Touch Panel Proximity Pointer and Finger Distance Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch panel systems face challenges in providing an intuitive method for determining object selection without complicating the device structure or causing operational issues, such as finger dirt accumulation and difficulty in targeting objects due to finger proximity detection methods.

Innovation Solution

A touch panel system that detects proximity coordinates and calculates pointer coordinates based on multiple fingers' positions, allowing for intuitive object selection by reducing finger distance to execute processing events without physical contact with the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a special button is provided for determination instruction, then determination function is achieved, but device structure becomes complicated and one-hand operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination functionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel surface serves multiple functions: it displays information, detects finger proximity for pointer control, and enables determination through finger contact. This eliminates the need for a separate determination button, maintaining a simple device structure while achieving reliable determination functionality through the existing touch panel infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The determination function is extracted from a separate physical button and integrated into the touch panel surface. By detecting finger contact directly on the display area, the system removes the need for additional dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure while preserving the determination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the screen is touched with a finger for determination, then determination instruction is detected, but fingerprint dirt accumulates on the screen and object visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination detectionVSAvoidscreen dirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary detection method where finger proximity to the screen is detected through capacitive sensing before actual contact occurs. This allows the determination function to be triggered by the presence and movement of the finger in the proximity zone, eliminating the need for direct screen contact and thus preventing fingerprint accumulation while maintaining reliable determination detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If proximity detection is used for determination, then non-contact operation is achieved, but additional detection complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact operationVSAvoiddetection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch panel's existing capacitive sensing infrastructure is used for multiple purposes: detecting finger proximity for pointer control and detecting finger contact for determination. This multi-functional use of the same detection mechanism enables non-contact operation capabilities without introducing additional detection hardware or complex detection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

Enables simple and intuitive object selection on a touch panel by allowing users to select objects without physically touching the screen, reducing finger movement complexity and preventing screen dirt accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

A capacitor is formed on each of intersectional points between the transmitting electrodes and the receiving electrodes, and the electrostatic capacity of the capacitor is varied in accordance with the degree of proximity of a fingertip.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacity variation: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9329714B2Input device, input assistance method, and program

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

The present invention includes a display section displaying data in a screen, a touch panel detecting proximity of a finger, a proximity coordinate extracting section extracting proximity coordinates of the finger in the proximity, a pointer coordinate calculating section calculating, when proximity of a plurality of fingers is simultaneously detected, a position Pc2 in the screen corresponding to a middle point Pc of positions of the plurality of fingers as pointer coordinates, a display controlling section causing visual information PT to be displayed in the position corresponding to the pointer coordinates in the screen, and an event detecting section detecting an event for executing prescribed processing when a distance between the plurality of fingers has become equal to or smaller than a prescribed distance.