Touch Display Input Mode Transition via Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of touch display devices, such as dual display laptops and tablets, face difficulties in easily switching between different input modes and using appropriate pointing devices for specific tasks, leading to suboptimal user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to switch between input modes by determining the physical contact of a pointing device with the touch display or a distinct surface, using signals from both the touch display and the pointing device to toggle between overlap, spaced-apart, and off-display modes, enabling seamless transitions and appropriate input mode selection based on user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input modes are provided for touch display devices, then the versatility and adaptability of the device is improved, but the complexity of switching between modes and selecting appropriate pointing devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the pointing device type (stylus, finger, mouse) and the contact surface (touch display or external surface) to determine the appropriate input mode without requiring manual user configuration. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by providing versatile input modes while eliminating the complexity of manual mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (input mode) based on detected conditions (pointing device type and contact surface). By automatically adjusting parameters according to the detected state, the system provides adaptability without requiring complex user intervention for mode switching.
2Ease of operation
If automatic mode detection is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The touch display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display surface and the detection surface for determining input modes. The same touch sensors that detect user input on the display are also used to detect whether a stylus or finger is contacting the display, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the touch display sensors and pointing device signals to automatically determine the appropriate input mode. This feedback mechanism enables automatic mode detection without requiring complex additional sensors, as the existing sensor data is repurposed for mode determination.
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
Enhances user interaction by allowing smooth switching between input modes, improving usability and productivity by ensuring the right input mode is used for the specific pointing device and task, thereby simplifying the interaction with touch display devices.
Implementation Method 1
The TD is a capacitive TD and is configured to generate a TD contact signal when the PD is in contact with the input surface of the TD
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is a force sensor configured to generate the PD contact signal when the PD applies a force to the input surface of the TD or to the surface distinct from the input surface of the TD
Data Source
AI summary
A touch display device (TDD) configured to function with a pointing device (PD), and a method of operating the TDD. The TDD has a processor that automatically determines if the PD is in contact with a touch display (TD) of the TDD or with a surface distinct from the TD. When the PD is in contact with the TD, a toggling signal from the PD may be received at the processor to toggle from a first input mode where a tip of the PD overlaps a visual element displayed on the TD, to a second input mode with the tip of the PD is spaced apart from the displayed visual element. When the PD is in contact with the distinct surface, the processor automatically selects a third input mode where a position of the PD on the distinct surface is reproduced as a position the sign on the TD.