Touch Panel Vibration Control for Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch-panel input devices that combine force-feedback (FFB) and speaker or microphone functions face complications in distinguishing vibrations for input operations from those used for voice output or input, leading to erroneous transmission of vibrations as voice input or complex operation mode switching.

Innovation Solution

A touch-panel input device with a vibration-controlling unit, operation detector, and operation-mode controlling unit that automatically changes the operation mode from speaker or microphone mode to input operation mode upon detecting user interaction, adjusting vibration magnitude or frequency to distinguish FFB from sound production, allowing seamless force feedback without hardware key operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the touch panel is used as both FFB touch panel and panel-type speaker, then the device can provide force feedback and voice output functions, but vibrations of the speaker cannot be distinguished from those of force feedback when both functions are activated simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionality of touch panelVSAvoidvibration signal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation mode switching that automatically transitions between speaker mode and input operation mode based on detected user interactions. When a touch operation is detected, the system dynamically switches from speaker mode to input operation mode, ensuring that vibrations are accurately interpreted as force feedback rather than speaker output. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system's behavior context-dependent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the touch panel is used as both FFB touch panel and panel-type microphone, then the device can provide force feedback and voice input functions, but vibrations generated during switch operation may be erroneously transmitted as voice input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionality of touch panelVSAvoidvoice input accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation mode switching that automatically transitions between microphone mode and input operation mode based on detected user interactions. When a touch operation is detected during microphone mode, the system dynamically switches to input operation mode, preventing erroneous transmission of operational vibrations as voice input. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system's behavior context-dependent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If hardware key operation is required to switch between operation modes, then mode switching can be controlled, but the operation becomes complicated and user-friendly operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching controlVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic operation mode switching that detects user interactions directly on the touch panel and autonomously transitions between operation modes without requiring external hardware key operations. The system self-determines when to switch from speaker mode or microphone mode to input operation mode based on detected touch events, eliminating the need for users to manually press hardware keys. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system both controllable and user-friendly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 smooth provision of force feedback and prevents erroneous voice input transmission without complex operation mode switching, even when the touch panel is used as a speaker or microphone, by automatically adjusting vibrations based on user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration-controlling unit for vibrating the touch panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a speaker mode for vibrating the touch panel by the vibration-controlling unit to produce sounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration to acoustic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 3

a microphone mode for allowing voice input by transmitting vibrations generated on the touch panel when a user speaks to the liquid crystal screen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS7728822B2Touch-panel input device having a function for providing vibration and method for providing vibration in response to input operation

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A touch-panel input device having a function for providing vibrations includes a touch panel receiving an operation on an operation item on a display panel, a vibration-controlling unit vibrating the touch panel, an operation detector detecting an operation on the touch panel, and an operation-mode controlling unit setting an operation mode of the touch panel to an input operation mode for vibrating the touch panel upon detecting a touch on the touch panel, or either a speaker mode for vibrating the touch panel to produce sounds or a microphone mode for allowing voice input by transmitting vibrations generated on the touch panel when the operator speaks to the touch panel. The operation-mode controlling unit changes the operation mode to the input operation mode when the operation mode is set to the speaker mode or the microphone mode upon detecting an operation on the touch panel.