Mobile Device Translation with Positional Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices lack an efficient method for facilitating human language translation that provides intuitive positional feedback, making it difficult for users to seamlessly translate and respond in different languages during interactions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile electronic device that uses positional feedback by displaying a soft keyboard and translating text when rotated or moved, allowing users to enter and respond in different languages by changing the device's orientation, enabling two-way translation without manual language selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual language selection is required for translation, then translation functionality is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps needed to switch languages
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects the user's intended language based on physical orientation sensors and compass data, eliminating the need for manual language selection. The system serves itself by autonomously determining which language interface to display based on the device's spatial configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from manual language selection to automatic detection based on physical orientation. By monitoring changes in device orientation, position, and compass direction, the system dynamically adjusts the displayed language interface without requiring user input.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple language interfaces are always displayed, then language versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional display elements
Solution Approach 1:
The interface dynamically adjusts which language keyboard and translation options are displayed based on the device's current physical orientation and detected position. Rather than statically displaying all language options, the system adaptively shows only the relevant language interface for the current orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different language interfaces are activated in different physical orientations of the device. Each orientation has its own designated language, creating a localized quality where the interface properties change based on spatial position rather than being uniformly distributed.
3Ease of operation
If positional feedback is implemented for language switching, then ease of operation improves through intuitive control, but device complexity increases due to sensor integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (buttons, menus) with sensor-based automatic detection. Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compass sensors detect physical orientation and position changes, substituting mechanical user actions with automated sensor-driven interface switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile electronic device has a touch sensitive screen and an accelerometer. A translator is to translate a word or phrase that is in a first human language and that is entered via a first virtual keyboard displayed on the touch sensitive screen, into a second human language. A translator is to cause the touch sensitive screen to display the translated word or phrase and a second virtual keyboard having characters in the second human language, in response to the accelerometer detecting a change in the physical orientation of the device or movement of the device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.