Virtual Mouse Control on Multipoint Touchpad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable computers with multipoint touchpads struggle to replicate the functionality of a traditional mouse, making it inconvenient to perform certain operations without a physical mouse, especially when carrying the computer.

Innovation Solution

A touch control device with a touchpad and a system circuit that detects and analyzes touch events to recognize finger positions, defining them as virtual mouse keys, allowing for mouse-like operations such as left-click, right-click, and cursor movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a multipoint touchpad is used in a portable computer, then the device portability is improved, but the ability to perform mouse operations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidmouse operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual mouse system that replicates physical mouse functionality on the touchpad surface. By detecting multi-touch gestures and mapping them to virtual mouse keys (left click, right click, scroll wheel), the system copies mouse operations into the touch interface domain, allowing users to perform mouse-like actions without a physical mouse device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical mouse system with a touch-based virtual mouse system. Instead of using a physical mouse with mechanical buttons and scroll wheel, the system uses touchpad surface gestures detected by capacitive sensing to simulate mouse functionality, substituting mechanical interaction with touch-based interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If mouse operations are not supported on touchpad, then the device structure is simplified, but the operational versatility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidoperational versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the touchpad universally functional by enabling it to perform both standard touch gestures and virtual mouse operations. The same touchpad surface can detect various multi-touch gestures (pinch, spread, rotate) and also simulate mouse operations (click, right-click, scroll), allowing one device component to serve multiple functions without requiring separate hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10088943B2Touch control device and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A touch control device including a touchpad, a first driving circuit and a system circuit is provided. The first driving circuit is coupled to the touchpad for driving the touchpad to detect a sensed value frame of a touch event on the touchpad. The system circuit is coupled to the first driving circuit for analyzing the sensed value frame provided by the first driving circuit to recognize a first finger position, a second finger position and a third finger position, and defining the first finger position as a left key position of a virtual mouse, the second finger position as a right key position of the virtual mouse according to a position relationship among the first finger position, the second finger position and the third finger position. An operating method of a touch control device is also provided.