Foldable Device Keyboard Attachment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern foldable information handling devices lack an integrated tactile keyboard, leading to inefficient user input experiences with digital keyboards and require managing multiple devices for input, which is burdensome.

Innovation Solution

A foldable device with a keyboard attachment mechanism that secures a removable keyboard between content display surfaces, allowing for easy transport and storage, and adjusts screen configurations based on keyboard attachment for optimal input and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a digital keyboard is used on the display screen, then the device can be made thinner and more compact, but user input efficiency and experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoiduser input efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components: a foldable display device and a separate removable keyboard. The keyboard can be detached and stored independently, allowing the display device to remain thin and portable while providing tactile input capability when needed. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the thin-form-factor function from the tactile input function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable keyboard is designed to nest within the foldable display device when not in use. The keyboard can be stored in a pocket or compartment of the display device, creating a compact integrated form when combined, while allowing the display device to maintain its thin profile when the keyboard is removed. This nesting approach enables both thinness and tactile input capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If an integrated tactile keyboard is added to the foldable device, then user input experience improves, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input experienceVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input functionality is segmented into a separate removable keyboard unit rather than being integrated into the display device. This allows the display device to remain simple and portable while the keyboard provides tactile input capability when attached. The segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard attachment is designed to be dynamic and adaptable - it can be easily attached and detached from the display device. The attachment mechanism allows for quick connection and disconnection without complex tools or procedures, enabling the device to transition between different operational states (with or without keyboard) and maintaining simplicity while improving user input experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a removable keyboard is attached to the foldable device, then user input capability improves, but the need to manage multiple separate devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput capabilityVSAvoidnumber of devices to manage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The removable keyboard is designed to physically attach to and integrate with the foldable display device, creating a unified combined device when needed. The keyboard can be magnetically or mechanically attached to the display device, allowing both components to function as a single integrated unit during use, thereby reducing the need to manage separate devices while maintaining improved input capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard is designed to nest within or attach to the display device structure, creating a compact integrated form when combined. This nesting approach allows the user to manage one unified device structure rather than carrying and coordinating multiple separate devices, while still providing enhanced input capability when the keyboard is attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Volume of moving object

If the keyboard is designed to fit the folded device footprint, then portability improves, but the attachment mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard storage sizeVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into simple modular components: attachment features on the keyboard and corresponding reception features on the display device. This segmentation allows for a compact design that fits the folded footprint while using simple, tool-free attachment mechanisms that do not add excessive complexity. The segmented design enables easy manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11036260B2Keyboard attachment to foldable device

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: displaying, on an information handling device, content, wherein the content is displayed across a first surface and a second surface of the information handling device; detecting, using a processor, attachment of a removable keyboard to one of: the first surface or the second surface; and adjusting, based on the detecting, a screen configuration of the content. Other aspects are described and claimed.