Input Fusion for Human Interface Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional human interface devices (HIDs) require users to complete partial input actions using the same mode and device, leading to increased complexity and time, especially when additional information is needed to finalize actions like file sharing or transfer, which can be cumbersome and require learning complex menus.

Innovation Solution

The method combines touch and voice inputs to complete partial user actions, where voice commands provide supplemental data to determine the specifics of actions such as file sharing or transfer, allowing the system to finalize actions without additional touch inputs, using a processor to integrate and process these inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users complete partial input actions using the same mode and device, then input precision is maintained, but operation time increases and user interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput precisionVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple input modalities (touch input and voice input) into a unified input system. When a user initiates an action with touch input, the system merges this with subsequent voice commands to complete the action, reducing the time required compared to using sequential touch inputs alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal input processing framework that accepts and processes multiple types of inputs (touch, voice, and combinations thereof) through a common interface. This multi-functional approach allows the same input system to handle diverse input modes without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If users complete partial input actions using the same mode and device, then input consistency is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput consistencyVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges touch input and voice input processing into a unified framework, where the system intelligently combines these input types rather than treating them as separate complex systems. This reduces overall UI complexity while maintaining consistent input handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary input processing layer that mediates between different input devices (touch screen, microphone) and the core application logic. This intermediary layer standardizes input handling and prevents complexity from propagating through the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If additional information is collected through another input device, then action completion accuracy improves, but input processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaction completion accuracyVSAvoidinput processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal input processing framework that handles multiple input types (touch, voice) through a common architecture. This multi-functional design improves action completion accuracy by gathering information from multiple sources while keeping processing complexity manageable through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3073368B1Human interface device input fusion
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP3073368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3073368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3073368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: accepting, at a first input device of an electronic device, a first user input for an object resident on the electronic device; partially completing, using a processor, a user action based on the first user input; accepting, at another type of input device of the electronic device, a user input associated with the first user input for the object; combining, using a processor, the first user input for the object and the user input; and completing, using a processor, the user input action for the object based on the combined first user input and the user input. Other aspects are described and claimed herein.