Touch Panel Surface Texture Transition for Seamless Boundary Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch input devices have conspicuous boundaries between input and non-input areas due to differences in surface textures and shapes, which affect the seamless appearance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A touch input device with an operation panel featuring a first input area, a non-input area, and an intermediate area, where three-dimensional elements in each area are fine and raised or recessed, with shapes differing between the intermediate and other areas, providing a seamless appearance and intuitive boundary recognition through touch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If different surface textures are used to distinguish input and non-input areas, then boundary recognition is improved, but the seamless appearance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different three-dimensional element shapes in different regions: the first shape in the input area, second shape in the non-input area, and third shape in the intermediate area. This local differentiation enables tactile boundary recognition while the gradual transition of shapes maintains the overall seamless appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface is segmented into three distinct areas (input area, intermediate area, non-input area) with different three-dimensional element shapes. The intermediate area acts as a transition zone that segments the abrupt boundary into a gradual transition, improving appearance while maintaining detectability.
2Manufacturing precision
If abrupt boundary between input and non-input areas is created, then input area definition is improved, but the seamless appearance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate area with a third shape of three-dimensional elements serves as an intermediary zone between the input area (first shape) and non-input area (second shape). This intermediary region provides gradual transition that defines input area boundaries while maintaining seamless appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch input device includes: a first input area, a non-input area around the first input area, and an intermediate area between the first input area and the non-input area so as to surround the first input area, the first input area accepting an input operation, the non-input area accepting no input operation; and an input receiver that accepts at least an input to the first input area. The operation panel includes, three-dimensional elements on a surface the operation panel, the three-dimensional elements being are fine and raised or recessed, in each of the first input area, the non-input area, and the intermediate area. The three-dimensional elements in at least one of the intermediate area, the first input area, or the non-input area rein a shape different from a shape of the three-dimensional elements in other areas of the intermediate area, the first input area, and the non-input area.