Touch Sensing Area Sequence Command Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with touch panels or touch pads struggle to accurately recognize and execute commands due to variations in user input, making it difficult for users to intuitively associate patterns with corresponding applications, leading to inconsistent command execution.

Innovation Solution

A method where users execute commands by tracing specific sequences of sensing areas on a touch surface, generating responsive signals that correspond to predefined patterns, allowing the processor to execute corresponding commands, thereby simplifying the association between patterns and commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional touch panels or touch pads are used to input commands, then users can interact with the device, but the device cannot accurately recognize the intended command due to variations in user input traces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand recognition accuracyVSAvoiduser input consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch surface is divided into multiple discrete sensing areas (e.g., a 3x3 grid of 9 sensing areas). Instead of recognizing continuous handwritings, the system detects which discrete sensing areas are touched and in what sequence, converting analog input variations into discrete, recognizable patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the recognition parameter from the shape and continuity of the tracing path to the sequence of discrete sensing area contacts. This parameter transformation makes the input recognition robust against variations in user drawing speed, pressure, and path curvature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex patterns are used to represent commands, then more commands can be distinguished, but users must memorize complex associations between patterns and applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand varietyVSAvoidpattern memorization burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the touch surface into a grid of sensing areas, the system creates a finite set of positionable inputs. Users input commands by touching specific sensing areas in specific sequences, creating intuitive patterns based on spatial relationships rather than abstract symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to memorize what pattern corresponds to what command, the system inverts the approach: users naturally create simple spatial patterns (like drawing a house shape or an arrow), and the system maps these intuitive patterns to commands. The mapping works from user-friendly input to system function, rather than requiring users to learn system-defined symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8115740B2Electronic device capable of executing commands therein and method for executing commands in the same

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 HTC CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for executing commands in an electronic device having a touch sensing element. A stylus or finger is used to touch the touch sensing element and move through several sensing areas on the touch sensing element. A responsive signal is generated by the touch sensing element according to the touched sensing areas. A processor then executes a corresponding command in accordance with the responsive signal.