Touch Pad Simulation Device for Multi-Touch Event Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch pad technologies in electronic apparatuses, such as laptops, are inadequate for providing optimal user experience with multi-touch applications, as they cannot simulate the smooth linear variations of touch panel operations, limiting the functionality of touch interface applications.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a touch pad and a simulation device that distinguishes between single-touch and multi-touch events, simulating these events to generate corresponding signals for the operation system, allowing for responsive touch and mouse simulation operations, thereby enhancing user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch pad is used to simulate mouse behaviors, then basic cursor control functions are provided, but multi-touch applications cannot provide optimal user experience and smooth linear variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-touch application supportVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch pad is configured to support both traditional mouse simulation mode and multi-touch event mode, allowing it to perform multiple functions. The simulation device determines the touch event type and switches between simulation modes accordingly, enabling the same hardware to serve both legacy applications and modern multi-touch applications optimally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different operation modes based on the detected touch event type. When a multi-touch event is detected, the system transitions from mouse simulation mode to multi-touch event mode, allowing the touch pad to adapt its behavior in real-time to provide optimal user experience for different application scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touch pad simulates mouse wheel operations, then hierarchical scrolling is achieved, but smooth linear scrolling variations like touch panel sliding cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrolling operation typesVSAvoidscrolling smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation device changes the operational parameters of the touch pad based on the detected touch event. For multi-touch events, it enables continuous linear scrolling parameters similar to touch panels, while for single-touch events, it maintains discrete hierarchical scrolling parameters like traditional mouse wheels, thus providing appropriate scrolling behavior for different operation types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9052773B2Electronic apparatus and control method using the same

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 ACER INC

AI summary

Control methods of an electronic apparatus having a touch pad are provided. Touch event with the touch pad is first detected. It is then determined whether the touch event is a single-touch event or a multi-touch event. In response to the touch event being the multi-touch event, the touch event is simulated to a first event initialized by a touch panel by a simulation device to generate a multi-touch signal to an operation system such that the operation system performs a corresponding touch simulation.