Mobile Terminal Touch Input Categorization via Area Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals with touch panels face limitations in user interface functionality due to the limited number of distinct touch inputs available for operating complex functions, making it inconvenient to perform various operations without peripheral devices like keyboards or mice.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal configuration that differentiates between 'palm touch' and 'finger touch' inputs based on pre-set area thresholds, allowing for distinct modes of operation such as palm touch mode and finger touch mode, which enable different functions and interactions by tracking touched areas, movement distances, directions, and holding times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a touch panel is used instead of peripheral devices, then portability is improved, but the number of distinct touch inputs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidnumber of distinct touch inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by analyzing multiple characteristics of touch inputs including touched area, movement distance, movement direction, and holding time. By varying these parameters, the system can distinguish between different input types (palm touch vs. finger touch) and execute different functions, thereby increasing the versatility of the touch panel without adding physical peripherals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are added to a mobile terminal, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomplex operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments touch inputs into different categories based on their characteristics: palm touch inputs (larger touched area) and finger touch inputs (smaller touched area). Each category can trigger different functions or modes, allowing multiple functions to be accessed through a unified touch interface without increasing physical device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the detected touch characteristics. By monitoring parameters such as touched area, movement distance, direction, and holding time in real-time, the system can adaptively execute different operations, enabling complex functionality through dynamic response to varying input patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3859505B1Mobile terminal and method of operating a user interface therein
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3859505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3859505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile terminal having a touch screen and a method of operating a user interface in the mobile terminal. The method includes: detecting a touch input, determining a touched area corresponding to the touch input; and executing different functions according to whether the touched area is equal to or greater than a pre-set area threshold. The touch inputs may be categorised according to their properties including touched area, movement, movement distance and movement direction.