Operation Device Mutual Exclusion Control for Accidental Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices, such as electronic books, computer input devices, and portable terminals, face issues with erroneous operations due to the placement of input keys and operation pads on the front or back sides, leading to accidental activations during use.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring a first operation device on the display surface side and a second operation device on the opposite side, both within the range of a user's hand, with a control circuit that enables operation of only one device at a time to prevent accidental activations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operation devices are arranged on the front or back side of the device main body, then the device can be operated, but erroneous operations occur during hand holding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidoperation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operation device is divided into a first operation device on the front surface and a second operation device on the back surface, with the control circuit enabling only one at a time based on which surface is being operated, preventing erroneous operations while maintaining ease of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit dynamically changes the functional state of operation devices based on real-time detection of user interaction, enabling the disabled device only when the other device is being operated, creating a dynamic adaptive system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple operation devices are arranged within hand movable range, then the device is easily held and operated, but accidental activation of operation devices occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand holding convenienceVSAvoiderroneous operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The operation devices are segmented into functionally independent units with mutual exclusion control, where the control circuit prevents simultaneous operation and enables only the appropriate device based on the surface being touched

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the operation devices and the user input, filtering and mediating the operation signals to ensure only intended operations are executed while preventing accidental activations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7705799B2Data processing device, data processing method, and electronic device

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 LENOVO INNOVATIONS LTD (HONG KONG)

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device including: a device main body that processes data; a display device arranged in the device main body to display the data; a first operation device arranged in the device main body on a display surface side of the display device within a movable range of fingers of a hand for holding the device main body; a second operation device arranged in the device main body on an opposite side of the display surface within the movable range of the fingers of the hand for holding the device main body; and a control circuit that causes, only when one of the first operation device and the second operation device is being operated, the other to function.