Rear Keyboard Ghosting for Handheld Display Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld computing devices face space constraints due to physical keyboards that reduce display area and increase device size and weight when folded or slid into operational positions.
Innovation Solution
A data input device with a keyboard on the rearward face and a display on the forward face, featuring a virtual keyboard that is 'ghosted' on the display, allowing users to input data without encroaching on the display area, and maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical keyboard is incorporated into the handheld device, then data input capability is improved, but the display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is relocated from the front display area to the rear surface of the device, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to resolve the spatial conflict. This allows the full front surface to be dedicated to display while the rear surface accommodates the physical keyboard, eliminating the trade-off between keyboard presence and display area.
2Ease of operation
If a fold-out or slidable physical keyboard is provided, then data input capability is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is segmented from the main device body and integrated as a separate layer on the rear surface. This segmentation allows the keyboard to be a thin, lightweight component rather than a bulky fold-out or slidable mechanism, reducing overall device weight while maintaining data input functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a fold-out or slidable physical keyboard is provided, then data input capability is improved, but the space required for keyboard operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By placing the keyboard on the rear surface rather than integrating it into the front display area, the keyboard operation space is separated from the display space. Users can operate the keyboard on the rear surface without encroaching on the front display area, effectively utilizing different spatial zones for different functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A data input device is disclosed herein. The input device includes a body having a rearward face and a forward face. Provided on the forward face is a display, and provided on the rearward face is a keyboard. The input device is configured to display a ghost image of the keyboard on the display to allow the user to locate the keys on the rearward face of the input device without having to turn the device around. The input device allows the user to operate a keyboard on the rear of the input device to increase the usable surface area of the display without having to include the extra bulk and size associated with a separate keyboard located adjacent the display.