Pivoting Laptop Input Surfaces for Typing and Free-Hand Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices, such as laptops, often require multiple separate devices for typing and free-hand input, which can be cumbersome for mobile use.

Innovation Solution

A laptop-style electronic device with a housing comprising a pivotably coupled user input device and touch sensitive surface, allowing both to be selectively used for input depending on the device's position, with a processor controlling activation/deactivation based on the pivot position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for typing and free-hand input, then input functionality is provided, but device portability and mobility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoiddevice mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a keyboard and a touch-sensitive surface into a single integrated device housing. The keyboard is positioned on a first surface while the touch-sensitive surface is positioned on a second surface, allowing both typing and free-hand input functionalities to coexist in one device, eliminating the need to carry multiple separate input devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides multiple input methods (keyboard typing and touch-sensitive surface gestures/writing) within a single device. The processor can distinguish between different input types and process them appropriately, making the device universal for both text input and graphical input tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If both keyboard and touch-sensitive surface are always active, then all input functionalities are available, but processing complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically activates or deactivates input processing based on the current operational mode. The processor can selectively enable keyboard input processing when the keyboard is the active input device, and enable touch-sensitive surface input processing when that surface is the active input device, rather than continuously processing both types of input simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors or device state detection to determine which input device is currently in use or should be active. Based on this feedback, the processor adjusts which input processing routines are active, optimizing performance and reducing unnecessary processing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12386397B2Electronic devices with touch sensitive surfaces and user input devices

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Example electronic devices are disclosed herein. In an example, the electronic device includes a housing including a plurality of portions that are pivotably coupled together. The plurality of portions including a first portion including a display panel, a second portion including a user input device, and a third portion including a touch sensitive surface. The second portion is pivotably coupled between the first portion and the third portion. The third portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to cover the user input device with the touch sensitive surface.