Remote Controller Detection Device for Overlapping Operation Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operability of user operations on remote controllers is compromised due to overlapping pointer operation areas and volume button areas, leading to unintended changes in sound volume when users intend to select link destinations or perform other actions.

Innovation Solution

A detection device and method that acquires the start position of user contact on an operation surface with overlapping areas, using a decision unit to determine the intended operation based on the start position, time of contact, and visual recognition, to differentiate between pointer operations and volume control operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user operation areas are overlapped and arranged on the operation surface to enable multiple functions, then the versatility and functionality of the remote controller is improved, but the operability and accuracy of user operations deteriorates due to ambiguous detection of contact positions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure detection system with an electrical field-based detection system. The operation surface includes a plurality of electrodes that detect contact position through electrical field changes rather than mechanical pressure, enabling precise detection of contact start positions even in overlapping operation areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a detection unit with electrodes as an intermediary between the user's finger contact and the control unit. This intermediary detects the contact start position through electrical field changes and provides accurate position information to the control unit, resolving the ambiguity in overlapping areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the operation surface detects contact position to enable pointer operations and volume control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of the contact position deteriorates when contacts occur in overlapping areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontact position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pressure detection with electrical field-based detection using electrodes. This substitution enables precise measurement of contact start positions by detecting electrical field changes, achieving high measurement precision even in overlapping operation areas where mechanical detection would be ambiguous.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the remote controller uses pressure-sensitive detection to identify user operations, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of operation detection deteriorates due to inability to distinguish intended operations in overlapping areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidoperation detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple pressure-sensitive detection with an electrical field-based detection system using multiple electrodes. This substitution maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving reliability by accurately detecting contact start positions and enabling the control unit to distinguish between different intended operations in overlapping areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection unit continuously monitors electrical field changes on the operation surface and provides real-time contact position information to the control unit. This feedback enables reliable distinction between different operation types (pointer operation vs. volume control) based on detected contact patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11372538B2Detection device and detection method

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a detection device that detects a user operation, the detection device including an acquisition unit that acquires a start position indicating a position on an operation surface at which contact with the operation surface is started, the operation surface having user operation areas overlapped and arranged thereon, the user operation areas being a target of a user operation and detected according to the user operation, the user operation areas having at least one of an operation content and an operation target of the user operation different therein, and a decision unit that decides an operation corresponding to a user operation area that is the target of the user operation among the plurality of user operation areas which are overlapped and arranged, on the basis of the start position. The operation surface is provided on a part different from a display screen that displays content.