Rear Surface Touch Input with Visual Feedback for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable devices with rear surface input systems face challenges in operability due to difficulties in precisely targeting input positions, increased manufacturing costs, and susceptibility to erroneous operations caused by hand jiggling, especially when used in unstable conditions like cars or walking.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a rear surface touch-input system that includes a state assessment unit, index display unit, provisionally determined position storage, and input determination unit, allowing for a two-step operation of position designation and definite determination to ensure accurate input, without the need for additional sensors or device complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transparent material is used for the rear surface input part, then the user can see through the finger placed around the rear surface, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays a visual indicator (copy of finger position) on the front display screen that corresponds to the finger's position on the rear surface. This allows the user to see through the finger indirectly via the displayed position, eliminating the need for transparent materials while maintaining operability.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors or protruding objects are added to the rear surface, then accurate input positioning is enabled, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensors or protruding objects with a software-based solution. The touch panel detects finger position electronically, and the system displays a visual indicator on the front screen to guide positioning, eliminating the need for additional mechanical or optical sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is used in unstable conditions like cars or walking, then portability is maintained, but erroneous operations occur due to hand jiggling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays a visual indicator showing where the finger will be registered on the front display. The user can adjust their finger position on the rear surface to align with the desired input location before actually making the input, compensating for hand jiggling in unstable conditions.
4Illumination intensity
If the finger is placed around the rear surface for input, then the display screen visibility is improved, but the precision of touching the intended position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time visual feedback by displaying an indicator on the front screen that shows the exact position where the finger contact on the rear surface will be registered. This feedback loop allows the user to adjust their finger position to achieve precise input while keeping their finger on the rear surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device with a display unit and a rear surface input unit of a touch-input type including a state assessment unit which assesses that a position designation state is applied when detecting a state a contact object is kept contacting the rear surface input unit in a prescribed time or longer; an index display unit for displaying an index on the display unit, corresponding to a position of the contact object contacting the rear surface input unit; a provisionally determined position storage unit for storing in a storage device, an index position when the contact object is removed from the rear surface input unit as a provisionally determined position; and an input determination unit which makes a definite determination of an input at the provisionally determined position stored in the provisionally determined position storage unit based on a definite determination operation.