Touch Control Keyboard Using Force Sensors for Gesture Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch control technologies for computing devices rely on image recognition, which can lead to misjudgments due to unclear images and fails in low light conditions, and lacks direct connection with physical keyboard keys.

Innovation Solution

A touch control keyboard method that uses a physical keyboard with touch-sensitive keycaps, generating key signals based on touch events, and a computer program to recognize and execute touch control instructions by comparing detection values with predefined conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image recognition technology is used for touch control, then gesture recognition capability is provided, but misjudgments occur due to unclear images and the system fails in low light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture recognition capabilityVSAvoidjudgment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical image recognition system with a tactile mechanical sensing system. The keyboard incorporates touch-sensitive keycaps with force sensors that detect physical pressure and touch gestures through mechanical means rather than optical imaging, eliminating the reliability issues associated with image clarity and lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces force sensors as intermediary devices between the user's touch and the computing device. These sensors act as mediators that convert physical touch gestures into digital signals, providing a reliable connection between tactile input and system response without the intermediate step of optical image capture and recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If camera-based gesture recognition is used, then operation gestures can be captured above the keyboard, but the gestures have no connection with physical keyboard keys

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture operation rangeVSAvoidconnection with physical keys

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gesture recognition functionality with the physical keyboard structure by integrating touch-sensitive keycaps into the existing keyboard layout. This combination allows users to perform gestures directly on familiar physical keys, maintaining the spatial and functional connection between hand position and key location while enabling advanced touch control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If touch sensing technology is used instead of image recognition, then misjudgments are reduced and reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the keyboard keys multi-functional by enabling them to detect both traditional keystrokes and touch gestures. The same physical key structure serves dual purposes: standard typing input and advanced touch control operations. This universality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate gesture recognition hardware while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces misjudgments and ensures reliable operation in various lighting conditions by using touch sensing technology, allowing direct manipulation of computing device applications through physical keyboard interactions.

Implementation Method 1

a physical keyboard comprising a plurality of keycaps capable of responding to a touch on a keycap to output a first key signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric Effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10365803B2Method for generating touch control instruction of keyboard, and computer program product and non-transitory computer readable medium of touch control instruction

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 MITAKE INFORMATION

AI summary

A method for generating a touch control instruction, includes: loading an instruction condition definition table, where the instruction condition definition table includes a plurality of touch control instructions, and each touch control instruction includes a plurality of instruction conditions and definition values corresponding to the instruction conditions; reading a first key signal output by a physical keyboard corresponding to a touch on a keycap; recognizing a touch control event according to multiple consecutive first key signals; obtaining a plurality of detection values of the touch control event and comparing the detection values with the definition values; if the detection values match definition values of all instruction conditions of a touch control instruction, stopping tracing of the touch control event; and executing the matched touch control instruction.