Movable Touch Pad Input Device Hinge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices with movable touch pads and switch elements often experience unintended release of the switch element's ON state during operations, particularly near the hinge portion, leading to disrupted drag operations due to variations in pressing force and touch pad rotation.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a control unit that continues the switch element's ON state by detecting the operation body's position and movement within specific regions, including near the hinge portion, and adjusts the continuation control based on operation coordinates, movement distance, and polling data to ensure smooth and flexible operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the touch pad is made movable to enable drag operations with one hand, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the switch element's ON state is worsened due to unintended release during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the operation body's position on the touch pad surface and provides feedback control. When the operation body moves into a specific region near the hinge portion, the control unit automatically continues the switch element's ON state even if it is unintentionally released, ensuring stable operation throughout the drag operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies the specific region near the hinge portion where switch release is likely to occur. Before the operation body enters this region, the control unit prepares to maintain the ON state, and when the operation body is detected in this region, the continuation control is activated proactively to prevent operation disruption
2Ease of operation
If the touch pad is pressed near the hinge portion, then the operability is improved, but the pressing force transmission to the switch element is reduced causing unintended release
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies different control strategies based on the local region where the operation body is detected. When the operation body is in the specific region near the hinge portion, the control unit activates continuation control to maintain the ON state, compensating for the reduced pressing force transmission in this particular location
3Ease of operation
If the touch pad rotates during operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the pressing force applied to the switch element varies causing unstable ON state
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously detects the operation body's position and the touch pad's rotation state, providing real-time feedback control. When rotation causes the operation body to enter the specific region, the control unit adjusts to maintain the ON state, compensating for pressing force variations caused by rotation
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes a touch pad which is rotatably supported and has an upper surface as an input operation surface, a switch element located on a lower side of the touch pad, and a control unit configured to perform a continued-ON state control during an operation of an operation body (finger, etc.) moving on the input operation surface and pressing the input operation surface downwardly to cause the switch element to be in an ON state, the continued-ON state control maintaining the ON state even if the ON state of the switch element is released while the operation of the operation body continues on or in a vicinity of the input operation surface.