Object Tracking Method for Touch Pads with Fingerprint Dead Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch pads with fingerprint identifying regions create a 'dead zone' where finger tracking is interrupted or inaccurate due to the lack of touch sensing functionality, limiting the size and placement of the fingerprint identifying region.

Innovation Solution

An object tracking method that generates sensing values, calculates object location on a sensing region, and adjusts the location if the object is on or approaching an identifying region, using an object sensing device and an object identifying device to compensate for the lack of touch sensing in the identifying region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fingerprint identifying region is provided in the touch pad, then fingerprint identification function is improved, but object tracking accuracy deteriorates due to dead zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint identification functionVSAvoidobject tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is divided into distinct sensing region and identifying region, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The object sensing device acts as an intermediary that bridges the sensing region and identifying region, providing continuous tracking data even when the object is on the identifying region with weaker sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the fingerprint identifying region is made larger, then fingerprint identification capability is improved, but the dead zone area increases causing more tracking interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint identification capabilityVSAvoidtracking interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary compensation calculations using sensing values from around the identifying region to predict and maintain object location even when the object enters the identifying region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensing values and actively adjusts location calculations based on feedback from both the sensing region and identifying region, maintaining tracking continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the fingerprint identifying region is placed in the center of the touch pad, then user accessibility is improved, but tracking dead zone is maximized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoiddead zone area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the parameters used for location calculation based on the object's position, using different sensing value combinations when the object is near versus when it is on the identifying region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11048907B2Object tracking method and object tracking system

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

An object tracking method applied to an object tracking system comprising an object sensing device, an object identifying device, and a control interface comprising an object sensing region and an object identifying region. The object tracking method comprises: (a) generating object sensing values via the object sensing device; (b) calculating a location for the object on the object sensing region according to the object sensing values; and (c) adjusting the location for the object if the object sensing device or the object identifying device determines at least part of the object is on the object identifying region. The step (c) can adjust the location for the object if the object will enter the object identifying region. By this way, the dead zone issue for the control interface can be avoided.