Touch Panel Input Apparatus with Variable Pressure Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small mobile terminals, such as mobile phones, face challenges in accurately determining the boundary between input objects on a touch panel due to the flat surface, leading to a high risk of unintended inputs and incorrect operations, especially when multiple objects are displayed adjacent to each other.
Innovation Solution
The input apparatus employs a load detection unit to set different pressure load standards for each input object, and a vibration unit to provide tactile feedback, ensuring accurate input recognition by distinguishing between intended and unintended presses through distinct vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a flat touch panel surface is used to enable downsizing and flexibility, then device size is reduced and adaptability is improved, but measurement precision of input position deteriorates leading to high risk of unintended inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform tactile feedback across the touch panel surface. Different regions (input objects vs. non-input areas) have distinct vibration characteristics when pressed, allowing users to locally distinguish between clickable elements and non-clickable areas despite the overall flat surface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration by generating tactile feedback through vibration when specific regions of the touch panel are pressed. The vibration unit produces distinct vibration patterns for input objects compared to non-input areas, providing sensory differentiation that enhances input position precision without requiring physical raised features.
2Productivity
If multiple input objects are displayed adjacent to each other to maximize screen utilization, then productivity is improved, but reliability of input operation deteriorates due to difficulty in distinguishing boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration to provide tactile differentiation between adjacent input objects. When a user presses near the boundary of input objects, the system generates distinct vibration feedback based on which input object is being pressed, allowing users to reliably distinguish between closely spaced objects through tactile sensation rather than visual alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time tactile vibration responses when users press different regions of the touch panel. The vibration unit delivers immediate sensory feedback that confirms which input object is being activated, enabling users to adjust their pressing position and ensuring reliable input operation even when objects are closely arranged.
3Device complexity
If the touch panel surface is kept flat to eliminate mechanical buttons, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of tactile distinction between input objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration to compensate for the lack of physical tactile distinction on the flat touch panel surface. By generating vibration feedback when input objects are pressed, the system creates artificial tactile cues that help users easily distinguish between different input objects without requiring raised buttons or complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with a flat touch panel that uses vibration-based tactile feedback. Instead of relying on physical raised features to provide tactile distinction, the system substitutes mechanical vibration generated by the vibration unit to achieve the same ease of operation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining usability.
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 solution significantly reduces the risk of unintended inputs by providing clear tactile feedback, allowing users to accurately target specific input objects even when they are closely arranged, enhancing the usability of small touch panels.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration unit (50) for vibrating the input unit (34), wherein the control unit (20) controls to drive the vibration unit (50) if the pressure load detected by the load detection unit (40) satisfies the load standard
Data Source
AI summary
An input apparatus has a display unit for displaying an input object, an input unit for receiving a pressure input to the input object, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit, and a control unit for controlling to receive the pressure input if the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a load standard. The control unit controls such that a load standard for receiving the pressure input to the input object is different from a load standard for receiving a pressure input to another input object adjacent to the input object.