Electronic Device Keyboard Layout Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users connecting external keyboards to electronic devices face challenges due to mismatched language settings and unintuitive key arrangements, leading to confusion when inputting characters, as the device may display incorrect characters based on its default language rather than the language engraved on the keyboard.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a camera, display, communication interface, and processor that establishes a connection with an external keyboard, obtains an image of the keyboard, sets the key arrangement based on the image, and generates information corresponding to key input signals, allowing for accurate character input by matching the key layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user connects an external keyboard with a different language layout to the electronic device, then the user can access additional language input capabilities, but the displayed characters will not match the keyboard layout causing user confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanguage input capabilityVSAvoidcharacter display accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing an image of the external keyboard and automatically identifying its layout and language before the user attempts to type. This pre-identification ensures that the correct language mapping is established in advance, preventing the mismatch between keyboard layout and displayed characters that causes user confusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by automatically detecting the keyboard layout and configuring the appropriate language settings without requiring manual user intervention. The electronic device independently identifies the keyboard type through image processing and autonomously sets the correct language mapping, eliminating the need for users to manually configure language settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the user manually selects language settings to match the external keyboard, then character display accuracy improves, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter display accuracyVSAvoidlanguage selection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates manual language selection by implementing self-service through automatic keyboard layout detection. The electronic device independently captures an image of the connected keyboard, identifies its layout characteristics, and automatically configures the appropriate language settings, completely removing the time users would otherwise spend manually selecting and configuring language options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical manual configuration process with an automated optical recognition system. Instead of requiring users to manually navigate through language settings menus, the system uses image processing and pattern recognition to automatically detect the keyboard layout and configure the appropriate language mapping, substituting automated vision-based technology for manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the electronic device provides a list of languages for manual selection, then the user can choose the correct language, but it becomes difficult to identify which key arrangement corresponds to the connected external keyboard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanguage selection capabilityVSAvoidkeyboard layout identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and selection with automated optical recognition. Instead of requiring users to visually compare keyboard layouts and manually select from a list, the system uses image processing technology to automatically capture, analyze, and identify the connected keyboard's layout characteristics, eliminating the difficulty of matching physical keyboards to software language options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary image processing layer between the physical keyboard and the language selection process. By capturing an image of the keyboard and using pattern recognition to identify its layout, the system creates an intermediate representation that automatically bridges the gap between the physical keyboard configuration and the appropriate software language setting, eliminating the need for direct user comparison and selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11188227B2Electronic device and key input method therefor

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device and a key input method using an external input device are provided. The electronic device includes a camera; a display; a communication interface; a memory; and a processor. The processor is configured to establish an electrical connection to an external keyboard; obtain an image of the external keyboard; set a key arrangement for the external keyboard based on the obtained image; and generate information corresponding to a key input signal received from the external keyboard based on the set key arrangement.