the user can enter a desired instruction in a short time by selecting a desired icon switch in a short time.