Self-Centering Tactile Thumb Joystick for Touch Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen devices lack tactile feedback, which negatively impacts user experience, especially during gaming or navigation on devices like smartphones and smart television remote controllers, as they provide no physical sensation when activating virtual buttons.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering tactile thumb joystick with a hollow housing, puck, resilient member, and tacky layer that can be removeably mounted on a touch screen, allowing users to control virtual directional pads with tactile feedback by moving the puck over the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a touch screen is used for input, then the device interface is simplified and modern, but tactile feedback is lost resulting in poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
A physical joystick assembly with puck, stem, and button is introduced as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between touch screen operation and tactile feedback needs. The joystick provides mechanical resistance and tactile sensation while interfacing with the capacitive touch screen through electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the advantages of both touch screen technology (simplicity, modern interface) and physical joysticks (tactile feedback, mechanical sensation) into a single hybrid system where the physical joystick components interact with the digital touch screen interface.
2Ease of operation
If a physical button is added to provide tactile feedback, then user experience improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick is divided into separate functional components: a hollow housing for structural support, a resilient member for centering force, a puck for user interaction, a stem for mechanical connection, and a button for input. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible film with conductive traces is used to create the capacitive interface layer, allowing the physical joystick to interface with the touch screen while maintaining flexibility and conformability to the screen surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a joystick is made removable for versatility, then adaptability improves, but reliability of connection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable connection mechanism replaces traditional mechanical fasteners with adhesive bonding technology, allowing the joystick to be securely attached to and removed from the touch screen without mechanical hardware that could loosen or fail.
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
The solution provides tactile feedback and improved user experience by allowing users to navigate and control virtual directional pads on touch screens with physical interaction, enhancing sensory engagement during gaming and other interactive tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member disposed in an extended state and inwardly biasing against both said wall element and puck to centre said puck with respect to said upper opening
Implementation Method 2
a tacky layer disposed on said film so that said thumb joystick is removeably mountable on said touch screen
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a self-centering, tactile thumb joystick for use to control a virtual directional pad displayed on a touch screen of an electronic gadget. The thumb joystick is removeably mounted on the touch screen so that movement of a puck via a stem and a button operates the virtual directional pad to control a software running in the electronic gadget. A resilient member, in the form of an annular spring or garter spring, biasing inwardly against a wall element formed around an opening of a hollow housing of the thumb joystick centers the puck when a user releases activating the button.