Chording Sheath for Touch Screen Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chording input devices for computing and mobile devices do not efficiently provide a chorded keyboard functionality without obstructing the screen or requiring complex hardware modifications.
Innovation Solution
A removable sheath with input elements that mechanically or electronically communicate with a touch screen to recognize chorded inputs, allowing users to enter characters or commands by pressing multiple keys together, while maintaining access to the screen and using wireless or wired communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a chording input device is added to a computing device, then typing speed and input efficiency are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex and the screen may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed to wrap around and enclose the computing device, with input elements nested within the sheath structure. The mechanical elements are housed within cavities in the sheath, allowing the entire input mechanism to be compactly integrated without obstructing the screen or requiring internal modifications to the computing device.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath acts as an intermediary device that provides chorded input functionality without requiring direct integration with the computing device's internal components. The mechanical elements press on the touch screen from the outside, serving as a mediator between the user's finger presses and the screen's input registration, thereby avoiding complex internal hardware modifications.
2Reliability
If mechanical elements are added to press on the touch screen, then chorded input recognition is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The input device is segmented into multiple independent input elements, each with its own mechanical element that can be independently activated. This segmentation allows for reliable detection of chorded inputs (multiple simultaneous presses) while keeping each individual mechanical element simple and manageable, avoiding the need for a single complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is constructed as a flexible or semi-rigid shell that can accommodate the mechanical elements while maintaining a compact form factor. The shell structure provides support and positioning for the mechanical elements without requiring heavy or complex internal framing, thus improving reliability of input detection while minimizing structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sheath is added to provide chorded input, then input versatility is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed to be compatible with multiple different computing devices through standardized attachment mechanisms, providing universal chorded input functionality across different device types. The input elements can be configured to work with various screen sizes and layouts, allowing one sheath design to serve multiple devices without requiring custom-sized versions, thus improving versatility while controlling overall size increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A chording sheath device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the chording sheath device includes an outer shell configured to be removeably attached to a computing device, a plurality of input elements, and a plurality of mechanical elements in communication with the plurality of input elements. The mechanical elements are configured to press on a touch screen of the computing device in response to chorded input received on the input elements.