Large Scale Touch System Triangulation and Virtual Mouse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large scale touch systems face challenges in user interaction due to the size of the touch surface, where users may not be able to physically reach upper regions or interact with content on the opposite side, and displayed objects like modal boxes can be difficult to identify, leading to inconvenient navigation and potential disruption of the image.
Innovation Solution
The system facilitates user interaction by displaying a scaled version of the image at a user-accessible location, positioning text input and display regions adjustably, tracking user movement to present objects proximate to the user, highlighting important objects, and using on-screen controls like a mouse object to manage interactions across the touch surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the touch surface is made large to display visible presentations to large groups, then the area of the touch surface is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot physically reach upper regions or interact with content on the opposite side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control object (virtual mouse or touchpad) that mediates between the user and the large touch surface. This control object is displayed at a user-accessible location and allows users to interact with distant regions of the touch surface without physically reaching them, effectively bridging the gap between user reach and display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the large touch surface interaction interface at a user-accessible location. The control object replicates essential interaction functions (clicking, scrolling, navigation) in a compact form that users can easily access, allowing them to control the entire large display from a localized position.
2Area of stationary object
If the touch surface is made large to accommodate more display content, then the area of the touch surface is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases because displayed objects like modal boxes become difficult to identify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control object provides visual feedback about the current interaction state and position on the large touch surface. This helps users understand which region they are currently controlling and what objects are active, making it easier to detect and identify displayed objects even on a large surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes and visual highlighting to make displayed objects more distinguishable. Important objects such as modal boxes can be highlighted or colored differently to draw user attention, and the control object itself may change appearance to indicate different interaction states, improving object detection on the large surface.
3Ease of operation
If users are required to move to interact with different regions of the large touch surface, then the ease of operation is improved for reaching all areas, but the loss of time increases due to inconvenient navigation and potential disruption of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The control object serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for users to physically move to different locations on the large touch surface. Users remain at a fixed, accessible position and use the control object to navigate and interact with any region of the display, significantly reducing navigation time and avoiding disruption to the displayed image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of physically moving to different display locations with an electronic/digital control mechanism. The virtual mouse or touchpad allows users to navigate the large surface through software-based cursor movement and coordinate mapping, substituting physical displacement with digital signal processing.
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
This approach allows users to interact with the entire touch surface without needing to move inconveniently, ensures visible objects are easily identified, and maintains continuous interaction with the display area, enhancing usability and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
processing structure communicating with said imaging devices and processing image data acquired by said imaging devices to determine pointer contacts on said touch surface using triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
A touch system comprises a large scale touch surface on which an image is presented and at least two imaging devices looking across the touch surface and having overlapping fields of view. Processing structure communicates with the imaging devices and processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to determine pointer contacts on the touch surface using triangulation. The processing structure further executes at least one application to facilitate user interaction with the touch surface. Methods of interacting with the touch surface are also disclosed.