Touch Input Topology for Intuitive Electronic Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience in adjusting outputs of various electronic devices as they require different adjustment skills, such as channel changes on TVs, volume adjustments on smartphones, and wind strength on fans, which can be confusing and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize touch technology to detect touch inputs of figures and adjust electronic device outputs based on relative topology, allowing intuitive control through a touch input unit and output adjustment unit, generating adjustment information regardless of touch position and direction, and considering association and intrinsic attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If different adjustment skills are required for each electronic device, then device-specific control precision is improved, but user operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch input unit uses a universal figure-based interaction model that works across different electronic devices (TV, smartphone, refrigerator, fan). Instead of requiring device-specific control methods, the system recognizes geometric figures (circle, square, triangle, polygon) and their relative topologies to generate appropriate adjustment commands for any device type, making the interface multi-functional and device-agnostic

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of control methodology from device-specific procedures to figure-based geometric recognition. By detecting the type, number, and relative positions of touch figures, the system translates various touch patterns into standardized adjustment parameters (volume, channel, temperature, wind strength) that can be applied universally across different devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If device-specific adjustment methods are used, then control accuracy for each device is improved, but learning time and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidlearning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal figure-based control language that eliminates the need for users to learn device-specific adjustment methods. The same set of geometric figures (circle for volume, square for channel, triangle for temperature, polygon for wind strength) and their spatial relationships can control any electronic device, reducing learning time while maintaining control accuracy through consistent interaction patterns

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simplified geometric figure copies (circle, square, triangle, polygon) to represent complex control concepts. Instead of requiring users to learn intricate device-specific controls, the system copies simple geometric shapes that intuitively map to control functions, making the interaction immediately understandable without learning curves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11163438B2Method and apparatus for adjusting outputs of electronic device by using touch technology
Publication Date: 2021.11.02 KANG TAE HO
  • US11163438B2 patent drawing
  • US11163438B2 patent drawing
  • US11163438B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for adjusting outputs of an electronic device by using a touch technology. The apparatus for adjusting outputs of the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a touch input unit for sensing a touch input of a first figure and at least one second figure; and an output adjustment unit for generating at least one piece of adjustment information for adjusting at least one output of the electronic device according to a relative phase relationship (topology) of the first figure and the at least one second figure, and adjusting the at least one output of the electronic device. The output adjustment unit can generate the at least one piece of adjustment information when the relative phase relationship between the at least one first figure and the at least one second figure is the same even if the touch position and direction on the touch input unit are different.