Hybrid Key-Touch Interface for Single-Stroke Input Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices do not effectively combine mechanical keys and touch-sensitive surfaces to create a natural input method that leverages the advantages of both, resulting in inferior operational feedback compared to mechanical keys.
Innovation Solution
A user interface apparatus comprising mechanical keys and touch-sensitive surfaces, where the two are adjacent or overlapping, allowing for combined input operations that include touching or moving over the touch-sensitive surface while pressing a mechanical key, enabling recognition of input operations by a processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only touch-sensitive surfaces are used for input, then device flexibility and space utilization are improved, but operational feedback quality deteriorates compared to mechanical keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical keys and touch-sensitive surfaces into a single integrated input interface. The mechanical keys provide tactile feedback and operational satisfaction, while the touch-sensitive surface extends input capabilities beyond the key areas, allowing for gestures and additional input zones without compromising the feedback quality provided by the mechanical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both mechanical keys and touch-sensitive surfaces are provided separately, then input method versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical keys and touch-sensitive surfaces are merged into a unified interface where the touch-sensitive surface serves as both the background layer and the active input area around the mechanical keys. This integration allows the system to recognize combined operations (touching + pressing) without requiring separate processing paths, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch-sensitive surface performs multiple functions: it acts as the input surface for mechanical key detection, provides additional input zones around the keys, and enables gesture-based input. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall device complexity while expanding input capabilities.
3Productivity
If combined operations touching and pressing are recognized in a single stroke, then input efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured to recognize the spatial and temporal relationship between touch-sensitive surface contact and mechanical key pressing as a unified input gesture. By establishing the recognition logic in advance, the processor can efficiently detect combined operations without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus maintaining high input speed while managing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface apparatus for an electronic device. The apparatus comprises: one or more mechanical keys; one or more touch sensitive surfaces, the mechanical keys being adjacent to the touch sensitive surfaces; and a processor for receiving one or more user input operations performed on the mechanical keys and the touch sensitive surfaces, the input operation comprising a combined operation combining touching the touch sensitive surface with pressing at least one mechanical key, in a single stroke.