Dynamic Touch Pad Region Adjustment for False Input Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing devices with adjacent touch pads and keyboards face issues with false inputs due to the difficulty in recognizing the boundary between the two, leading to unintentional touches and inputs, especially since software keyboards lack physical features to distinguish them by touch.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that dynamically adjusts the valid operating region of the touch pad based on the user's operational state, switching between different regions to minimize false inputs by changing the area of the touch pad's valid operating region and providing visual cues to the user, such as changing the shape of the touch pad's image on the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the touch pad and keyboard are disposed adjacent to each other to provide integrated input functionality, then the device can support both touch pad mode and key input mode, but false inputs occur when the user's palm inadvertently touches the touch pad
Solution Approach 1:
The touch pad surface is segmented into multiple valid operating regions (first valid operating region and second valid operating region) that can be independently activated. When the user types on the keyboard, only the first valid operating region (excluding the upper portion adjacent to the keyboard) is active, preventing palm touches from generating false inputs. When the user needs touch pad functionality, the second valid operating region (including the upper portion) is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The valid operating region of the touch pad is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically switches between different valid operating regions based on the detected input mode. This dynamic adjustment allows the touch pad to adapt its responsive area according to the current usage context, reducing false inputs during keyboard typing while maintaining full functionality during touch pad operation.
2Device complexity
If the software keyboard is implemented with a flat surface without physical steps or protrusions, then the device achieves a sleek integrated design, but the user cannot easily recognize the boundary between the keyboard and touch pad by touch
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual feedback (analogous to color changes in this context) by displaying different valid operating region configurations on the screen. The first valid operating region is displayed when keyboard input is detected, and the second valid operating region is displayed when touch pad input is detected. This visual indication helps users understand which area is currently responsive, compensating for the lack of tactile boundary recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about the current operational state and valid input regions. By detecting which input mode the user is attempting to use and adjusting the valid operating regions accordingly, the system gives implicit feedback about which area of the flat surface is currently receptive to input, helping users understand the functional boundary between keyboard and touch pad areas.
3Productivity
If the upper portion of the touch pad is always included in the valid operating region to maximize touch pad functionality, then the touch pad can be fully utilized, but false inputs occur during keyboard typing
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by preemptively excluding the upper portion of the touch pad from the valid operating region when keyboard input is detected. This prevents the potential harmful effect of false inputs from occurring in the first place, rather than trying to correct or filter them after they occur. The exclusion is automatically applied based on keyboard usage detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The valid operating region dynamically adjusts between including and excluding the upper portion based on the detected input mode. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maximize touch pad usability when needed while preventing false inputs during keyboard typing, optimizing both productivity and reducing harmful effects according to the current usage context.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products that can reduce false inputs to an information handling device are disclosed. Various embodiments of an apparatus include a processor of an information handling device and memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code can cause the processor to determine when a user is operating one of a keyboard and a touch pad and, in response to the user operating the one of the keyboard and the touch pad, modify an area of a valid operating region of the touch pad. A method and program product can also perform the functions of the apparatus.