Touchscreen Local Distortion Zones for Edge Button Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch display systems face challenges in accurately activating graphical user interface (GUI) buttons and icons near the outer edges of the touchscreen surface due to dead zones caused by bezels, making it difficult for users to select these elements, especially in smaller display applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of local distortion zones on the touchscreen, where user touch points are distorted based on their location within these zones, allowing for improved activation of perimeter GUI buttons and icons by adjusting the coordinates to align with target locations, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional calibration methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dead zones are created along the outer edges of the touchscreen to prevent erroneous touches from bezel pressure, then false touches are reduced, but GUI buttons and icons near the edges become difficult or impossible to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coordinate transformation properties to different regions of the touchscreen. Edge regions with dead zones use non-linear coordinate transformations that map touched coordinates to effective coordinates extending beyond the physical touchscreen boundaries, while central regions maintain linear transformations. This local differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coordinate transformation parameters based on the location of touched coordinates. When a touch occurs in a dead zone region, the system applies a non-linear transformation with specific mapping parameters that differ from the standard linear transformation used in central regions. This parameter change enables touches in dead zones to be mapped to valid GUI element coordinates.
2Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used to ensure linear correspondence between touchscreen and display coordinates, then overall calibration accuracy is maintained, but touches near the bezel edges cannot accurately activate GUI elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the touchscreen coordinate space into multiple regions: central regions with linear coordinate correspondence and edge regions with dead zones requiring non-linear transformation. By segmenting the coordinate transformation approach, the system can maintain high precision in central regions while enabling functionality in edge regions that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mapping touchscreen coordinates directly to display coordinates using a single linear transformation, the patent inverts the approach by detecting the touched coordinates and dynamically determining the appropriate transformation method. For edge touches, it applies non-linear transformations that map beyond the physical touchscreen boundaries to the corresponding display coordinates, effectively working backwards from the touch point to find the correct target location.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using a touch display system comprises defining local distortion zones within regions of a touchscreen. Each of the local distortion zones has an associated calibration touch point and a target. Coordinates of a user touch point are distorted within a first local distortion zone based on a location of the user touch point within the first local distortion zone.