Touch Screen Lock Function Selection via Pressure Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals with touch screens often unintentionally register key inputs due to slight pressure recognition, making it difficult for users to select functions like the lock or silent mode, as they need to search and input multiple times through menus.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the mobile terminal measures pressure, current, or capacitance on the touch screen, selecting a lock function if the measured value exceeds a preset threshold, allowing for strong touches, multiple area touches, or wide area contacts to activate the lock function, including when the user's face contacts the screen in communication mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch screen recognizes even slight pressure as a touch input, then the touch screen provides responsive user interface, but keys may be unintentionally input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring the pressure magnitude of touch inputs and comparing it against threshold values. Different pressure ranges trigger different functions: light pressure activates menu functions while heavy pressure activates lock function. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sensitivity to user input while filtering out unintentional activations through pressure-based discrimination.
2Ease of operation
If a user searches for and selects lock function through menus, then the lock function can be selected, but the user must input key several times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-assigning the lock function to a specific pressure threshold condition. When the system detects heavy pressure on the touch screen, it directly activates the lock function without requiring the user to navigate through menus. This eliminates the time-consuming menu search and multiple key inputs, while the function is already prepared and ready for immediate activation.
3Weight of moving object
If the touch screen size and weight decrease, then the terminal size and weight decrease, but the touch screen becomes more sensitive to pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses over-sensitivity by implementing pressure threshold discrimination. Instead of treating all pressure inputs equally, the system establishes different pressure thresholds: light pressure triggers normal menu functions while heavy pressure triggers the lock function. This parameter-based differentiation allows the small, sensitive touch screen to function reliably without being overly responsive to unintentional pressure.
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 convenience by allowing easy selection of desired functions, such as lock or silent mode, through distinct touch inputs, preventing erroneous operations during communication and improving usability in various modes.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, when at least one touch occurs on the touch screen, at least one of a pressure, a current, and a capacitance of an area of the touch screen in which the touch occurs
Implementation Method 2
measuring, when at least one touch occurs on the touch screen, at least one of a pressure, a current, and a capacitance of an area of the touch screen in which the touch occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal and a method of selecting a lock function thereof are provided. The method of selecting a lock function of a mobile terminal having a touch screen includes: measuring, when at least one touch occurs on the touch screen, at least one of a pressure, a current, and a capacitance of an area of the touch screen in which the touch occurs; and selecting, if at least one of the measured pressure, current, and capacitance is greater than or equal to a preset value, a lock function. Thus, by touching the touch screen in such a manner that a high current or capacitance may be measured in a specific area of the mobile terminal, a user can easily perform a desired function, thereby improving user convenience.