Touch Interface Finger Shape Detection for Multi-Input Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch-based user interfaces in electronic devices are limited in allowing various user inputs, as they can only execute instructions corresponding to a single touched icon, restricting the range of user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a user interface system that utilizes a combination of optical and touch sensors to detect finger touches and adjacent areas, generating sensor signals to identify touch locations and types, allowing for the execution of multiple functions based on finger position, orientation, and movement, enabling more complex user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional touch-based user interfaces are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user input capabilities are limited to single icon execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch input detection into multiple independent sensor components (optical sensor for finger type, touch sensor for touch location) that work together to provide comprehensive input capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to detect multiple parameters simultaneously without requiring a single complex sensor, thereby increasing adaptability while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional user interface system where the combination of optical and touch sensors enables a single interface to perform multiple functions: detecting finger type, determining touch location, recognizing gesture patterns, and executing different instructions. This universal approach allows one interface system to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate input mechanisms, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are combined to detect finger touches and adjacent areas, then various user inputs can be detected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical sensing and touch sensing into a unified user interface processing system. By combining these sensor types, the system achieves comprehensive input detection capability that recognizes both finger type and touch location simultaneously. The merging of sensor data processing allows for sophisticated gesture recognition while managing system complexity through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives data from multiple sensors and translates it into meaningful input commands. This intermediary system coordinates the information from optical and touch sensors, performing pattern recognition and decision-making to determine which instruction to execute. This mediator approach allows complex multi-sensor integration without requiring direct complex interactions between all sensor components.
3Productivity
If finger type information is used to determine instructions, then user input efficiency increases, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of finger type information before executing the final instruction. By pre-processing the optical sensor data to identify finger type characteristics, the system can quickly determine the appropriate instruction category. This preliminary action reduces the processing complexity during actual input execution, as the decision framework is already established based on the detected finger type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being processed from simple touch presence to detailed finger type characteristics. By detecting and utilizing parameters such as finger width, touch area ratio, and optical reflection patterns, the system can differentiate between various input intentions. This parameter transformation allows for more nuanced input recognition while maintaining efficient processing through predefined parameter-based decision rules.
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
Enables user-friendly and efficient multiple input capabilities on small-sized display devices, allowing for single-touch execution of various instructions, including rotation, movement, and enlargement of GUI elements, enhancing user interaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor, in particular, an optical sensor, detects a user's finger touch on the display device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A device (10) and method for providing a user interface using information is provided. The device includes a display unit (11), a sensor (12) and a controller (13). The display unit displays at least one graphic user interface (GUI). The sensor generate a sensor signal according to a user's finger (20) touch input. The controller receives (202) the sensor signal from the sensor, identifies (203) a touch area (31) and an adjacent area (32) based on the received sensor signal, generates (204) touch finger shape-based information according to the identified touch area and the identified adjacent area, and controls the display unit to display (205) the GUI according to the generated finger shape-based information.