Input Device Prioritization for Inadvertent Touch Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic devices with multiple input devices often experience inadvertent inputs, such as cursor errors, due to the inability of conventional solutions to effectively filter out errant inputs from touchpads and buttons, especially for left-handed users or those using stylus inputs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intelligent filtering system that prioritizes input devices based on detected patterns, deactivating errant inputs from touchpads or buttons when a stylus is in use, and reactivating them after a predetermined time, with user preferences and history considered to optimize filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a palmcheck filter is used to filter out inadvertent inputs based on contact size, then some inadvertent inputs are filtered, but the filter is not sensitive enough to remove all inadvertent inputs and does not filter button clicks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the filtering parameters from simple contact size (palmcheck) to a comprehensive set of parameters including contact location, contact size, contact duration, and input pattern analysis. This allows the system to distinguish between inadvertent inputs and intentional inputs more accurately, while also identifying which input device the user intends to use based on the pattern of inputs received
2Productivity
If multiple input devices are kept active simultaneously, then users can switch between input modes quickly, but inadvertent inputs from multiple devices cause cursor errors and mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic input device prioritization where the system automatically adjusts which input devices are active based on real-time detection of user intent. When the system detects that the user is likely using one input device (e.g., stylus), it automatically deactivates or prioritizes that device while suppressing others (e.g., touchpad), and can quickly switch back when the pattern changes. This dynamic adjustment maintains both quick switching capability and input accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors input patterns from multiple devices and uses this feedback to determine user intent. By analyzing the timing, location, and sequence of inputs, the system provides feedback to itself about which input device the user intends to use, and automatically adjusts the active input devices accordingly to prevent inadvertent inputs while maintaining quick switching capability
3Reliability
If manual toggling of input devices is required to prevent inadvertent inputs, then input accuracy improves, but user convenience decreases due to the need for manual switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the electronic device automatically detects user intent and manages input device prioritization without requiring manual user intervention. The system monitors input patterns, determines which input device the user intends to use, and automatically activates or suppresses appropriate devices. This eliminates the need for manual toggling while maintaining input accuracy, as the system serves itself by making intelligent decisions based on detected input patterns
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and program storage device are provided for preventing inadvertent inputs from a user while utilizing an electronic device having multiple user input devices. The instant invention broadly contemplates prioritizing an input device to the exclusion of other input devices available to the user based upon an intelligently designed prioritization scheme. The prioritization scheme disables the other input devices for a period of time to permit the user to provide inputs from a prioritized user input device.