Virtual Touch Knob Structure for Full-Screen Electronic Interfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with display panels face challenges in incorporating a knob mechanism due to complexity and space constraints, which reduces the available display region.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring a virtual knob portion on the protective layer, with a touch layer and functional layer configuration, allowing for touch-based operation without occupying physical space on the screen, utilizing a touch electrode and oscillator for user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical knob mechanism is added to the electronic device, then user control capability is improved, but the display area is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of a physical knob that appears on the display screen. This virtual knob replicates the functional appearance and interaction model of a traditional physical knob without requiring actual mechanical components, thereby maintaining user control capability while preserving the full display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical knob system with an electronic/software-based virtual knob implementation. Instead of using physical rotating mechanisms, buttons, and mechanical feedback systems, the invention uses touch-sensitive display technology with software-rendered graphical interfaces and digital signal processing to achieve equivalent control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a physical knob mechanism is added to the electronic device, then user control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical knob system with an electronic/software-based virtual knob implementation. Instead of using physical rotating mechanisms, buttons, and mechanical feedback systems, the invention uses touch-sensitive display technology with software-rendered graphical interfaces and digital signal processing to achieve equivalent control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual knob implementation can serve multiple control functions through software configuration. The same hardware platform (touch display) can render different types of virtual controls (knobs, sliders, buttons) for various applications, eliminating the need for separate physical control mechanisms for different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the screen bezel is made narrower to achieve large screen effect, then display area is improved, but space for physical controls is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcontrol operation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of a physical knob that appears on the display screen. This virtual knob replicates the functional appearance and interaction model of a traditional physical knob without requiring actual mechanical components, thereby maintaining user control capability while preserving the full display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions control interfaces from the physical dimension (external buttons and knobs on the device chassis) to the digital dimension (graphical interfaces on the display screen). This dimensional shift allows controls to be integrated within the display area itself, eliminating the need for separate physical control zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11809665B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

An electronic device is provided, including a functional layer, a touch layer, and a protective layer. The touch layer includes at least one touch electrode, and is disposed between the functional layer and the protective layer. The protective layer includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface faces the touch layer, and the top surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The top surface includes an inner region, an outer region, and a virtual knob portion. The virtual knob portion is disposed between the inner region and the outer region and corresponds to the touch electrode, and at least a portion of the virtual knob portion protrudes from the outer region or is depressed relative to the outer region.