Single Controller for Pointing Stick and Touchpad Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic systems require separate controllers for processing sensing signals from pointing sticks and touchpads, leading to complex maintenance and repair procedures due to separate signal processing and transmission paths.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system with a single controller that processes signals from both pointing sticks and touchpads via a shared transmission path, reducing the need for multiple controllers and simplifying maintenance by using a single connecting unit and transmission paths for both analog and digital signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate controllers are used to process sensing signals of the pointing stick and touchpad respectively, then signal processing functionality is ensured, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate controllers (pointing stick controller and touchpad controller) into a single integrated controller. This controller includes a first processing unit for pointing stick signals and a second processing unit for touchpad signals, allowing both input devices to be processed by one unified component rather than requiring two separate controllers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full signal processing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both pointing stick and touchpad signals simultaneously. It includes a first interface unit for receiving pointing stick signals and a second interface unit for receiving touchpad signals, enabling a single controller to perform the roles previously requiring two separate controllers, thus simplifying the overall system architecture
2Reliability
If two separate controllers are used for pointing stick and touchpad, then dedicated signal processing is achieved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the pointing stick controller and touchpad controller into a single integrated controller, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be accessed and tested during maintenance. The integrated controller includes both processing units and interface units in one component, allowing technicians to service one unit rather than two separate controllers, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining dedicated signal processing capabilities through internal separation of functions
3Reliability
If separate transmission paths are used for pointing stick and touchpad signals, then signal integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission paths by having both the pointing stick and touchpad connect to the same integrated controller. The controller includes a first interface unit for pointing stick signals and a second interface unit for touchpad signals, both communicating with the same controller body. This reduces the number of separate transmission paths from two independent chains to one unified communication channel, simplifying the transmission structure while maintaining signal integrity through dedicated interface units within the controller
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic system is provided, which includes a mainboard, a pointing stick and a touchpad module, a first transmission path and a second transmission path. The mainboard is disposed with a first connecting unit. The pointing stick is connected to the first connecting unit through a transmission line. The touchpad module includes a circuit board, a second connecting unit and a controller. The circuit board includes a touch sensor. The first transmission path and the second transmission path are connected between the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit. The sensing signal outputted by the pointing stick is transmitted to the controller through the transmission line, the first connecting unit, the first transmission path and the second connecting unit. The output signal of the controller is transmitted to the mainboard through the second connecting unit, the second transmission path and the first connecting unit.