Dual Multi-Display Device Segmentation for Docking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld computing devices with single touch screen displays face challenges in balancing display graphics and input areas, leading to user frustration and productivity loss due to visual clutter and limited screen space, especially when complex interactions are required.
Innovation Solution
A dual multi-display handheld device with a primary and secondary touch-sensitive screen that can change orientations and configurations to provide enhanced functionality, including the ability to interface with different docking stations and adjust display modes for expanded functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single touch screen display is used to provide both display information and receive user inputs, then the device configurability increases and user interface options expand, but the display becomes obfuscated and visual clutter increases leading to user frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate touch-sensitive displays: a primary display for displaying information and a secondary display for receiving user inputs. This segmentation allows each display to have a dedicated function, eliminating the visual clutter that occurs when both functions are combined on a single display while maintaining the configurability and interface options.
2Area of stationary object
If the display space is increased to provide more information, then the screen real estate expands, but the area available for receiving inputs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display and input functions across two separate displays, the primary display can be maximized for information presentation while the secondary display provides adequate space for input operations without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a two-dimensional single-display interface to a three-dimensional multi-display configuration, utilizing spatial arrangement to provide both extensive display area and sufficient input area simultaneously by positioning displays in different orientations and locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a virtual keypad or user interface scheme is superimposed on the display, then input functionality is provided, but the application space is squeezed into a smaller portion of the display
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of functions across two displays eliminates the need to superimpose input interfaces over application content. The secondary display is dedicated to input operations, allowing the primary display to showcase applications in full screen without any overlay or reduction in display space.
4Area of stationary object
If a dual multi-display configuration is implemented, then display space and input space are expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both displays are implemented as touch-sensitive displays with identical capabilities, allowing either display to serve multiple functions depending on the operational mode. This universality simplifies the system architecture compared to having specialized displays with different technologies, as the same hardware can be configured for different purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the functional roles of the displays can be changed based on operational needs. The system can switch between different modes (first display mode, second display mode, third display mode) that dynamically assign different functions to each display, reducing the need for complex hardware switches and simplifying the overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-display device can interface with two or more different types of docking stations. The device can determine the type of dock and change the pin outs for a connector to interface with that dock. Once docked, the device can determine a charge status for the device and the dock to present the status to the user. Further, the dock can enter one of several modes, including a call receipt mode and an entertainment mode. The modes allow for expanded functionality for the device while docked. Two particular docks, the laptop dock and the smart dock, provide special functionality with the device.