Dual-Hinged Portable Device Segmentation for Ergonomic Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with dual displays are difficult to hold and operate due to the overlapping screens and touch panels, which hinder user input and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic apparatus with a connection mechanism that allows the first housing to cover the display and touch panel in a closed state, exposing them together in an open state, featuring separate touch panels and operation sections on each housing for improved ergonomics and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If both displays are exposed on the same plane in an opened state to provide a large screen, then the display area is increased, but the device becomes difficult to hold and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can be held independently or together. Each housing has its own display, allowing the user to hold the device in a comfortable manner while still accessing both displays when opened. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the display area across separate operable units.
2Area of stationary object
If screens overlap almost the entire surface of the housing to maximize display area, then the display coverage is increased, but user input becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the device into two housings with distinct displays and input areas, users can operate input sections without obscuring the entire display surface. The segmented structure allows simultaneous access to display areas and input sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single-plane overlay layout to a three-dimensional configuration where housings can be opened and positioned at angles, creating vertical and lateral separation between display and input areas that resolves the two-dimensional space conflict.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel covers the entire display surface to enable touch input, then touch interaction is enabled, but false detection occurs and physical keyboard input is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The input functionality is segmented into two types: touch panel on one housing and physical keyboard on the other. This separation eliminates the false detection problem associated with full-surface touch panels while preserving touch interaction capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different input methods are applied to different locations/housings based on their specific functional requirements. The touch panel is applied locally to the first housing while the physical keyboard is provided on the second housing, optimizing each area for its intended use.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a portable electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a touch panel, a display, a connection mechanism, an operation unit, and a control unit. The touch panel is arranged in a first surface of the first housing. The display is arranged in a second surface of the second housing. The connection mechanism connects the first housing and the second housing so as to switch between a closed state where the first housing covers the display and the touch panel is exposed to the outside and an opened state where the touch panel and the display are exposed to the outside while being adjacent to each other. The operation unit is arranged on the second surface at a position adjacent to the display. The control unit controls an operation of each unit.