Input Device Key Input Monitor and Relay Driver for Touchpad Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for notebook computers, such as those described in Patent Document 1, face issues with operability due to unintended clicks or pointer movements caused by accidental touchpad activation during keyboard input, where the inhibition state release is either too slow or too frequent, leading to erroneous operations.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a key input unit, a timer, and a relay driver that allows for the manual or automatic release of the touchpad's input inhibition state based on specific operation inputs, enabling smooth transition to touchpad use before the predetermined setting time elapses, thereby preventing erroneous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the setting time T1 is increased to prevent erroneous operations, then the reliability of preventing unintended clicks is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the operator cannot smoothly transition to touch pad input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the relay driver's output inhibition state adjustable and controllable. The system transitions from a fixed timer-based inhibition to a dynamic state that can be released either automatically after time T1 or manually earlier through specific operations (double-click, right-click, or key input), allowing the inhibition period to adapt to user needs while maintaining error prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of inhibition release timing from a fixed value (always after T1) to a variable state that can be released at different times based on user action. The relay driver's output inhibition state can be released early through specific operations, changing the temporal parameter of when inhibition ends from a constant to a conditional variable.
2Ease of operation
If the setting time T1 is decreased to enable faster transition to touch pad input, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because erroneous operations and unintended clicks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control over the inhibition state through the relay driver, which can maintain or release inhibition based on detected operations. This allows the inhibition duration to be dynamically adjusted - either maintaining full protection with longer T1 or releasing early when specific user actions are detected, balancing reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring operations on the touch pad surface (double-click, right-click, key input) and using this information to control the relay driver's inhibition state. The system receives feedback from user actions and adjusts the inhibition release timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that adapts to user intent.
3Reliability
If the timer-based automatic release is always used, then the reliability of preventing erroneous operations is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple monitoring and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The relay driver performs multiple functions: it acts as a switch for the touch pad, a timer controller, and an operation monitor. By making the relay driver multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining reliable error prevention through the combination of timer and operation-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device is provided. The input device includes a key input unit having a plurality of input keys and an input operation unit. A key input monitor monitors a key input to the key input unit. A timer measures a setting time upon the key input. A relay driver is operative to acquire and output an operation signal output from the input operation unit as a control signal and monitor the operation signal. The key input monitor is operative to initiate the timer when the key input to the key input unit is detected and set the relay driver to an output inhibition state. The relay driver is operative to release the output inhibition state such that the control signal is normally output when it is detected that the operation signal is a predetermined operation input within the setting time.