Dynamic Keyboard Positioning for Foldable Split-Screen Obstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing display method for keyboards on foldable-screen devices obstructs a significant area of the screen when two applications are displayed in a split-screen form, leading to a poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard display method that dynamically adjusts the position of the keyboard region within the corresponding app region on a foldable-screen device, allowing the keyboard to be displayed in a floating window or within the app region, thereby minimizing screen obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the keyboard region is displayed on the lower position of the entire screen, then the keyboard is easily accessible for user input, but it obstructs a large area of the screen and hinders the user from viewing the split-screen interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekeyboard accessibilityVSAvoidscreen obstruction area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard region is repositioned from a global fixed position (lower position of entire screen) to a local position within the specific app region where the input box is located. This allows the keyboard to be contextually positioned near the active input area while minimizing obstruction to other parts of the split-screen interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard display position is changed from a two-dimensional fixed location at the bottom of the screen to a flexible position within the app region, allowing it to be placed adjacent to or near the input box in various orientations (above, below, left, right) based on the layout requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the keyboard region is displayed to facilitate text input, then user input capability is improved, but the viewing area for app interfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext input capabilityVSAvoidapp interface viewing area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is positioned locally within or adjacent to the app region containing the input box, rather than occupying a fixed global position. This localized positioning ensures the keyboard is readily accessible for text input while minimizing its impact on the overall app interface viewing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the keyboard region occupies the lower position of the entire screen, then it provides a stable and consistent display location, but it cannot adapt to different split-screen layouts and app regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekeyboard display position stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to split-screen layouts
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard display position transitions from a static fixed location to a dynamic position that adapts based on the active app region and split-screen layout. The keyboard automatically repositions itself within or near the relevant app region when the user activates an input box, providing both stability (consistent positioning within the app region) and adaptability (adjusting to different split-screen configurations).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard positioning system becomes multi-functional by serving different app regions in different split-screen layouts (vertical, horizontal, varying sizes). Instead of being dedicated to a single fixed position, the keyboard can adaptively position itself for various input scenarios across different applications and screen configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4177722B1Keyboard display method, foldable screen device, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4177722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to the field of electronic technologies, and provides a keyboard display method, a foldable-screen device, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: displaying a first interface, where the first interface includes a first region and a second region, the first region is used to display an interface of a first app, the second region is used to display an interface of a second app, the first region includes a first input box of the first app, and the second region includes a second input box of the second app; when the first region and the second region are distributed from left to right, receiving a first operation performed by a user on the first input box, and displaying a keyboard region in the first region; and receiving a second operation performed by the user on the second input box, displaying the keyboard region in the second region, and stopping displaying the keyboard region in the first region. In the method, a screen can be prevented from being obstructed too much by the keyboard region, which is convenient for the user to watch the screen, thereby improving user experience.