Touch Screen Key Recognition via Color Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of touch screen terminals often struggle to accurately determine which character is being input due to the overlap of character and key display areas, leading to frequent incorrect button presses, especially on small terminals where keys are small.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a touch screen with a controller to detect touch events and display a key recognition item, such as color variations or numerals, in the key area where a touch event occurs, allowing users to intuitively confirm key selections and distinguish selected keys from non-selected ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keys are displayed on a touch screen of a small terminal, then input convenience is improved and space for separate input units is saved, but key size becomes small causing users to frequently press wrong buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by displaying a key recognition item (such as a numeral or symbol) in a specific color within the key area that matches or corresponds to the color of the character displayed in the character display area. This visual color correspondence allows users to quickly identify which key corresponds to which character without needing to read small text labels on each key, thereby improving pressing accuracy while maintaining small key sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a key recognition item as an intermediary visual element between the key area and the character display area. This intermediary element (such as a numeral or symbol displayed in the key area) serves as a visual mediator that links the key position to its corresponding character, enabling users to accurately identify key-character relationships without increasing key size or adding physical labels
2Adaptability or versatility
If character display area and key display area are separated, then character input function is provided, but it becomes difficult for users to determine whether a displayed character coincides with a selected key
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes to maintain key-character correspondence information across separated display areas. By displaying a key recognition item in the key area that color-matches the character in the character display area, the system preserves the visual link between key and character despite their spatial separation, preventing loss of correspondence information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements visual feedback by immediately displaying a key recognition item in the key area when a touch event is detected. This feedback mechanism provides real-time confirmation of which key was pressed and what character it corresponds to, allowing users to verify the key-character relationship even though the character and key are displayed in separate areas
3Area of stationary object
If keys are made small to fit more on the screen, then screen space utilization is improved, but user accuracy in pressing the correct key deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for reduced key size by introducing color-coded key recognition items within the key areas. These visual indicators (such as numerals or symbols displayed in distinctive colors) provide high-contrast visual cues that enable users to accurately identify small keys from a distance, maintaining selection accuracy despite the reduced physical size of keys and maximizing screen space utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal having a touch screen and a method for displaying a key corresponding to an area in which an input event by a user is detected on the terminal are provided. The method includes in a character input mode, determining whether a touch event is detected in a key display area including at least one key area, when the touch event is detected, confirming a key area of the key display area in which the touch event is detected, and displaying a key recognition item on the key area.