Touchscreen Manipulable Object Holder for Tilted-Surface Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screen interaction technologies, such as those described in US2006256090 A1 and EP2187290 A1, fail to allow for flexible actuator implementation across different applications and orientations, leading to interaction errors when the touch surface is tilted or vertical, and translational movements during rotational interactions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a support for manipulable objects with lugs and slots that maintain interaction with the touch surface regardless of orientation, using a slot width greater than or equal to the support thickness to ensure continuous contact, and a notch to prevent lateral slippage, allowing for precise interactions including rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent mechanical layer with actuators is implemented on the touch surface, then the actuator implementation is fixed and stable, but the user cannot utilize the full touch surface across different applications and cannot change the actuator depending on the application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator implementation stabilityVSAvoidtouch surface utilization flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the touch surface into multiple zones: a first zone with a mechanical layer containing actuators, and a second zone without the mechanical layer. This segmentation allows different interaction modes in different regions, enabling both stable actuator implementation in the first zone and full touch surface utilization in the second zone across various applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the cursor is guided along a fixed axis on a tilted or vertical touch surface, then the guidance mechanism is simple, but the cursor will not remain in contact with the touch surface at its upper edge, resulting in interaction errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecursor guidance mechanism simplicityVSAvoidinteraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the cursor guidance dynamic by allowing the cursor to move along an axis that is not fixed relative to the touch surface orientation. The guidance mechanism adapts to the touch surface angle, maintaining cursor contact with the touch surface regardless of whether it is horizontal, tilted, or vertical, thus preventing interaction errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a game piece is used for rotational interaction on a touch screen, then rotational control is enabled, but the piece slides across the screen during rotation, leading to interaction errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational control capabilityVSAvoidinteraction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cursor as an intermediary element between the user's rotational input and the touch screen interface. The cursor is guided along a constrained path (such as a circular arc or chord) that corresponds to the rotational gesture, translating the rotation into precise interface control without the physical piece sliding across the screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a button with suction cup is used to fix position on touchscreen, then translational movement is prevented, but the button slides across the screen when touchscreen is positioned other than horizontally, leading to interaction errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton position stabilityVSAvoidorientation independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the button's interaction dynamic by allowing the contact point between the button and touch screen to change based on the device orientation. The button is designed to maintain contact with the touch surface through its lower edge or specific contact region, adapting to horizontal, tilted, or vertical positions without sliding, thus ensuring interaction accuracy across all orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3526662B1Manipulable object and holder for manipulable objects
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ORANGE SA
  • EP3526662B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2a
  • EP3526662B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3b
  • EP3526662B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

The invention relates to objects that can be manipulated relative to a touch-sensitive surface, in particular game pieces or buttons for interacting with a touch screen. A manipulable object according to the invention is a manipulable object comprising: · at least one lug enabling an interaction with the touch-sensitive surface, and · a slot suitable for inserting the manipulable object on a holder that can be positioned relative to the touch-sensitive surface, the placement of the slot over the height of the manipulable object being suitable for keeping the at least one lug of the manipulable object in interaction with the touch-sensitive surface. Thus, the manipulable object allows the touch-sensitive surface to be interacted with at any time without any interaction errors, regardless of the position of this touch-sensitive surface relative to the horizontal: the touch-sensitive surface identifies any interaction (at a point or sliding) of the manipulable object and a non-erroneous location of this interaction on the tactile surface.