Multifunction Device Touch Control for Remote Navigation

Solution Overview

Problem

User interactions with electronic devices, particularly battery-operated devices, are hindered by the need for dedicated remote controls with button-click functionality, which can increase interaction time and reduce battery life.

Innovation Solution

Simulating dedicated remote control functionality using multifunction devices with touch-sensitive surfaces, where touch inputs are interpreted to mimic button-clicks, allowing for efficient navigation and control of electronic devices without physical button-clicks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated remote control with button-click functionality is used, then control precision is improved, but interaction time increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidinteraction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-click system with a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger contact and sliding gestures. The touch-sensitive surface uses capacitive or resistive sensing to detect touch events, eliminating the need for physical buttons while maintaining control functionality. This substitution reduces mechanical wear and enables more intuitive continuous interaction patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic interaction modes where the system can operate in either click mode (for precise selection) or slide mode (for continuous navigation). The interaction mode can be dynamically switched based on user input patterns, application context, or system state, allowing the interface to adapt between precision-oriented and efficiency-oriented interaction styles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If dedicated remote control with button-click functionality is used, then control precision is improved, but battery energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-click system with a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger contact and sliding gestures. The touch-sensitive surface uses capacitive or resistive sensing to detect touch events, eliminating the need for physical buttons while maintaining control functionality. This substitution reduces mechanical wear and enables more intuitive continuous interaction patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic sampling of touch events rather than continuous monitoring. The system samples touch input at specific intervals and processes touch events in batches, reducing the continuous power consumption associated with constant sensor activation and data processing while maintaining responsive interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If touch-sensitive surface is used instead of physical buttons, then interaction efficiency is improved, but control precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic interaction modes where the system can operate in either click mode (for precise selection) or slide mode (for continuous navigation). The interaction mode can be dynamically switched based on user input patterns, application context, or system state, allowing the interface to adapt between precision-oriented and efficiency-oriented interaction styles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the touch-sensitive surface into multiple functional zones including navigation areas, selection areas, and control areas. Each zone can be independently configured and activated based on the current application context. The surface can be divided into virtual keyboards, directional pads, or media control regions, allowing precise control functions to be distributed across different areas of the touch surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11150798B2Multifunction device control of another electronic device

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 APPLE INC

AI summary

Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more input devices that simulate dedicated remote control functionality for navigating and playing content items available on other electronic devices, and one or more operations related to the above that the input devices and other electronic devices optionally perform. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more multifunction devices via which keyboard input to electronic devices is provided, and one or more operations related to the above that the multifunction devices and the electronic devices optionally perform. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to one or more multifunction devices via which control and/or navigational inputs to electronic devices is provided, and one or more operations related to the above that the multifunction devices and the electronic devices optionally perform.