Modular Electronic Device Touch Interface Module Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular electronic devices require users to navigate complex graphical user interfaces to interact with and control hardware modules, leading to mental overhead and usability issues, especially when removing modules without proper ejection, which can result in data loss and errors.
Innovation Solution
A modular electronic device with a frame that includes input sensors and a controller to allow direct user interaction with modules via touch, enabling operation and removal without screen-based interfaces, using a frame controller to identify touched modules and manage data transfer and ejection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized screen-based graphical user interface is used to control hardware modules, then the system can manage multiple functions through a unified interface, but the user interaction becomes disconnected from the physical hardware, increasing mental overhead and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new intermediary layer between the user and the hardware modules - a touch-sensitive interface layer that directly maps to the physical module locations. This layer translates user touches on the screen into corresponding hardware module operations, bridging the disconnect between digital interface and physical hardware while maintaining the benefits of a centralized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or button-based direct hardware control with a digital touch-sensitive interface that visually maps to hardware locations. This substitution allows the system to maintain direct hardware control capabilities while using a more flexible, visually-guided digital interface that reduces mental overhead.
2Extent of automation
If users must navigate through multiple layers of screen-based applications to access hardware module functionality, then centralized software control is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-mapping hardware module locations to corresponding screen regions and pre-configuring the touch-sensitive interface to directly recognize and respond to touches on module representations. This eliminates the need for users to navigate through multiple application layers, as the hardware control functionality is immediately accessible through the touch interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the user interface into distinct regions that correspond to individual hardware modules, allowing each module to be controlled independently through its own designated screen area. This segmentation enables direct access to specific module functionality without requiring users to navigate through unified but nested application interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If purely mechanical locking mechanisms are used to secure modules, then modules can be easily removed and swapped, but the software does not have sufficient time to write data to memory and power down gracefully, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by detecting the removal motion of a module through the touch-sensitive interface or sensors before the module is fully detached. This early detection triggers the software to initiate data saving and power-down sequences in advance, ensuring that data integrity is maintained while still allowing for easy module removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of module removal in real-time. When a module begins to be removed, the system receives feedback about this motion and automatically responds by initiating graceful shutdown procedures, creating a closed-loop system that balances ease of removal with data protection.
4Extent of automation
If screen-based interfaces are required to indicate module ejection status, then software control is maintained, but the interaction becomes disconnected from physical hardware, increasing discoverability and usability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators such as color changes in the touch-sensitive display to indicate module status. Different colors or visual states directly correspond to different hardware conditions (e.g., module inserted, module removed, ejection in progress), making the status immediately detectable and intuitive without requiring users to interpret complex software interface states.
Data Source
AI summary
One example modular electronic device of the present disclosure includes a frame and a plurality of electronic modules which are respectively removably received at a plurality of bays formed by the frame. The modular electronic device can enable a user to directly operate, interact with, remove, or otherwise manipulate the electronic modules without requiring the user to navigate through or otherwise interact with a graphical user interface. In particular, the modular electronic device can enable the user to operate, remove, or otherwise interact with the electronic modules by simply touching or pressing a particular electronic module.