Touch Panel Input Invalidation for Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses face challenges in preventing unintended operations due to user hand contact during short-range wireless communication, as existing sensor configurations are ineffective in detecting hand approaches when the user waves a terminal over the touch area without gripping the operation panel.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a touch sensor with a matrix arrangement of electrodes and a scanning circuit to detect capacitance changes, invalidating input to specific regions near the touch area when an object is sensed, thereby preventing unintended inputs by setting an input invalidation region and using proximity sensing units to detect the presence of objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are placed on the operation panel to detect hand approach, then unintended operations can be prevented, but the sensors cannot detect the user's hand when the user waves a terminal over the touch area without gripping the operation panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with a touch sensor that detects capacitance changes. This allows detection of the user's hand approach through capacitive coupling when the hand is near the touch panel, without requiring physical contact or gripping of the operation panel. The touch sensor detects changes in electrical capacitance caused by the proximity of the human body, enabling non-contact detection of hand approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism - the touch sensor - that detects the electrical field changes caused by the user's hand approach. Instead of directly detecting mechanical contact or proximity through physical sensors, the system uses the touch sensor to detect capacitance changes as an intermediary indicator of hand presence, which then triggers the input invalidation mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the touch area is placed near the operation panel for short-range wireless communication, then communication convenience is improved, but the user's hand may unintentionally touch the operation panel during waving motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of hand approach using the touch sensor before the user's hand can accidentally touch the operation panel. When the touch sensor detects capacitance changes indicating hand proximity, the system proactively invalidates the input function of the operation panel before unintended contact can occur, preventing harmful unintended operations while maintaining the convenient touch area placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by disabling the input reception function of the operation panel in advance when hand approach is detected. Instead of waiting for unintended contact to occur and then correcting it, the system preemptively invalidates the input function, creating a protective counter-action that prevents the harmful effect of unintended operations while preserving the convenient layout.
3Reliability
If input invalidation region is set based on touch sensor detection, then unintended inputs are prevented, but normal operation input functionality may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic input invalidation mechanism where the operation panel's input function is conditionally enabled or disabled based on real-time detection. When the touch sensor detects hand approach, the input invalidation region is activated; when hand approach is not detected, normal input functionality is restored. This dynamic switching ensures that input restriction is applied only when necessary, preventing unintended inputs without permanently restricting normal operation functionality.
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 effectively prevents unintended operations by invalidating inputs in the detected regions, ensuring that the image processing apparatus only responds to intended user interactions during short-range wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
a touch sensor 350... to detect capacitance changes
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus (100) includes a touch panel (320, 350) capable of displaying a plurality of software keys, an input control means (401) that receives input of information to the touch panel by a user's touch operation on the software keys, a short-range wireless sensing unit (360), and an object sensing means (380, 361, 361A-361C). The short-range wireless sensing unit (360) is arranged near the touch panel (320, 350) to sense radio waves for short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal. The input control means (401) is configured to change an arrangement of the software keys on a display of the software keys on the touch panel (320, 350) such that the software keys are not arranged in a region near the short-range wireless sensing unit (360) when the presence of an object near the short-range wireless sensing unit (360) is sensed by the object sensing means (380, 361, 361A-361C).