Moveable Display Keyboard Control via Position Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with moveable displays and keyboards face challenges in efficiently managing screen real estate when the keyboard is hidden or exposed, requiring innovative solutions to optimize user input and output functions.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device employs a touch-sensitive display and physical keyboard that are movable relative to each other, with sensors detecting their position to adjust settings and control modes, allowing for seamless transitions between hidden and exposed keyboard states, thereby optimizing screen usage without needing physical key input for setting adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the keyboard is made moveable relative to the display to optimize screen real estate, then screen usage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen usage efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is nested within the display assembly, allowing it to be stored in a recessed position when not in use and deployed when needed. This nesting arrangement enables the keyboard to occupy minimal space while providing full functionality, resolving the contradiction between optimizing screen real estate and increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard is designed with movable capabilities, allowing it to transition between hidden and exposed states relative to the display. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt its layout based on usage requirements, improving screen usage efficiency while managing complexity through controlled mobility rather than fixed multi-component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If sensors are added to detect keyboard position for automatic setting adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to automatically detect the keyboard's position and autonomously adjusts display settings without requiring manual user input. The device serves itself by monitoring its own state and making appropriate configuration changes, improving ease of operation while avoiding the need for complex manual control interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors provide real-time feedback on keyboard position to the control system, which then automatically adjusts settings based on this feedback. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables intuitive operation where the device responds automatically to its own state, improving ease of use while managing complexity through automated response rather than manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3239804B1Control of an electronic device including display and keyboard moveable relative to the display
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3239804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239804B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3239804B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of controlling an electronic device having a display moveable relative to a keyboard, between a first position in which the keyboard is exposed for use and a second position in which the keyboard is not exposed. The method includes, in response to detecting initiation of control of a position of an adjustable setting within a range, entering a control mode at the electronic device, and, in response to detecting movement of the display relative to the keyboard of the electronic device, adjusting the position of the adjustable setting within the range.