Operating System Mode Adaptation for Hybrid Device Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bimodal operating systems for hybrid devices only support two operational modes, clamshell and tablet, failing to accommodate newly defined modes like stand and tent, which can lead to an inappropriate user experience due to unsupported physical configurations.
Innovation Solution
The system determines the physical orientation of a hybrid device using sensors and modifies the bimodal operating system to enable additional operational modes by selectively altering functions, such as disabling auto-screen rotation and repurposing buttons, to support stand and tent configurations without requiring a complete redesign of the operating system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system uses sensor-based mode switching to support only clamshell and tablet modes, then the system complexity remains low, but the adaptability to new physical configurations (tent and stand modes) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system is modified to universally support multiple physical configurations (clamshell, tablet, tent, and stand modes) through a single unified mode detection mechanism. The sensor input handling is enhanced to recognize various hinge angles and device orientations, allowing one operating system instance to adapt to all configurations without requiring separate mode-specific implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating system introduces dynamic mode switching capability where the operational mode is not fixed but changes in real-time based on detected physical configuration. The system continuously monitors sensor inputs and automatically transitions between modes (clamshell, tablet, tent, stand) as the device physical state changes, making the system behavior adaptive rather than static.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system is redesigned to support tent and stand modes natively, then the adaptability improves, but the cost and time of redesign increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the operating system with detection logic for multiple physical configurations before deployment. The sensor input handling is pre-programmed to recognize various hinge angles and device orientations corresponding to tent and stand modes, allowing the system to immediately support these configurations without requiring post-deployment redesign or updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating system utilizes parameter changes in sensor readings to differentiate between various physical configurations. By monitoring changes in hinge angle parameters, device orientation parameters, and sensor input values, the system automatically identifies when the device is in tent or stand mode and adjusts its operational characteristics accordingly, enabling mode support through parameter-based detection rather than structural redesign.
3Ease of operation
If the operating system maintains fixed functions for each mode, then the reliability of mode-specific operations is high, but the ease of operation across different physical configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor inputs continuously provide information about the current physical configuration, and the system responds by adjusting its operational mode. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the operating system reliably detects the actual device state (clamshell, tablet, tent, or stand mode) and adapts its functions accordingly, maintaining both reliability of detection and ease of operation across all configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment provides an information handling device, including: a display panel and a base component connected by a hinge between the display panel and the base component, the hinge supporting a tent physical configuration and a stand physical configuration; one or more processors; an operating system; and instructions accessible to the one or more processors that when executed provide one or more actions comprising: determining via a first input regarding physical orientation of the information handling device that the operating system is to be operated in a first operational mode that is not supportive of the tent physical configuration or the stand physical configuration; operating the operating system in the first operational mode; and selectively altering a function of the first operational mode after receiving an additional input to support one or more of the tent physical configuration and the stand physical configuration. Other aspects are described and claimed.