Single-Finger Trackpad Activation on Force-Sensor-Free Touch Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch-sensitive devices without force sensors face challenges in efficiently activating a trackpad mode due to the need for multi-finger gestures, which occupy valuable screen space and are inefficient, and there is a lack of single-finger gestures for activating trackpad mode.

Innovation Solution

Implementing single-finger gestures such as extended contact over a spacebar key or a tip-to-print roll gesture on a virtual keyboard to switch between keyboard-input and trackpad modes, allowing devices without force sensors to activate trackpad mode efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-finger gestures are used to activate trackpad mode, then trackpad mode can be activated on devices without force sensors, but the gesture occupies valuable screen space and reduces input efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrackpad mode activation capabilityVSAvoidinput efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual keyboard is segmented into specific key regions (e.g., spacebar area, bottom row keys) that serve as dedicated trackpad activation zones. By dividing the keyboard into functional segments, the system enables trackpad mode activation through single-finger gestures on specific keys without requiring multi-finger gestures across the entire screen, thus maintaining input efficiency while providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multi-finger gestures are used to activate trackpad mode, then trackpad mode can be activated on devices without force sensors, but it obscures too much of the already-small amount of display screen area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrackpad mode activation capabilityVSAvoidvisible display screen area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the virtual keyboard are assigned different functions: specific keys (spacebar, bottom row) serve as trackpad activation zones, while other keys maintain their standard typing function. This local differentiation allows the system to enable trackpad mode activation without requiring gestures that obscure large portions of the display, as users only need to place a single finger on designated key areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If single-finger gestures are implemented for trackpad mode activation, then input complexity is reduced and screen space is preserved, but gesture design must avoid confusion with other gestures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput efficiencyVSAvoidgesture differentiation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures specific keyboard keys as dedicated trackpad activation zones before user interaction. When a user presses these predetermined keys, the system immediately recognizes the intent to activate trackpad mode without requiring additional gesture complexity. This preliminary assignment of functions to specific keys simplifies the gesture design and reduces confusion with other gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional cursor manipulation methods are used without force sensors, then devices can be manufactured with fewer components, but pressure-sensitive gestures are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpressure-sensitive gesture capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical force sensing system with a software-based solution that uses the existing touch-sensitive display. By substituting the need for physical force sensors with virtual key press detection and gesture recognition algorithms, the system maintains pressure-sensitive gesture capabilities while simplifying device manufacturing. The touch display's inherent ability to detect finger contact positions and durations is leveraged to create virtual pressure-sensitive gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3803561B1Systems and methods for activating and using a trackpad at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display and no force sensors

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 APPLE INC

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AI summary

Disclosed herein are single-finger gestures for activating a trackpad mode on a touch-sensitive device with no force sensors. An example method includes: displaying a virtual keyboard on a touch-sensitive display with a spacebar key and other keys. Detecting a first extended contact over the virtual keyboard and, in accordance with a determination that the first extended contact is over any of the respective displayed representations of the other keys, interpreting the first extended contact as a keyboard input and activating a corresponding extended keyboard function. The method also includes: detecting a second extended contact over the virtual keyboard. The method further includes: in accordance with a determination that the second extended contact is over a respective displayed representation of the spacebar key, interpreting the second extended contact as a mode-switching input that causes the electronic device to operate at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display as a trackpad.