Context-Driven Scroll Wheel Integrated Below Keyboard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation mechanisms on computer devices, such as scroll wheels and trackpads, are often separate from keyboards, leading to increased device size and complexity, which results in higher costs and reduced convenience for users.
Innovation Solution
A compact navigation mechanism integrated below a full-size keyboard, featuring a rotatable scroll wheel and additional buttons, allowing for context-driven navigation that reduces the need for additional hand movements and enhances usability by integrating with modifier keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate navigation mechanism (trackpad or trackball) is added to the device, then navigation functionality is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the navigation mechanism with the keyboard assembly, integrating the scroll wheel and buttons into the keyboard structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate navigation device, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining navigation functionality through the integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard assembly serves multiple functions: text input through keys and navigation through the integrated scroll wheel and buttons. This multi-functionality allows the same structural component to perform both typing and navigation tasks, reducing the need for additional dedicated navigation hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate navigation mechanism is added to the device, then navigation functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the navigation mechanism into the keyboard assembly, the patent reduces the total number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material costs while providing comprehensive navigation functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a trackpad is used for navigation, then navigation convenience is improved, but device area increases making it bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation components (scroll wheel and buttons) are integrated into the keyboard assembly, utilizing the existing keyboard footprint. This merging approach avoids adding extra area beyond what is already required for the keyboard, maintaining a compact device form factor while providing convenient navigation options.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation mechanism is positioned below the keyboard in a vertical arrangement, utilizing the depth dimension rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. This dimensional reorganization allows navigation functionality to be added without increasing the device's surface area or making it bulkier.
4Device complexity
If navigation mechanism is integrated below the keyboard, then device size is reduced, but accessibility and usability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation mechanism is positioned below the keyboard, utilizing the vertical dimension for accessibility. This arrangement allows users to access navigation controls through natural hand movement below the keyboard area, maintaining ease of operation while keeping the overall device footprint compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation components are strategically positioned below the keyboard where they are most accessible to users during typical typing positions. This localized placement ensures that navigation functionality remains easily accessible without requiring users to reach for separate remote controls or reposition their hands significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing navigation mechanism includes a scroll wheel integrated below a keyboard layout for navigation of applications displayed on a computer screen. In one embodiment, the scroll wheel is configured to direct movement in response to a context of interaction with an application visible as active on the computer screen. The scroll wheel includes intra-element scrolling for moving content within a window of the application and for moving between items within a menu of the application and inter-element scrolling for moving between enabled links in the application. Intra-element scrolling may include pane scrolling to move content in the first direction or the second direction within the window pane of an application. It also may include selection scrolling to incrementally select between items in a menu list in a menu. In addition, inter-element scrolling comprises item scrolling, which incrementally moves between links within applications such as a web browser.