Rear Touch Panel Positioning for Ergonomic Portable Device Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices lack diverse and efficient operational methods as they evolve to handle various application software, particularly in providing stable and ergonomic designs for both front and rear surface interactions.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design featuring a rectangular display area on the front surface with curved side surfaces for ergonomic holding, a rear touch panel, and strategically positioned operative sticks and buttons that allow for easy operation and minimize finger movement errors, with the rear touch panel positioned upward to facilitate stable holding and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operative members are arranged on the front surface with a touch panel, then diverse operation methods are enabled, but finger movement errors increase and operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the touch panel on the rear surface instead of the front surface. This allows the front surface to be dedicated to physical operative members (buttons and sticks) that are easier to operate accurately, while the rear touch panel provides diverse operation methods. The inversion resolves the contradiction by separating the functions: front surface for precise physical operations, rear surface for diverse touch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the rear surface dimension to place the touch panel, effectively adding a new operational dimension. Instead of competing for space on the front surface, the touch panel operates from the rear dimension, allowing users to interact with the device from different spatial perspectives. This dimensional separation enables both physical buttons and touch operations to coexist without interfering with each other's operability.
2Device complexity
If the rear touch panel is positioned downward, then device structure is simplified, but holding stability and operation ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the touch panel in the upper portion of the rear surface, which is the optimal location for thumb operation when the device is held in one hand. This specific positioning considers the ergonomic characteristics of human hand holding patterns, placing the touch panel where it is most accessible without compromising overall device structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operative members are arranged on the front surface, then operation functionality is enhanced, but device width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the touch panel operation interface from the front surface to the rear surface, effectively utilizing the rear dimension to provide additional operational functionality. This allows the front surface to maintain a compact width with essential physical buttons, while the rear surface provides extended operational capabilities through the touch panel without increasing the device's front width.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic device (1) has hold parts (1R, 1L) constituting respective right and left side parts of the electronic device 1 and being available to be held by a user. Operating sticks (3R, 3L) are provided on the respective hold parts (1R, 1L). A rear touch panel (21) is provided on the rear surface of the electronic device (1). The rear touch panel (21) is provided in at least an area located further upward than a positions P opposite from the operation sticks (3R, 3L). This layout of the rear touch panel (21) allows a user to smoothly operate the rear touch panel (21) while holding the hold parts of the electronic device.