Dual Touch Screen Interface for Information Handling Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interface devices for information handling systems, such as keyboards and mice, become cumbersome as application programs grow in complexity, limiting user interaction efficiency and reducing display space due to the proliferation of options and menus.

Innovation Solution

The use of touch screen devices with proximity, capacitive, and electromagnetic field sensors allows for enhanced user interaction by enabling multiple input screens and options to be displayed simultaneously, allowing users to interact with applications through gestures and virtual buttons, thereby improving flexibility and reducing the need for physical keyboards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional interface devices (keyboard, mouse) are used to interact with complex application programs, then users can access multiple menus and options, but the interaction becomes cumbersome and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access multiple optionsVSAvoiduser interaction convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical interface devices (keyboard, mouse) with a touch screen interface that allows direct manipulation of visual elements. Users can tap, drag, and gesture directly on the display to access options and menus, eliminating the need for indirect mechanical input methods and improving ease of operation while maintaining full access to application functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension of the touch screen display to organize and present multiple options, menus, and input screens simultaneously. By arranging interface elements in spatial layers and depth on the display, users can access comprehensive functionality without cumbersome navigation, transforming the traditional linear menu structure into a multi-dimensional interactive space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a toolbox with virtual buttons is provided to allow users to perform tasks, then users can select options by actuating buttons, but the number of buttons increases with the number of options, limiting display space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of available optionsVSAvoiddisplay space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interface elements that can appear, disappear, expand, and collapse based on user interaction and context. Toolboxes and menus are not static collections of buttons but dynamic structures that can be minimized to icons, expanded on demand, or contextually revealed, allowing the display to adapt its content density and preserve space while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested interface structures where toolboxes contain collapsible sections, menus are nested within icons, and options are organized in hierarchical layers. This nesting allows multiple levels of functionality to be contained within compact visual elements, preserving display space while providing comprehensive access to all options through progressive disclosure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the user experience by increasing display space, improving interaction flexibility, and allowing simultaneous display of multiple options and input screens, thereby addressing the limitations of conventional interface devices.

Implementation Method 1

touch screen devices with proximity, capacitive, and electromagnetic field sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

touch screen devices with proximity, capacitive, and electromagnetic field sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

touch screen devices with proximity, capacitive, and electromagnetic field sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8259080B2Information handling system display device and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes two touch screens. In one embodiment, one of the touch screens is incorporated in a base of the information handling system and the other is incorporated in a lid of the information handling system. An application can display different informational views in each touch screen, allowing a user to interact with the data in each screen independently.