Tactile Characteristic Surface for Miniaturized Device Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of electronic devices reduces screen area, making it uncomfortable for users to provide input, and motion-based sensors are not suitable for general control, while existing touch-based interfaces lack tactile feedback and require electrical properties.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a characteristic surface that generates vibrations upon touch, detected by a vibration detector, and deformations detected by a proximity sensor, processed by a processor to determine interaction patterns and control device operations, without needing electrical properties or visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic device is miniaturized, then the device size is reduced, but the screen area is reduced making it uncomfortable for users to provide input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D touch screen interaction to 3D surface interaction by creating a textured surface with ridges and grooves that extend in the third dimension. This allows users to interact with the device through tactile sensations on the side surfaces, effectively utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal screen area, thus maintaining ease of operation in miniaturized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical touch screen sensing mechanism with a mechanical vibration detection system. Instead of using electrical properties to detect touch, the system uses vibration sensors to detect mechanical vibrations generated when users touch or swipe the textured surface, enabling input functionality without requiring large electrical display areas.
2Ease of operation
If motion based sensors are used to detect user input, then input detection is possible, but they are not applicable for general control use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional control system where the textured surface can detect various types of user interactions (touching, swiping, pressing) and map them to different control functions. The vibration detection mechanism is universally applicable to detect all these interactions, and the system can be configured to perform different control operations based on the detected vibration patterns, making it suitable for general control use.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional touch screens are used, then visual feedback is provided, but they require electrical properties and do not provide tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a vibration generator that produces mechanical vibrations and haptic feedback when users interact with the textured surface. This provides tactile feedback to users, allowing them to sense the surface texture and interaction through touch, compensating for the lack of visual feedback and enhancing the overall user experience.
4Reliability
If the touch surface has electrical properties, then touch detection is enabled, but the surface must have specific electrical characteristics limiting design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical touch detection with mechanical vibration detection. The vibration sensors can detect user interactions with any surface regardless of its electrical properties, allowing the touch surface to be made from any material and shaped in any form without electrical constraints, thus greatly enhancing design flexibility while maintaining reliable touch detection.
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
Provides a robust, tactile control interface capable of recognizing various user actions on non-electric surfaces, suitable for miniaturized devices, with vibration patterns allowing for precise control and operation without electrical properties, enhancing user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration detector configured to detect vibrations that are generated on interaction of the user with the at least one characteristic surface
Implementation Method 2
a proximity detector configured to detect deformations that are generated on the interaction of the user with the at least one characteristic surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus system for recognizing touch operation of a user on a user interface. The apparatus includes a housing including an at least one characteristic surface; a vibration detector to detect vibrations generated on interaction of the user with the characteristic surface; a proximity detector to detect deformations generated on the interaction of the user with the characteristic surface; a processor to process the vibrations obtained from the vibration detector to determine a vibration pattern specific to the interaction of the user on the characteristic surface and to process the detected deformation related information to determine a force applied by the user to the characteristic surface; a controller to identify and process an instruction to control an operation of a device in accordance with the vibration pattern and the detected deformation; and a communication interface to communicate the instruction to the device.