One-Handed Operation Device with Segmented Thumb and Finger Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
One-handed operation devices limit finger input to specific fingers, such as thumbs, making it difficult to operate multiple controls efficiently due to the need for wide thumb movement and varying thumb postures, which hinders operation of other buttons and controls.
Innovation Solution
The design of an operation device with a thumb operating area and a rear operation area allows for separate zones for thumb and index/middle finger inputs, featuring an inclination operation member and direction designation buttons, enabling efficient operation of multiple controls with minimal thumb movement and reduced risk of erroneous button presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation members are provided on the enclosure surface to realize various operation inputs, then the functionality and versatility of the operation device is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because a user needs to move a particular finger in a relatively wide range to operate all members with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The operation device divides the operation members into two distinct groups: a first group arranged in a first area accessible to the thumb, and a second group arranged in a second area accessible to index or middle fingers. This spatial segmentation allows different fingers to operate different control groups simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between providing multiple operation members and maintaining ease of one-handed operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an inclination operation member is included to enable various operation inputs, then the versatility of the operation device is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user needs to change the posture of the thumb in various manners in addition to moving the thumb in a wide range
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination operation member is placed in the first area designated for thumb operation, separating it from the second area for index/middle finger operation. This segmentation allows the thumb to maintain a relatively fixed posture while operating the inclination member, while other fingers independently operate buttons in the second area, reducing the complexity of thumb movement postures required.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination operation member provides additional degrees of freedom for thumb input by allowing tilting movements in multiple directions. This dimensional addition enables rich operation inputs without requiring the thumb to reach across the entire device surface, as the inclination member concentrates multiple input possibilities in a localized area accessible to the thumb.
3Device complexity
If operation members are arranged to be operated by a single finger such as the thumb, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates because it becomes difficult to operate other operation members with other fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The operation device segments the control members into two functional groups positioned in different areas: first operation members in a first area for thumb operation, and second operation members in a second area for index or middle finger operation. This segmentation enables multiple fingers to operate simultaneously, significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an operation device for use by a user by holding in one hand, comprising a thumb operating area (12) defined on a surface of the enclosure of the operation device, where an operation member to be operated by the user, using his/her thumb, while holding the operation device is provided; an inclination operation member (14) including a stick part projecting from the thumb operating area (12), for being operated by the user by inclining the stick part, using the thumb; and an operation button (18) provided on the surface of the enclosure in a position opposed to the thumb operating area (12), being capable of being pressed by the user, using another finger, in a direction intersecting a direction toward the inclination operation member (14).