Multi-digit Touch Gesture Control for Measurement Signal Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring and operating measurement devices, such as oscilloscopes, can be complex and time-consuming due to the need to navigate multiple menus to specify parameters for analyzing signal waveforms.

Innovation Solution

A measurement apparatus that uses multi-digit touch gestures on a touch-screen to simultaneously determine the range and operation for processing a measurement signal, eliminating the need for complex menu navigation by allowing users to enter instructions through gestures that encompass both range and operation in a single action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple menus are used for configuring measurement parameters, then the device provides comprehensive control options, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol optionsVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple menu navigation steps into a single multi-digit touch gesture. Users can select both the measurement parameter and its value simultaneously by touching multiple positions on the display, merging what would traditionally require separate menu selections into one unified action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to parameter selection by allowing users to touch multiple positions on the display at once. Instead of navigating through hierarchical menus sequentially, users can directly specify multiple parameters by touching different locations on the screen, transforming a temporal navigation process into a spatial selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple menus are navigated for specifying parameters, then precise control is achieved, but the configuration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter specification accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows users to pre-select multiple parameter values simultaneously through a single multi-digit touch gesture. The system processes all selected parameters in advance without requiring sequential menu navigation, thereby reducing configuration time while maintaining precise control over measurement parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional control panels are replaced by touch-screen soft controls, then the interface becomes dynamic and adaptable, but the learning curve and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface adaptabilityVSAvoiduser operation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the touch-screen interface to automatically interpret multi-digit touch gestures and translate them into appropriate measurement parameter selections. The system self-adapts to the user's input pattern, eliminating the need for manual menu navigation and reducing operational complexity while maintaining interface adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3683586B1Measurement apparatus and method for analyzing a measurement signal
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3683586B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3683586B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3683586B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an enhanced control of a measurement device displaying a signal waveform of a measurement signal. For this purpose, the waveform of the measurement signal is displayed on a touch-screen. The touch-screen receives multi-digit touch gestures comprising at least two touch gestures. The touch gestures of the multi-digit touch gesture are analyzed in order to determine simultaneously an operation and a range of the measurement signal on which the determined operation has to be applied. In this way, the control of the measurement device can be simplified.