Proximity Touch Display Control for Intuitive Image Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display control systems for mobile terminals with touch panels are cumbersome, making it difficult for users to select desired images from multiple channels due to the need for manual key presses and arrow key navigation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a proximity detector and touch detector to allow users to select images by moving an indicator close to and touching the display surface, eliminating the need for physical key presses and arrow key navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical key presses and arrow key navigation are used for image selection, then the receiver can display and navigate through multiple channels, but the manipulation becomes complicated and usability is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage selection manipulationVSAvoidcontrol operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical remote controller system with physical buttons and arrow keys with a touch panel system that detects finger proximity and touch positions. The control unit interprets touch positions as navigation commands, substituting mechanical key presses with capacitive touch detection, thereby simplifying the user interaction for image selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel acts as an intermediary between the user and the receiver system. Instead of directly pressing physical keys, the user interacts with the touch-sensitive display surface, which translates finger touches into navigation commands for selecting images from multiple channels, reducing manipulation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical keys are provided on the remote controller for multi-screen switching and focus movement, then the receiver can perform channel selection functions, but the number of components increases and operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel selection capabilityVSAvoidremote controller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel serves multiple functions: it displays images from multiple channels, detects user input for channel switching, and provides visual feedback for focus movement. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate physical keys and display elements, maintaining channel selection versatility while reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display function and the input control function into a single touch panel assembly. The same surface that displays channel images also detects user touches for navigation, combining what would traditionally be separate components (display screen plus physical buttons) into an integrated touch-sensitive interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8760418B2Display control apparatus, display control method and display control program

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A display control apparatus may include a proximity detector to detect proximity of an indicator to a display surface, and a touch detector to detect touch of the indicator against the display surface. A control unit may control display of an indicant on the display surface when the proximity detector detects that the indicator is in proximity to the display surface, and may determine whether the indicant is selected based on detection of the touch of the indicator against the display surface by the touch detector.