Touchscreen Imaging Apparatus with Force Threshold Input Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screen-based image capturing devices are prone to incorrect manipulation and unintended operation due to the lack of clear differentiation between input commands, leading to incorrect image capture and reduced user maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressing-force sensor and touch-position recognizing unit to differentiate between intended and unintended inputs by requiring a specific pressing force on the touch screen for image capture and focus operations, with haptic feedback to simulate physical button presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel is used for input, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended activation and incorrect manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by detecting the pressing force magnitude as a distinguishing parameter. Different pressing force levels (first threshold for focus, second threshold for capture) are used to differentiate between intended focus operations and intended capture operations, preventing unintended activation while maintaining touch panel ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing force detection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's touch input and the image capturing operations. By measuring the force parameter, the system mediates between simple touch input and reliable operation differentiation, ensuring that only deliberate actions with sufficient force trigger capture functions
2Reliability
If pressing force detection is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force sensor serves multiple functions: it distinguishes between focus and capture operations, prevents unintended activation, and enables nuanced user input recognition. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing reliability improvements across multiple operational contexts without requiring separate mechanisms for each function
3Reliability
If multiple input methods are used (touch panel and physical button), then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch panel interface with pressing force detection capability into a unified input system. Instead of maintaining separate touch panel and physical button systems, the solution combines both functions into the touch panel itself, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through force-based input differentiation
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
Reduces the likelihood of incorrect image capture operations while maintaining user-friendly maneuverability by clearly defining input commands through force-based interactions on the touch screen.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing-force sensor for detecting a pressing force with which the user presses the display screen with a finger
Implementation Method 2
a haptic feedback arrangement configured to impart haptic feedback to the finger in contact with the display screen
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an image-capturing device for displaying an image of a subject on a screen, and performing image-capturing operation for the subject in response to a user's input to the screen. The method includes: a first step of detecting a pressing force of the user's finger press on the screen; a second step of displaying an image capture icon on the screen, the icon being actuated by the user for commanding the device for the capturing operation; a third step of, in response to a determination that the touch position overlaps with a region of the icon displayed, and that the force is above a first threshold, initiating focusing operation to focus on the subject; and a fourth step of, after the focusing operation is initiated, in response to a determination that the force is above a second threshold larger than the first threshold, initiating the capturing operation.