Trackball Multi-Legged Support for Press-Positioning Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile terminals inaccurately recognize trackball operations due to friction between the trackball and pressure sensing module, limiting recognition to either pressing or scrolling, and failing to perform operations correctly.

Innovation Solution

A multi-legged support with elastic components senses pressure on the trackball and transmits deformation information to a processing module, which compares this information with stored thresholds to differentiate between pressing and scrolling operations, allowing accurate recognition and performance of corresponding actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the trackball contacts the pressure sensing module to enable pressing operation recognition, then pressing operations can be recognized, but friction prevents scrolling operation and reduces recognition accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrackball operation recognition accuracyVSAvoidtrackball scrolling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure-sensitive support structure with elastic legs is introduced as an intermediary between the trackball and the pressure sensing module. This mediator transmits pressure information when the trackball is pressed while allowing frictionless scrolling motion, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate pressing recognition and smooth scrolling capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent elastic legs that can deform individually. This segmentation allows the system to detect pressure magnitude through differential leg deformation while maintaining overall structural flexibility for scrolling operations without friction interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the trackball is pressed against the pressure sensing module, then pressing operation can be detected, but the friction makes scrolling impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing operation detectionVSAvoidscrolling operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic legged support acts as a mediator that decouples the pressing detection function from the scrolling function. During scrolling, the legs remain undeformed and do not create friction; during pressing, the legs deform to signal the pressure sensing module, thus maintaining both reliability of pressing detection and productivity of scrolling operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions dynamically between two states: a flexible, deformable state for pressure detection and a rigid, frictionless state for scrolling. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for either pressing or scrolling based on the current operation type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the mobile terminal recognizes only scrolling or pressing operations separately, then simple operations are easy to implement, but combined press-positioning operations cannot be performed correctly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation recognition systemVSAvoidpress-positioning operation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges scrolling operation detection and pressing operation detection into a unified recognition framework. By combining the positioning information from scrolling with the pressure magnitude information from the elastic legs, the system achieves accurate press-positioning operation recognition without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic legged support provides continuous feedback about pressure magnitude to the processing module. This feedback mechanism enables the system to distinguish between light pressing (scrolling) and heavy pressing (clicking) operations, thereby improving press-positioning accuracy through real-time pressure information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enhances the accuracy of trackball operation recognition and execution on mobile terminals by distinguishing between light and heavy pressure, enabling precise scrolling and clicking operations.

Implementation Method 1

determined deformation information of a multi-legged support that supports the trackball and is deformed when the trackball is under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2610715B1Trackball-based method and device for press-positioning
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP2610715B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2610715B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2610715B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides method and device for trackball-based press positioning, so as to effect a press-positioning operation on a trackball. According to the method, when the trackball is under pressure, the multi-legged support that supports the trackball will be deformed, and then transmits the deformation information to the processing module. The processing module compares the deformation information with the deformation threshold information stored therein. When it is determined that the trackball is under pressure but not in contact with the pressure sensing module, the trajectory of the trackball is recorded by the positioning module, and corresponding operations are performed on the displayed information in accordance with the trajectory. The press positioning information of the trackball may be recognized according to the present invention, and corresponding operations may be determined in accordance with the information. As a result, the accuracy of the recognition result at the mobile terminal and the accuracy of the final operation on information displayed on a screen will be increased.