Touch Panel Gap Detector for Multi-Display Operability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing terminals with multiple touch panel displays face difficulties in accurately recognizing user intentions, particularly at the gap between displays, leading to interrupted software events and misinterpretation of single or multi-touch actions.
Innovation Solution
An information processing terminal is designed with a combination of display and detector units on each touch panel surface and a separate detector in the gap between them, which outputs specific information items to a processing unit to determine and process touch actions accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a gap is provided between touch panel displays at the hinge joint, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the system cannot accurately recognize whether a user has simultaneously touched both displays or made a single intermediate touch action
Solution Approach 1:
A separate detector is introduced as an intermediary component positioned in the gap between the two touch panel displays. This detector specifically monitors touch actions in the intermediate region, providing additional detection data that helps the processing unit distinguish between simultaneous touches on both displays versus a single intermediate touch action, thereby resolving the recognition ambiguity without complicating the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is segmented into three independent detection zones: the first touch panel display, the gap region with the separate detector, and the second touch panel display. Each zone has its own detection capabilities, allowing the system to analyze touch patterns across different regions independently and accurately determine user intent based on the combination of detection results from all segments
2Adaptability or versatility
If high-sensitivity electrostatic capacitance touch panels are used to detect proximity, then the system can distinguish between finger contact and proximity, but the detection area becomes wide causing difficulty in accurately identifying single versus multi-touch actions near the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The detection space is divided into distinct segments: proximity detection zones on each touch panel display and a contact detection zone in the gap. By segmenting the detection regions and assigning different detection functions to each, the system can accurately determine whether a detected signal represents proximity (on individual displays) or contact (in the gap), preventing misidentification of touch actions even with wide detection areas
Solution Approach 2:
Different detection modes are applied to different spatial locations: high-sensitivity proximity detection is used on the touch panel displays to enable glove operation, while contact detection is used in the gap region to accurately identify intermediate touch actions. This local differentiation of detection qualities allows the system to maintain high adaptability for glove operation while ensuring precise touch action identification
3Area of stationary object
If two touch panel displays are used to create a virtual large screen, then the screen area is increased, but software events are interrupted at the gap making it difficult to judge whether the user is making a single sliding action or two separate touch actions
Solution Approach 1:
The separate detector in the gap acts as an intermediary that bridges the two touch panel displays. It continuously monitors the gap region and provides detection information that enables the processing unit to determine whether a sliding action has crossed the gap boundary, ensuring software events remain continuous and properly recognized even when the physical gap interrupts the visual continuity of the large screen
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the separate detector's output to inform and adjust the processing of touch events across the two displays. When the separate detector identifies a touch or proximity action in the gap region, this feedback information is used by the processing unit to maintain software event continuity, properly link sliding actions across displays, and prevent event interruption, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the virtual large screen
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances operability by accurately distinguishing between single and multi-touch actions, and contact versus proximity, allowing for improved user intention recognition and seamless operation across multiple touch panel displays.
Implementation Method 1
a detector which detects contact and outputs third detected information upon detection of a contacting object making contact, the detector being disposed in a gap between a first display detection surface of a first combination display and detector and a second display detection surface of a second combination display and detector
Implementation Method 2
a high sensitivity mode electrostatic capacitance touch panel is capable of detecting an action made by a finger when the finger moves close to the touch panel without directing touching the surface of the touch panel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an information processing terminal that has improved operability in the vicinity of the gap between a plurality of touch panel displays. The information processing terminal has a first combination display and detector, a second combination display and detector, a detector, and a processing unit. The first combination display and detector displays an image and detects contact, and outputs first detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The second combination display and detector displays an image and detects contact, and outputs second detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The detector detects contact and outputs third detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The detector is disposed in a gap between the first combination display and detector and the second combination display and detector. The processing unit carries out a processing sequence based on one or a plurality or all of the first detected item of information, the second detected item of information, and the third detected information.