Automatic Input Interface Switching for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with changeable display units, such as PDAs and tablets, face inconvenience and memory waste due to the need for manual switching between virtual and physical input interfaces, with the physical interface being shielded and the virtual interface's program remaining in memory even when not in use.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with automatic switching input interfaces, utilizing a changeable display unit, storage unit, and embedded control unit that sends trigger signals to load or remove the corresponding program of either the virtual or physical input interface based on the display unit's position, allowing seamless switching without user intervention and optimizing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the virtual input interface program is loaded into memory at boot-up, then the virtual input interface can be rapidly executed when needed, but the memory resource is wasted when the physical input interface is used and the booting time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic loading of the virtual input interface program into memory based on the actual position of the display unit. When the display unit is in a position where the physical keyboard is shielded, the virtual input interface program is loaded into memory; when the physical keyboard is accessible, the program is removed from memory. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making memory occupation conditional rather than static, thus reducing waste while maintaining rapid execution capability when needed.
2Speed
If the virtual input interface program is loaded into memory at boot-up, then the virtual input interface can be rapidly executed when needed, but the booting time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the virtual input interface program in the storage unit (such as hard disk or flash memory) during system initialization, but not loading it into the active memory unit unless needed. The embedded control unit monitors the display unit position and triggers loading only when the virtual interface is required, thus avoiding the booting time penalty while maintaining the capability for rapid execution when the display position requires virtual input.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the physical input interface is shielded by the display unit, then the device can be used as a tablet computer, but the user must manually enable the virtual input interface which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by embedding a control unit that automatically monitors the display unit position and triggers the appropriate input interface based on the detected state. When the display unit shields the physical keyboard, the control unit automatically loads and activates the virtual input interface program without requiring any manual intervention from the user. This eliminates the inconvenient manual switching operation while maintaining adaptability to different usage modes.
4Productivity
If the virtual input interface program remains in memory when not in use, then switching is rapid, but memory resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by continuously monitoring the display unit position through the embedded control unit and periodically loading or removing the virtual input interface program from memory based on the current state. This periodic check and conditional loading ensures that the program is present in memory only during the periods when it is actually needed, thus maintaining rapid switching capability during those periods while minimizing memory occupation during other periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device with automatic switching input interfaces and a switching method thereof. The electronic device supports an Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI), and includes a display unit, a storage unit, a memory unit, and an embedded controller. The display unit can be changed to a first position or a second position, and sends a signal to an embedded control unit when the display unit is at different positions. A management program running in the electronic device queries the ACPI and the embedded control unit to check the position and state of the display unit, so as to automatically load and run a corresponding program of a virtual input interface or a physical input interface into the memory unit, and remove the other program from the memory unit at the same time.