Gesture-Based Input Mode Switching for Touch Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users experience delays and frustration when switching between input modes on devices with touch screen or virtual keyboard interfaces due to the need to navigate through exit menus or buttons, leading to confusion and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with a sensor that detects directional hand gestures to identify and launch input modes, modifying the user interface and sensor settings accordingly, allowing seamless transitions between touch screen and virtual keyboard interfaces without requiring users to locate exit menus or buttons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users navigate through exit menus or buttons to switch between input modes, then the device can maintain structured input mode management, but user experience deteriorates due to delays and frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of switching between input modesVSAvoidtime required to switch between input modes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring hand gestures to correspond with specific input modes before the user needs to switch. When the user makes a hand gesture, the system immediately translates it to the corresponding input mode without requiring navigation through menus, thus eliminating the time loss associated with traditional mode switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of clicking buttons or navigating menus with a gesture-based interaction system. The sensor detects hand gestures and automatically triggers the corresponding input mode, substituting the traditional mechanical UI navigation with intuitive gesture recognition, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing switching time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the sensor continuously monitors for hand gestures, then input mode switching becomes seamless and instant, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseamlessness of input mode switchingVSAvoidenergy consumption of sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic action by activating the sensor in intervals or triggering it based on specific conditions (such as detecting hand presence). This periodic activation maintains the capability for seamless gesture-based switching while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system performs self-service by automatically detecting hand gestures and initiating the appropriate input mode without requiring continuous power consumption. The system activates the sensor only when needed (e.g., when a hand is detected or when gesture recognition is required), allowing seamless switching while optimizing energy usage by avoiding unnecessary continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9983785B2Input mode of a device

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A device to detect a directional hand gesture, identify an input mode of the device associated with the directional hand gesture to launch the input mode, modify a user interface rendered on a display component of the device based on the input mode, and modify a setting of the sensor based on whether the input mode includes a virtual keyboard.