Touchpad Coordinate Input Vector Correction for Non-Rectangular Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coordinate input devices, such as touch-pads, often cause user discomfort due to limited operable distances and shapes that are not rectangular, leading to inaccurate vector detection and inefficient operation, especially when used in constrained spaces like automobiles where the user cannot see the input surface.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate input device that calculates the movable distance and movement speed to adjust the output vector, ensuring consistent user experience regardless of the input device's shape by using a calculation unit to correct the vector based on the distance and position relative to a reference point, thereby enhancing operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coordinate input device is circular or non-rectangular, then the device can be installed in constrained spaces and fits various design requirements, but the operable distance becomes limited and vector detection becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different reference points and operation detecting units for different regions of the touch-pad surface. Each region has its own reference point (e.g., center point for circular touch-pads) and operation detecting unit, allowing accurate vector detection to be achieved locally in each region while maintaining the overall non-rectangular shape of the device.
2Ease of operation
If the operation detecting unit is positioned away from the center point, then the device layout is flexible, but the drag distance becomes short requiring multiple drags
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the relationship between different positions on the touch-pad surface and their corresponding reference points. The control unit uses this pre-established information to determine the appropriate reference point and operation detecting unit before processing the drag operation, enabling the system to compensate for position-based limitations and achieve efficient single-drag operations regardless of where the user touches.
3Shape
If the touch-pad shape is non-rectangular, then the device can be integrated into various form factors, but the output vector does not match the input vector magnitude causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the reference point and operation detecting unit based on the user's input position and the touch-pad's geometric shape. The control unit calculates the appropriate reference point (such as the center point for circular touch-pads) and selects the corresponding operation detecting unit to ensure that the output vector magnitude matches the input vector magnitude, maintaining input-output consistency regardless of the touch-pad's non-rectangular geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
V1 is an input vector when dragging around the outer circum of a touch-pad 2. A calculation unit 6 multiplies a coordinate movement coefficient ACL by the input vector V1 and sets an output vector V4 as the result of dragging at a short distance near the outer circumference of the touch-pad 2 and the output vector V5 as the result of dragging at a long distance near the center of the touch-pad 2 to be substantially the same length. The coordinate movement coefficient ACL is obtained by multiplying a transfer function f(v) obtained from the operation speed of finger by a transfer function f(d) that increases a coordinate movement amount of movement in a coordinate.