Virtual Keyboard Activation via Distance-Based Touch Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch screens face usability challenges in accurately activating virtual keys due to mismatches between the touch area and visual targets, requiring a method to process touches independently of visual target correspondence.
Innovation Solution
A method determines the activation of virtual keys by calculating the physical distance between touch locations and key locations, with optional weighting and dynamic adjustment of weights based on activation sequences and statistical probabilities, allowing for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If virtual keys are aligned with visual targets on the display screen, then the visual accuracy is improved, but the touch area coverage is reduced leading to activation failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual key representation into two distinct components: visual targets (displayed on screen) and touch areas (sensitive regions). By separating these functions, the system can optimize each independently - visual targets maintain precise positioning while touch areas expand to cover larger regions, resolving the contradiction between visual accuracy and activation success.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that decouples the relationship between touch input and visual target correspondence. This intermediary system processes touch locations independently, determining key activation based on touch position rather than requiring exact visual target alignment, thereby improving activation success without compromising visual precision.
2Ease of operation
If the touch area is enlarged to improve activation ease, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision of key selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the virtual key structure into visual targets (maintaining precise boundaries for selection) and touch areas (enlarged for ease of activation). This segmentation allows the touch area to be larger without affecting the precision of key selection, as the visual target defines the selection boundary while the touch area defines the activation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the virtual key system: visual targets maintain high precision and sharp boundaries for accurate selection, while touch areas have relaxed precision with expanded boundaries for easy activation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each component for its specific function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple key locations are associated with a single virtual key, then the activation flexibility is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple key locations into a single virtual key entity, allowing any of the multiple locations to activate the same key. This combining approach increases activation flexibility without proportionally increasing processing complexity, as the system treats multiple locations as alternative access points to the same functional target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each virtual key multi-functional by associating it with multiple key locations. A single virtual key can be activated from any of its associated locations, providing universal activation capability that improves flexibility while managing complexity through shared key identification across multiple positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a touch screen to activate one of a plurality of virtual keys is provided. A touch location is determined based on location data pertaining to touch input on the touch screen, wherein the touch input is intended to activate one of the plurality of virtual keys. Each of the plurality of virtual keys has a set of at least one key location corresponding to it. For each of the virtual keys, a parameter (such as physical distance) is determined for that virtual key that relates the touch location and the set of at least one key location corresponding to that virtual key. The determined parameters are processed to determine one of the virtual keys. For example, the determined one virtual key may be the virtual key with a key location (or more than one key location, on average) being closest to the touch location. A signal is generated indicating activation of the determined one of the virtual keys.