Touch Panel Remote Input for Fewer Buttons and Easier Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote controls lack efficient mechanisms for user input that facilitate navigation and multi-functional use, particularly in interacting with displayed menu systems and performing directional control operations, often requiring numerous buttons and keys.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a resistive or capacitive touch sensor into the remote control to translate user gestures and pressure into navigation commands, alongside conventional keypress inputs, allowing for improved user interaction with devices such as televisions and set-top boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional button input mechanisms are used for navigation, then directional control can be achieved, but the user experience is suboptimal and more buttons are required
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive surface serves multiple functions: it detects finger position for navigation, recognizes gesture patterns for various commands, and replaces multiple dedicated buttons. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of input mechanisms needed on the remote control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical button presses with a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger contact through electrical or capacitive changes. This substitution eliminates the need for physical buttons while maintaining input functionality, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are provided for navigation functions, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive surface is divided into multiple detectable zones or positions that correspond to different navigation directions and functions. By segmenting the continuous surface into functional regions, the system achieves comprehensive navigation control without requiring separate physical buttons for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional button presses to two-dimensional finger position detection on a surface. This dimensional change allows the system to encode multiple navigation commands (up, down, left, right, select, etc.) through position coordinates rather than requiring separate buttons for each direction.
3Ease of operation
If a touch sensor is added to provide navigation functions, then user interaction is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive surface is integrated with the existing remote control structure, combining the new navigation input capability with the device's housing or existing button assembly. This merging approach incorporates the touch sensor without requiring a completely separate structural addition.
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
Enhances user experience by reducing the number of physical keys, enabling seamless navigation and keypad functionality through intuitive touch-based inputs, thereby improving interaction with complex menu systems and game activities.
Implementation Method 1
a resistive or capacitive touch sensor, etc., whereby motion and/or pressure by a user's finger may be translated into navigation commands
Implementation Method 2
a resistive or capacitive touch sensor, etc., whereby motion and/or pressure by a user's finger may be translated into navigation commands
Data Source
AI summary
A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.