Portable Device Tap Processing for Text Entry Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices with MEMS sensors often generate unintended inputs, such as double tapping on the device casing, which can trigger unwanted actions during text entry, interfering with the user's intended input.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where MEMS sensor interrupts are ignored during text-entry mode in portable devices, while being processed in other modes to prevent extraneous actions, using a processor and physical perturbation sensors to differentiate between display and body portion taps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If MEMS sensor interrupts are processed in all modes, then device responsiveness to physical taps is improved, but accidental unwanted actions during text entry occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the responsiveness of MEMS sensor interrupts based on the current operational mode. During text entry mode, the system disables or ignores MEMS interrupts to prevent accidental actions, while in other modes (such as when a different application is active), the system processes MEMS interrupts normally to maintain device responsiveness. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the sensor processing behavior to the contextual needs of different operational states.
2Reliability
If MEMS sensor interrupts are ignored during text entry, then input accuracy is improved, but device responsiveness in other modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to MEMS sensor interrupts based on the operational context. Specifically, during text entry mode, MEMS interrupts are filtered out or ignored to ensure high input accuracy. In contrast, during other operational modes, MEMS interrupts are processed normally to maintain full device responsiveness. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate level of sensor processing to each operational context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical taps on device body are responded to, then device functionality is improved, but extraneous actions during text entry are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the text entry mode detection and interrupt filtering logic) that mediates between the physical tap detection and the action execution. When text entry mode is detected, the intermediary blocks or ignores the MEMS sensor interrupts, preventing extraneous actions from being generated. In other modes, the intermediary allows the interrupts to pass through, maintaining full device functionality. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by selectively filtering harmful inputs while preserving useful functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces accidental actions during text entry by inhibiting unwanted responses to physical taps on the device body when a text-entry interface is active, enhancing user input accuracy and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a physical perturbation sensor disposed within the housing, wherein the physical perturbation sensor is configured to sense one or more physical taps by the user on a portion of the body portion
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for reducing extraneous input in a portable device programmed to perform the method includes displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via a display to a user of the portable device, receiving with the portable device, one or more taps on a portion of the portable device other than the display, wherein the one or more taps is associated with a first action, while displaying with the portable device, an interface other than a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes performing with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps, and while displaying with the portable device, a text entry interface via the display to the user, the method includes inhibiting with the portable device, the first action in response to the one or more taps.