Touch Panel Force Direction Detection for Valid Input Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panel systems struggle to accurately determine valid user operations based on the direction of force applied, leading to potential misinterpretation of user inputs, especially in multi-user scenarios or when users operate the panel at angles other than perpendicular.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a receiving unit that only recognizes user operations when the direction of force applied to the touch panel matches a predetermined specific direction, allowing for precise control of operations by detecting the angle and force vector of the fingertip or pen, and enabling different functions based on the direction of force applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the touch panel accepts all directions of force, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of valid operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of force direction detection by introducing a specific detection angle threshold (e.g., within 30 degrees of perpendicular). This parameter change allows the system to distinguish valid operations from invalid ones based on the angular parameter of applied force, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the touch panel restricts operations to specific force directions, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial restriction by allowing operations within a specific angular range (e.g., ±30 degrees from perpendicular) while restricting operations outside this range. This partial action approach maintains ease of operation for normal use cases while achieving sufficient measurement precision to filter out invalid operations, avoiding excessive restriction that would unnecessarily complicate user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system detects force direction to filter invalid operations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical multi-axis force sensing mechanisms with a simplified single-axis pressure sensor combined with angular calculation algorithms. By substituting mechanical complexity with computational logic, the system achieves reliable force direction detection (distinguishing valid perpendicular operations from invalid angled operations) while minimizing device complexity and maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10802591B2Information processing device and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes a receiving unit that receives an operation of a user only when a direction of force applied to a display is a predetermined specific direction.