Touch Input Intensity Processing via Discrete Stage Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Processing intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surfaces in electronic devices is cumbersome and inefficient, leading to increased computational load, software size, and power consumption, which burdens battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that detect and process touch inputs based on intensity stages, using preselected thresholds and intensity models to determine touch characterization parameters, thereby reducing the complexity and power requirements for processing touch inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to process touch input intensity, then touch input functionality is achieved, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input processing efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of touch inputs into discrete intensity stages (e.g., light, medium, heavy) before detailed processing. This pre-categorization reduces the computational complexity of subsequent touch handling operations by providing a simplified intensity metric that requires less processing power while still enabling differentiated touch responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the continuous intensity parameter of touch inputs into discrete intensity stages. By changing the parameter representation from continuous to discrete values, the system reduces computational load while maintaining the ability to distinguish between different touch intensities, thus improving processing efficiency without significant loss of functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional methods are used to process touch input intensity, then touch input functionality is achieved, but software size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input processing efficiencyVSAvoidsoftware size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The complex intensity processing logic is extracted from the main software application and implemented as a separate, specialized module or hardware component. This extraction allows the main application to remain compact while the intensity processing functionality is handled by dedicated code or hardware that can be optimized independently, reducing the overall software size required for full touch functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional methods are used to process touch input intensity, then touch input functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input processing efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By performing preliminary classification of touch intensity into discrete stages early in the processing pipeline, the system reduces the computational work required for subsequent touch operations. This preliminary sorting minimizes the number of complex calculations needed, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining touch input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Transforming continuous intensity data into discrete stages reduces the precision requirements for subsequent processing operations. This parameter transformation allows the system to use simpler, lower-power computational methods while still preserving the essential information needed for differentiated touch responses, thus reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If complex instructions are used to process touch input intensity, then precise intensity detection is achieved, but processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintensity detection precisionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter representation from continuous intensity values to discrete intensity stages. This transformation maintains sufficient precision for practical touch differentiation while enabling faster processing through simpler comparison operations. The discrete stages allow for rapid classification without requiring complex continuous value analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3268855B1Device, method, and user interface for processing intensity of touch contacts

Publication Date: 2023.11.15 APPLE INC

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AI summary

An electronic device detects a first touch input on a first touch region of a touch-sensitive surface, and identifies a first intensity model identifier associated with the first touch region. In response to detecting the first touch input, the device determines a first intensity of the first touch input on the first touch region; determines a first touch characterization parameter; and, subsequently sends to a first software application the first touch characterization parameter. The device also detects a second touch input on a second touch region of the touch- sensitive surface, and identifies a second intensity model identifier associated with the second touch region. In response to detecting the second touch input, the device determines a second intensity of the second touch input on the second touch region; determines a second touch characterization parameter; and, subsequently sends to the first software application the second touch characterization parameter.