Portable Device Navigation Interface for External Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable devices face challenges in providing a convenient and accurate user interface for controlling external devices, especially when mobility is required, as existing technologies often result in inefficient input methods and unnecessary pointer shifts.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for transmitting user input that includes detecting navigating inputs, switching to a user input mode by displaying input boxes, and transmitting user inputs through a portable device connected to an external device, which minimizes pointer shifts and allows for simultaneous input from multiple interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a portable device is used to control an external device, then mobility is improved, but user interface convenience deteriorates due to small screen size and input difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportable device weightVSAvoiduser interface convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the input interface of the external device with the portable device's display. The portable device displays input boxes and interfaces that are originally meant for the external device, allowing users to input data on the portable device's screen while the external device processes the input. This combination resolves the contradiction by maintaining mobility while providing a convenient input interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device acts as an intermediary between the user and the external device. It receives user input through its display and input mechanisms, then transmits this input to the external device for processing. This mediator role allows the system to enjoy the mobility benefits of the portable device while utilizing the external device's processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If input boxes are displayed on the external device, then input accuracy is improved, but pointer operation complexity increases due to frequent pointer shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput accuracyVSAvoidpointer operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the input interface from the external device's display space to the portable device's display space. By displaying input boxes on the portable device's screen, the system changes the spatial dimension where input occurs, eliminating the need for users to shift pointers between different areas of the external device's display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of displaying input boxes on the external device and requiring users to interact with them directly, the patent inverts the approach by displaying the same input boxes on the portable device. This reversal allows users to complete all input operations on one device without needing to shift pointers across multiple displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If multiple input interfaces are provided on the portable device, then input efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device's display serves multiple functions: it displays navigation information for controlling the external device, presents input boxes for data entry, and provides visual feedback for user actions. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high input efficiency without adding physical complexity, as the same display component handles multiple tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2917823B1Portable device and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2917823B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2917823B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2917823B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A portable device which is capable of communicating with an external device and a control method thereof are disclosed. A method for transmitting user input of a portable device includes displaying navigation interface in a navigation mode for controlling an external device which is connected with the portable device, wherein the external device displays displayable content and the navigation interface is for navigating the displayable content which includes at least one input box, displaying the at least one input box with the navigation interface as an indicator which indicates capability of mode switching from the navigation mode to a user input mode, wherein the at least one input box is extracted from the displayable content of the external device, initiating the user input mode when user input for mode switching is detected, and transmitting user input which is inputted in the displayed input box.