Face Orientation Cursor Positioning on Compact Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compact electronic devices, such as notebook computers, the size of touchpads is minimized, requiring operators to swipe a significant distance to access display areas, which can be inefficient and cumbersome, especially when performing tasks like closing applications or selecting menu items.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a controller that uses a camera to detect the operator's face orientation and activate corresponding display regions on the screen, allowing the cursor to be positioned automatically within the desired region, reducing the need for extensive movement or force when using a pointing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the electronic device is minimized (compact design), then portability is improved, but the touchpad size is reduced requiring operators to swipe significant distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces face orientation detection as a new dimension for cursor control, moving beyond traditional touchpad spatial movement. By detecting the direction the user is facing and mapping it to cursor position, the system adds a directional dimension that eliminates the need for physical swiping across the touchpad surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchpad swiping system with an optical sensing system using a camera to detect face orientation. This substitution eliminates the mechanical constraint of touchpad size, allowing cursor control to be decoupled from physical touchpad dimensions while maintaining ease of operation.
2Volume of moving object
If touchpad size is minimized in compact devices, then device portability is improved, but cursor navigation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical touchpad interaction system is replaced with an optical face orientation detection system. This substitution allows cursor navigation to be controlled by head direction rather than physical finger movements, significantly improving navigation efficiency in compact devices where touchpad size is constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces face orientation detection as an intermediary between the user's intent and cursor movement. Instead of direct touchpad manipulation, the system uses camera-based orientation detection as a mediator to translate user direction into cursor position, improving navigation efficiency without requiring larger touchpads.
3Volume of moving object
If traditional touchpad control is used in compact devices, then device size is reduced, but user effort for cursor movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical force-based touchpad control is replaced with an optical detection system that requires no physical force. The camera-based face orientation detection eliminates the need for users to apply swipe force, completely decoupling cursor control from mechanical input effort while maintaining compact device dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, an electronic device may include a display screen defining a plurality of display regions. Further, the electronic device may include a camera to capture an image of an operator of the electronic device. Furthermore, the electronic device may include a controller operatively coupled to the camera and the display screen. The controller may detect an orientation of the operator's face with respect to the display screen using the captured image. Further, the controller may determine a first display region of the plurality of display regions corresponding to the detected orientation of the operators face. Furthermore, the controller may activate the first display region to position a cursor of a pointing device within the first display region.