Terminal Touch Input Control Using EMR Pen Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch input systems in terminals often experience unintended interference between pen and finger touches, leading to erroneous inputs, especially when a pen is used for precise inputs like cursive writing or drawing, as the system struggles to distinguish between intended and unintended touch inputs, particularly in areas where the palm frequently contacts.

Innovation Solution

The system sets an effective touch area based on the pen input position, using an Electro Magnetic Resonance (EMR) panel to determine the pen touch and a touch panel to sense user inputs, thereby processing only inputs within this designated area as valid and ignoring those outside it, with the option to consider the user's handedness when setting this area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both touch panel and EMR panel are provided for simultaneous processing of finger and pen inputs, then input versatility is improved, but unintended interference between pen and hand touches occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput versatilityVSAvoidunintended interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a restricted input area around the pen touch position where only pen input is accepted. This localized zone distinguishes between valid pen inputs and invalid hand inputs, allowing the system to process both finger and pen inputs simultaneously while preventing unintended interference in specific regions of the touch panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the entire touch panel area is used for finger input, then ease of operation is improved, but precision input capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger input capabilityVSAvoidpen input precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the touch panel into multiple functional zones: a restricted input area around the pen touch position where only pen input is accepted, and other areas where finger input remains valid. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full touch panel usability for finger operations while creating precision-focused zones for pen input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a restricted area is set around pen touch position to prevent hand interference, then input accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput accuracyVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining fixed restricted area patterns (circular, square, rectangular) with predetermined sizes. When pen input is detected, the system selects from these pre-established patterns based on the input type, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing control logic complexity while maintaining input accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach effectively reduces unintended touch inputs, preventing erroneous operations and allowing for more precise placement of icons, even in areas where the palm typically contacts, thereby enhancing the usability of touch panels.

Implementation Method 1

Electro Magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology of the Wacom company senses a pen input through a resonance between a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) and an EMR exclusive pen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2674849B1Method and apparatus for controlling touch input of terminal
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2674849B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2674849B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2674849B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of controlling a touch input of a terminal is provided. The method includes determining, when a touch input is sensed, a touch position, and setting a partial area of a touch panel including the determined touch position as an effective touch area of the touch panel. The method may further include determining, when the touch input is sensed, whether the touch input is a pen touch input, and sensing the touch input through a touch panel for sensing a user touch and an Electro Magnetic Resonance (EMR) panel for sensing the pen touch input, wherein the touch position is determined when the touch input is a pen touch sensed through the EMR panel.