Integrated Touch Keyboard with Dynamic Layout and Projector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional human-computer interface devices, such as keyboards and touch pads, have separate and independent components that occupy excessive space, making them inefficient for portable devices, and existing solutions like virtual keyboards and projectors lack comprehensive data input and touch capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A 2-in-1 touch-keyboard device, known as the 'magic keyboard,' which embeds a keyboard within a touch pad, providing a continuous touch-tracking area for both data entry and cursor control, and a 'smart keyboard' that integrates a touch pad, projector, and virtual human-computer interface to offer enhanced data entry and display capabilities within a small footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate keyboards and touch pads are used, then data input and cursor control functions are provided, but the device occupies excessive space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata input and cursor control functionsVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the keyboard and touch pad into a single integrated device where the keyboard surface itself functions as the touch pad. The keyboard structure is designed to detect touch inputs directly on the key surfaces, eliminating the need for a separate touch pad component and reducing overall device footprint while maintaining both data input and cursor control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a data input device through key presses and a touch pad for cursor control through direct touch on the keyboard surface. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate devices, addressing the space constraint while providing comprehensive input capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If virtual keyboards are displayed on touch screens, then space is minimized, but a major portion of the screen is sacrificed for keyboard display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen spaceVSAvoiddata entry efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of displaying a virtual keyboard on a screen, the patent uses a physical keyboard structure that directly serves as the input interface. The keyboard is integrated into the device housing rather than being rendered as a graphical overlay, eliminating the need to sacrifice screen real estate for keyboard display while maintaining efficient physical touch input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If a physical mini-keyboard is included in cellular telephones, then data entry is facilitated, but the user must switch between touch screen and keyboard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry capabilityVSAvoidswitching time between interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the keyboard and touch pad functions into a single unified interface. The keyboard surface itself is sensitive to touch inputs, allowing users to perform both data entry and cursor control without switching between separate interfaces. This integration eliminates the time loss associated with switching between touch screen and physical keyboard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If full surface area touch-tracking is provided, then cursor control is enhanced, but keyboard functionality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch-tracking capabilityVSAvoidkeyboard function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines full surface area touch-tracking with keyboard functionality by designing the keyboard keys themselves as touch-sensitive elements. Each key can detect touch inputs for both character input and cursor control, while the entire keyboard surface maintains touch-tracking capability. This integration allows both functions to coexist without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8432362B2Keyboards and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2013.04.30 ICE COMP

AI summary

An integrated keyboard includes a touch pad and a dynamic keyboard embedded in an area of the touch pad. The touch pad, which may provide a transparent surface to allow the keyboard to be visible, provides motion tracking in areas around the periphery of the keyboard and may be configured into many operating modes. For example, virtual touchable buttons may be configured in the periphery of the keyboard. The keyboard may be provided as a dynamic keyboard with various layouts. A keyboard protector may be provided for each layout, with printed symbols for the keys under the layout. The integrated keyboard may also include a mini-projector to allow projection of a large image on a surface and a virtual Human Interface Device (HID) system to facilitate data input. With the input capabilities of the touch pad and the keyboard, the projector may be controlled in many additional ways not available in conventional projectors that are controlled by a few buttons. The virtual HID may provide motion tracking. The integrated keyboard may interface with a master/slave device, such as a slate type device. A customized case tightly integrates the integrated keyboard with the master/slave device.