Keyboard With Multiple Touchpad Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer devices often lack intuitive and convenient input options, particularly for users who prefer not to use touch-sensitive displays, as traditional keyboards with single touchpad areas can be less efficient and require users to lift their hands to access input gestures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple touchpad areas positioned at various sides of a keyboard, which can be separate or integrated, allowing for enhanced input options and gestures, including the ability to switch them on and off independently, providing a more intuitive and convenient input method compared to touch-sensitive displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional keyboard with a single touchpad area is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the input efficiency decreases and requires users to lift their hands to access input gestures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput efficiencyVSAvoidkeyboard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touchpad area is divided into multiple independent touch-sensitive zones positioned at different locations on the keyboard. Each zone can be independently activated and controlled, allowing users to perform input gestures without lifting their hands from the keyboard surface. This segmentation enables parallel input operations across multiple zones, significantly improving input efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall keyboard structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple touchpad areas are added to the keyboard, then input options and gesture capabilities are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput optionsVSAvoidkeyboard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple touchpad zones are integrated into the keyboard structure, where each zone can perform various input functions including typing, gesturing, and selecting. The zones can be independently configured and activated based on user needs, providing versatile input options without requiring separate dedicated devices. This multi-functionality approach enhances adaptability while keeping the overall device structure unified and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If touch-sensitive display is used instead of multiple touchpad areas, then the display area is reduced, but the input intuitiveness improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput intuitivenessVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Touch-sensitive capabilities are applied locally at specific zones on the keyboard surface rather than across the entire display area. Each touchpad zone is positioned to correspond with specific keyboard regions, providing intuitive input gestures localized to where users naturally rest their hands. This preserves the full display area while enhancing input intuitiveness through strategically placed touch-sensitive zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10114485B2Keyboard and touchpad areas

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

First and second touchpad areas are located at first and second sides of a keyboard.