Dual-Mode Keyboard Input Detection for Touch Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual keyboards on touch-sensitive display devices suffer from issues such as erroneous key selection, lack of tactile feedback, and sluggish visual feedback, while physical keyboards become inoperative when moved away from the device.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard designed for touch-sensitive display devices that can operate in multiple modes: detecting input via a touch sensor when overlaid on the display and via wireless transmission when spaced away, with selective enablement of wireless components to conserve power and maintain functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical keyboard is used overlaid on the touch-sensitive display device, then tactile feedback and typing accuracy are improved, but the keyboard becomes inoperative when moved away from the device
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect input through the touch sensor when overlaid on the display device, and simultaneously function as a wireless input device when spaced away from the display. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the keyboard adaptable to different usage scenarios while maintaining reliability in both modes
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard dynamically switches between two operational modes based on its proximity to the display device. When close to the display, it operates in touch sensor detection mode; when moved away, it switches to wireless transmission mode. This dynamic adaptation maintains typing detection reliability across varying positions and orientations
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless transmission is continuously enabled for remote keyboard operation, then position flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter is dynamically enabled or disabled based on the keyboard's position relative to the display device. When the keyboard is close to the display and touch sensor detection is available, the wireless transmitter remains disabled to conserve power. When the keyboard is moved away and touch detection is no longer possible, the wireless transmitter is enabled to maintain functionality. This dynamic power management resolves the contradiction between position flexibility and power consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless transmission is used for input detection, then keyboard position flexibility is improved, but interference and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between touch sensor detection mode and wireless transmission mode based on keyboard proximity to the display. When close, touch sensor detection is used which eliminates wireless interference. When moved away, wireless transmission is activated only when necessary. This dynamic mode selection minimizes wireless interference while maintaining position flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor acts as an intermediary detection mechanism when the keyboard is close to the display, allowing input detection without wireless transmission. This intermediary approach avoids the harmful effects of continuous wireless transmission while maintaining the ability to detect typing input
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed that relate to a keyboard for a touch-sensitive display device. One example provides a touch-sensitive display device comprising a touch sensor, a display, a wireless receiver, a logic subsystem, and a storage subsystem. The storage subsystem comprises instructions executable by the logic subsystem to, in a first mode in which a keyboard satisfies a detection condition of the touch sensor, detect, via the touch sensor, input applied to the keyboard, and, in a second mode in which the keyboard does not satisfy the detection condition of the touch sensor, receive input from the keyboard via the wireless receiver, the input being detected at least in part by the keyboard operating in the second mode.