Conformal Keyboard for Portable Device Hand Shape Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices like mobile tablet computers and e-books are inconvenient for inputting words or commands due to limited hot keys and difficulty in holding them steadily while using a touch panel, making it hard to perform tasks efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a body, panel display, touch sensor, and positioning determining element that sets up a conformal virtual keyboard based on the user's hand shape, allowing for input via thumbs and other fingers, and includes an auxiliary element for alerting when the keyboard is set up, enabling multi-touch signal detection and execution of programs through finger gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a mobile tablet computer or E-book is made light and thin, then portability is improved, but the number of hot keys is reduced making operation inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard layout dynamically adapts to the user's hand shape by detecting finger positions on the touch sensor. The positioning determining element determines the locations of each finger when the body is held, and defines a conformal keyboard corresponding to the shape of hands, transforming the static keyboard into a dynamic one that adjusts to user anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard parameters (layout, key positions, key sizes) are changed based on the detected hand shape. The system changes the keyboard configuration from a fixed standard layout to a customized conformal layout that matches the user's finger positions, resolving the contradiction between device thinness and operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If a standard keyboard is used on a portable device, then input capability is improved, but the device becomes harder to hold steadily
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a physical keyboard that occupies space and affects holding stability, the invention implements input capability locally at the touch sensor surface. The conformal keyboard is defined by key positions and key sizes that correspond to specific regions on the touch sensor, allowing input without adding physical bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of keyboard functionality on the touch sensor surface rather than using a physical keyboard. The conformal keyboard is a software-defined interface that replicates keyboard input capability while maintaining the device's lightweight and thin characteristics, allowing steady holding with one hand.
3Ease of operation
If the keyboard layout is customized to fit hand shape, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the user's hand shape and generating the appropriate conformal keyboard layout without requiring manual configuration. The positioning determining element autonomously determines finger locations and defines the keyboard, eliminating the need for complex setup procedures or user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the touch sensor to detect finger positions and adjust the keyboard layout accordingly. The touch sensor provides continuous feedback about which areas are being pressed, allowing the system to adapt the conformal keyboard in real-time based on actual user interaction patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device including a body, a panel display, a touch sensor, and a positioning determining element is provided. The panel display and the touch sensor are disposed at a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the body. The positioning determining element is disposed in the body for determining the locations of each finger when the body is hold and defining a conformal keyboard corresponding to the shape of hands, so the user can execute programs via the finger actions on the touch sensor conveniently.