Touchscreen Zoom Control via Pressing Force Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interface devices require two-handed operation to enlarge images on a touch screen, leading to potential incorrect manipulations and unintended operations when trying to perform single-handed image zooming or reduction.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device equipped with a touch-position recognizing unit, pressing-force sensor, and zoom controller that allows image zooming and reduction based on specific touch positions and pressing forces, enabling single-handed operation without triggering unintended actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a touch panel with virtual buttons is used instead of physical buttons, then the device size can be reduced and operability improved, but the risk of incorrect manipulation increases when performing single-handed image zooming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the touch operation by introducing pressing force detection as an additional dimension. By detecting the intensity of the touch (pressing force) in addition to the touch position, the system can distinguish between different user intentions. A light touch is interpreted as a selection operation, while a heavy touch is interpreted as a zoom operation, thereby preventing incorrect manipulations while maintaining the compact touch panel interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the touch interaction by incorporating pressing force detection. Instead of relying solely on the two-dimensional touch position, the system now considers the force dimension, creating a three-dimensional input space (position x, position y, force). This additional dimension allows the system to differentiate between zoom and selection operations more reliably, solving the ambiguity problem in single-handed operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If pinch-out gesture is used for image enlargement, then image zooming function is achieved, but single-handed operation becomes difficult and unintended operations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the operation parameters by detecting pressing force intensity. Instead of requiring a two-finger pinch gesture, the user can perform a single-finger tap with varying force. The system detects the pressing force threshold to determine whether the user intends to zoom or select, enabling intuitive single-handed operation while maintaining the image zooming function
3Reliability
If pressing force detection is added to distinguish zoom from selection, then operation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the touch panel serve multiple functions by adding pressing force detection capability. The same touch panel hardware now performs both position detection and force detection, enabling it to distinguish between different user intentions (zoom vs. selection) without requiring separate sensors or input devices. This multi-functionality approach improves operation accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enables accurate single-handed image enlargement and reduction on a touch screen, preventing unintended operations by using defined touch positions and pressing forces to distinguish between zooming and other actions.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing-force sensor detecting a pressing force with which the finger presses the display screen
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed of controlling a user interface device for displaying on a display screen a plurality of objects, and for enabling a user to perform an input action by touching the display screen with the user's finger. This method includes: upon the user's touch to the display screen at a region of one of the plurality of objects being displayed, selecting the one object as a zoom target; upon an event occurring in which an intensity of the finger's touch on the display screen exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining a magnification ratio of the zoom target or a change rate of the magnification ratio, based on the intensity of the finger's touch; and zooming in the zoom target on the display screen with the determined magnification ratio or the determined change rate.