Multi-Surface Touch Interface for Laptop Usability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laptop computers face usability challenges due to size constraints, which lead to the omission of user interface buttons, necessitating the use of single keys for dual inputs, complicating user interaction and limiting access to features.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating additional touch screens, such as a touch surface display and a touch bar display, to provide additional touch input surfaces that can display contextual information and enable quick access to various features and functions, enhancing usability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional touch screens are incorporated to provide more input surfaces, then user interaction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by placing touch screens on multiple surfaces of the housing (front surface, back surface, and side surfaces) rather than just one flat plane. This spatial distribution of touch interfaces allows users to interact with the device from different orientations and angles, effectively adding dimensional depth to the user interaction experience while managing the complexity through strategic placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Each touch screen surface is designed to serve multiple functions - displaying information, receiving touch inputs, and providing contextual controls. The touch bar display on the side surface can display media controls, communication options, or system status depending on the active application, allowing a single component to fulfill multiple operational roles and reducing the need for separate dedicated controls.
2Productivity
If multiple touch screens are added to enable quick access to features, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented across multiple touch screen surfaces, with each surface dedicated to specific types of interactions. The front touch screen handles primary applications, while side touch bars provide quick access to media controls, communication functions, or system settings. This segmentation allows users to access different feature sets simultaneously on different surfaces, improving productivity without requiring a single overwhelming interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch bar displays on side surfaces pre-display frequently used controls and quick-access functions based on the current application context. For example, when a media player is active, the side touch bar immediately displays playback controls without requiring the user to navigate through menus, enabling preliminary access to common functions before they are even needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, a method of operating the electronic device and a laptop computing device are disclosed. The electronic device includes a housing with a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, a keyboard positioned on a portion of the second surface. A primary display positioned on the first surface. A touch surface display positioned on a second portion of the second surface. A touch bar display positioned on the third surface. The electronic device further includes a processor that is configured to display a first set of content on the touch surface display. The processor is also configured to receive a first touch input on the touch surface display, the first touch input is associated with a portion of the displayed first set of content. In response to receiving the first touch input on the touch surface display, the processor is configured to perform a first function.