Touchscreen Perimeter Input With Dynamic Sensor Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreen technologies are limited by the physical size of the display, requiring users to scroll by moving their fingers to the edge of the screen, which is not intuitive and can increase energy consumption with multi-sensor solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that enable seamless transition between a touch detection area and an activity domain outside the touch detection area using motion detection sensors, allowing intuitive user input beyond the physical boundaries of the screen without significantly increasing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multi-sensor technology is used to expand user input area beyond the screen, then the user interface becomes more intuitive and accessible, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates determining sensors only when user input is detected at the perimeter of the touch detection area. This dynamic activation allows the system to provide expanded input area functionality only when needed, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when the feature is utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic monitoring of the touch detection area perimeter to trigger sensor activation. By monitoring for perimeter input events and activating sensors only during these periodic checkpoints, the system achieves expanded input capability without the continuous energy drain of always-on multi-sensor operation.
2Ease of operation
If the touch detection area is physically enlarged to provide more input space, then scrolling and navigation become more comfortable, but the device size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends the input area from the two-dimensional touch screen surface into the third dimension of space around the device. By detecting input in the activity domain surrounding the device using determining sensors, it creates a virtual expansion of the input area without physically enlarging the device, thereby maintaining portability while improving scrolling comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The determining sensors act as intermediaries that detect user input in the space surrounding the device and translate it into meaningful input events. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to provide a larger effective input area without the physical footprint, bridging the gap between limited screen size and user comfort needs.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are activated continuously to detect user input outside the touch area, then input detection accuracy improves, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection at the touch detection area perimeter to anticipate and trigger activation of determining sensors before full external input detection is needed. This preliminary action ensures that sensors are activated only when necessary, maintaining detection accuracy for external inputs while avoiding continuous sensor operation and its associated energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a computer program product, and a device for user control of device applications. The method includes detecting user input at a perimeter of the touch detection area and activating one or more determining sensors. The method includes causing seamless transition between the touch detection area and an activity domain excluding the touch detection area. The seamless transition includes causing the device to respond to user input detected by the one or more determining sensors when the detected user input transits out from the perimeter of the touch detection area. Additionally, the seamless transition includes causing the device to respond to user input from the touch detection area when the detected user input transits into the touch detection area.