Adaptive Sub-keyboard Layout for Large Touch Panel Input Reach

Solution Overview

Problem

As touch panels on electronic devices, such as tablets, have grown larger, users find it difficult to reach the center of the software input interface with their thumbs while holding the device, necessitating an improved method for displaying the interface effectively.

Innovation Solution

The input interface displaying system divides the touch panel into two display areas based on the user's touch range, using curves or shapes to determine sub-keyboards that can be zoomed in or out to fit within these areas, allowing for efficient input operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the touch panel size is increased, then the display area is improved, but the user cannot reach the center position of the software input interface with their thumbs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaccessibility to center position

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The software input interface is divided into multiple sub-interfaces (first sub-interface and second sub-interface) that are displayed in different display areas (first display area and second display area) on the touch panel. This segmentation allows users to access different portions of the interface from different hand positions, making the center position reachable even on large screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single centralized input interface to a multi-area distributed interface layout. By distributing interface elements across multiple display areas rather than concentrating them in one location, the system enables access from multiple spatial dimensions and hand positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the software input interface is displayed in a single centralized area, then the interface layout is simple, but the user cannot comfortably operate with two hands on large touch panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface layout complexityVSAvoidtwo-hand operation comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The software input interface is divided into multiple sub-interfaces (first sub-interface and second sub-interface) that are displayed in different display areas (first display area and second display area) on the touch panel. This segmentation allows users to access different portions of the interface from different hand positions, making the center position reachable even on large screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the touch panel becomes larger, then more display content is visible, but the thumbs cannot reach the center position for input operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch panel areaVSAvoidthumb reach distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The software input interface is divided into multiple sub-interfaces (first sub-interface and second sub-interface) that are displayed in different display areas (first display area and second display area) on the touch panel. This segmentation allows users to access different portions of the interface from different hand positions, making the center position reachable even on large screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of the touch panel display. Users can view the displayed content through the camera feed, which allows them to see and interact with interface elements that would otherwise be out of reach or difficult to access on large touch panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9141286B2Electronic device and method for displaying software input interface

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 CHI MEI COMM SYST INC

AI summary

In a method for displaying an input interface on a touch panel of an electronic device, a first display area and a second display area are determined on the touch panel according to touch ranges of touch operations on the touch panel. The method obtains a first sub-keyboard and a second sub-keyboard of the input interface, displays the first sub-keyboard in the first display area by performing a zoom operation on the first sub-keyboard, and displays the second sub-keyboard in the second display area by performing the zoom operation on the second sub-keyboard.