Touch Screen Directional Key Code Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with touch screens lacking directional keys face difficulties in implementing game applications that require such keys, as modifications are time-consuming and result in inconvenient manipulations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generate key codes based on touch screen manipulations, where the key codes indicate upward, downward, leftward, or rightward directions without corresponding visual items, allowing control of portable electronic devices like mobile phones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a touch screen device lacks directional keys, then the device structure is simplified and touch screen area is increased, but game applications requiring directional keys cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch screen areaVSAvoidgame application compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (virtual directional indicators) between the touch screen and the game application. When a user touches a specific region on the touch screen, the system generates a virtual directional indicator that mediates the interaction, allowing game applications to receive directional input even though no physical directional keys exist on the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If game applications are modified to work without directional keys, then compatibility is achieved, but development time increases and manipulation becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame application compatibilityVSAvoidapplication modification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal touch screen interface that can serve multiple functions including directional control for games, navigation for menus, and selection for various applications. By making the touch screen region-based input system multi-functional, it eliminates the need to modify individual game applications, as the system naturally provides directional capabilities through region-based touch detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If directional keys are added to touch screen devices, then game application compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases and touch screen area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame application compatibilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of directional keys with the touch screen by dividing the touch screen into multiple functional regions. Each region corresponds to a directional input (up, down, left, right), allowing the touch screen to simultaneously serve as both display and directional control interface, eliminating the need for separate physical directional keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7652662B2Portable electronic device and a method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2010.01.26 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A portable communication device. The portable communication device comprises a touch screen, a key code generator, and a controller. The touch screen generates event information in response to a manipulation on the screen, wherein the event information specifies position information corresponding to the manipulation. The key code generator generates a key code corresponding to the event information according to the position information thereof, wherein the key code indicates an upward, downward, leftward, or rightward key code, and the key code does not correspond to any visual item displayed on the touch screen.