Pointer Contact Detection and Rejection in Interactive Input Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive input systems face challenges in accurately determining the exact location of physical interactions on a display, particularly in touch systems, due to unwanted contacts such as palm or sleeve interactions, which reduce system functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to calculate a restricted area around a primary pointer contact, inhibiting processing of secondary contacts within this area to differentiate between intended and unintended interactions, using a processor and memory to execute instructions for determining and managing pointer contacts on an input surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system processes all pointer contacts on the display, then all touch events are captured, but false touch events from unwanted contacts (palm, sleeve) significantly reduce system functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a restricted area with different processing rules around the primary pointer contact location. Contacts within this restricted area are rejected while contacts outside are processed normally. This localized differentiation allows the system to filter unwanted contacts (palm, sleeve) near intentional touches while maintaining full functionality for legitimate interactions elsewhere on the display.
2Reliability
If the system rejects contacts within a restricted area, then false touch events are reduced, but legitimate contacts in that area may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing the restricted area around the primary pointer contact before processing secondary contacts. This pre-defined zone allows the system to automatically differentiate between unwanted contacts (which typically occur near the primary contact point) and legitimate separate interactions. The restricted area is calculated based on the primary contact location, creating a proactive filter that reduces false events while preserving genuine user input.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising obtaining a first location of a first pointer contact on an input surface; calculating a restricted area proximate the first location; processing the first pointer contact; and inhibit processing of a second location of a second pointer contact within the restricted area.