Adaptive Keyboard Interface for Portable Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges in efficiently adapting user interfaces across multiple display surfaces due to the complexity of rotating housing portions and the confusion caused by hidden or virtual keyboards, which affects end-user interaction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, cameras, and Hall sensors to sense context and adapt user interfaces based on end-user intent, allowing the keyboard to transition between hidden and exposed positions, and dynamically allocate user interfaces across display portions to enhance interaction and collaboration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the keyboard is hidden below the system bottom surface to reduce system size and weight, then the system becomes more portable, but user interaction becomes less efficient and users may be confused about input methods
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard transitions from a static hidden state to a dynamically exposed state through rotation mechanisms. The display portion can rotate to expose the keyboard below the bottom surface, allowing the system to adapt between portable mode (keyboard hidden) and input mode (keyboard exposed), resolving the contradiction between portability and usability
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard is positioned in a third dimension below the bottom surface rather than occupying lateral space. By rotating the display portion, the keyboard can be brought into the user's interaction space without increasing the system's footprint or weight, maintaining portability while enabling efficient input
2Productivity
If the display portion rotates to expose the keyboard, then typed input efficiency improves, but the system configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The display portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both a display surface and a rotational mechanism to expose the keyboard. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve efficient typed input without adding separate complex mechanisms, as the display itself enables the keyboard exposure function
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard and display are merged into a single integrated unit where the keyboard is positioned below the display. Rotating the display simultaneously achieves both display orientation adjustment and keyboard exposure, combining multiple functions into one simple mechanical action that reduces overall system complexity
3Volume of moving object
If virtual keyboard is presented on display touchscreen, then system size is reduced, but typing efficiency decreases due to lack of physical feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between virtual keyboard mode (when display is flat) and physical keyboard mode (when display rotates to expose keyboard below). This dynamic transition allows the system to maintain compact size while providing physical feedback when needed, resolving the contradiction between size and typing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system user interface adapts based upon a position of a keyboard, such as a position detected by accelerations, Hall sensors, ambient light sensors and/or touchscreen display touches. In one example embodiment, a visual indication presented at a display aids end user location of a keyboard in a hidden position, such as a sliding keyboard disposed under a housing portion or a membrane keyboard integrated in a housing portion lower surface and exposed by a disconnect and flip motion.