Linked Electronic Devices with Overlapped Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face complexity in wireless data sharing, making it cumbersome and difficult to seamlessly transfer content between devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows electronic devices to communicate wirelessly and operate in a linked mode by overlapping displays, using sensors and control circuitry to determine relative positions and facilitate seamless content sharing through gestures like dragging and dropping, while using optical measurements and algorithms for precise position determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless data sharing between stand-alone devices is implemented, then data sharing capability is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple stand-alone electronic devices into a linked system where devices operate cooperatively. By combining display resources and input capabilities across devices, the system enables seamless data sharing while presenting a unified user interface that masks the underlying complexity. The linked mode allows devices to function as a single extended system rather than requiring complex manual configuration for each sharing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a system-level coordination mechanism that acts as an intermediary between individual devices. This mediator manages the linked operations, handling pointer coordination, content transfer protocols, and display synchronization automatically. Users interact with simple gestures while the intermediary system manages the complex wireless communication and data synchronization in the background.
2Productivity
If devices operate in linked mode with display overlap detection, then content sharing efficiency is improved, but position determination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where each device autonomously determines its own position relative to overlapping displays using onboard sensors and cameras. Devices perform self-calibration by detecting display edges and calculating relative positions without requiring manual configuration or complex external measurement equipment. The binary search algorithm enables automatic position determination through iterative visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with optical and sensor-based detection methods. Instead of using physical alignment mechanisms or manual position input, the system uses camera-based visual detection and sensor data to automatically determine display overlap geometry. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical fields simplifies the user interaction while enabling precise position determination through software algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for position determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing device components multi-functional by using cameras and sensors originally designed for other purposes (photo capture, environmental sensing) for position determination. The same camera used for photography serves dual purposes: capturing images for position calculation and detecting display overlap geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated position sensing hardware, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of existing sensors to enable position determination. By adjusting camera exposure settings, focus distances, and sensor sensitivity thresholds, the system optimizes these components for geometric measurement tasks. The binary search algorithm dynamically adjusts visual output parameters to facilitate precise edge detection and position calculation using standard display refresh rates and brightness levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include electronic devices that communicate wirelessly. When positioned so that a pair of devices overlap or are near to one another, the devices may operate in a linked mode. During linked operations, devices may communicate wirelessly while input gathering and content displaying operations are shared among the devices. One or both of a pair of devices may have sensors. An orientation sensor, motion sensor, optical sensor, and/or other sensors may be used in identifying conditions in which to enter the linked mode and to identify a region where displays in the pair of devices overlap.