Touchscreen Input Type Recognition via Thickness Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses with touchscreens face inefficiencies in distinguishing between different types of touch inputs, such as drawing and external device control inputs, requiring users to manually switch modes, which is inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus that recognizes touch inputs based on their thickness, automatically determining whether they are drawing inputs or external device control inputs, eliminating the need for manual mode switching by using threshold ranges to differentiate between input types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electronic apparatus uses a single touch input mode for both drawing and external device control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily distinguish between input types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input mode managementVSAvoidinput type distinction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of touch input characteristics by analyzing multiple parameters simultaneously (contact area, pressure, duration, movement pattern) to distinguish between drawing inputs and external device control inputs. This allows the system to automatically differentiate input types without requiring users to manually switch modes, resolving the contradiction between simplified device operation and accurate input recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the electronic apparatus manually switches between drawing mode and external device control mode, then the measurement precision of input type recognition is improved, but the loss of time increases due to manual mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput type recognition accuracyVSAvoidmode switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing touch input characteristics and determining the input type without user intervention. The processor autonomously evaluates multiple parameters (contact area, pressure, duration, movement) and switches modes based on the analysis, eliminating manual mode switching and the associated time loss while maintaining accurate input type recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring touch input parameters and adjusting the operating mode based on real-time analysis. The processor uses the feedback from parameter analysis to automatically determine whether the user intends to draw or control an external device, enabling rapid and accurate mode switching without manual user actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the electronic apparatus analyzes multiple touch input parameters, then the reliability of input type differentiation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput type differentiation accuracyVSAvoidparameter analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple touch input parameters simultaneously. It can analyze contact area, pressure, duration, and movement patterns using the same hardware components, avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each parameter. This universal approach improves input type differentiation reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3685254B1Electronic apparatus and operating method of the same
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3685254B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3685254B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3685254B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Provided are an electronic apparatus and method of operating the electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a display; a touch input interface; a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions to: control the display to output a screen of an external device to at least a portion of the display by mirroring the external device, recognize the touch input as a drawing input or an external device control input for controlling the external device based on a thickness of the touch input and control the display to output drawing data or control the external device.