Proximity Sensor Input for Touchscreen Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touchscreen-enabled communication terminals lack tactile feedback, making it difficult for users, especially visually impaired individuals, to interact efficiently with the input interface.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a proximity sensor to detect the duration of an object's presence and convert it into audible feedback, allowing users to input data without visual assistance, such as dialing a phone number by sensing finger proximity and converting it into voice output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a touchscreen is used instead of keyboard and mouse, then portability is improved, but tactile feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proximity sensing as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the touchscreen interface. By detecting the proximity and duration of finger approach without direct contact, the system provides tactile-like feedback through audible signals while maintaining the portability benefits of touchscreen technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by converting proximity duration into audible numerical feedback. When a user holds their finger near the touchscreen for a specific duration, the system announces the corresponding digit aloud, providing tactile-like information feedback that helps users input data without visual assistance.
2Illumination intensity
If keys are displayed on touchscreen for easy recognition, then visibility is improved, but tactile feedback is further degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tactile feedback system with an acoustic feedback system. Instead of relying on physical key sensations or visual key positions, the system substitutes these with audible numerical announcements generated from proximity duration measurements, eliminating the need for visual or tactile key recognition.
3Ease of operation
If proximity sensing is added to provide tactile feedback, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using the proximity sensor not only for tactile feedback but also for direct input functionality. The same proximity detection mechanism serves dual purposes: providing tactile-like feedback and enabling hands-free numerical input through duration-based digit recognition, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to input data without relying on visual cues, enhancing user convenience and accessibility for visually impaired individuals by allowing interaction through tactile and auditory means.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for sensing proximity of an object within a range of a threshold distance
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for driving a communication terminal are provided. A method for driving a communication terminal according to the present invention includes determining, when a proximity of an object is detected, data based on a proximity duration for which the proximity is maintained, and executing, when an execution request is detected, a function corresponding to the data. Since a specific function is executed in response to the information on the proximity of an object to the communication terminal, there is no need to display touch keys on the screen, resulting in improvement of user's convenience.