Rotating Protective Case with Integrated Controls for Tablet Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing devices, especially those with slate form factors like tablets and smartphones, face limitations in user interaction when used for gaming and other applications due to the lack of dedicated hardware controls, which can hinder intuitive interaction compared to dedicated gaming devices.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a protective case that includes controls accessible by a user, allowing for rotational movement and removably connected via magnetism, providing additional input options while protecting the display and enabling interaction with the device in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective case is added to protect the display, then display protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective case with input controls by integrating buttons, knobs, or other input mechanisms directly into the protective case structure. This allows the protective case to serve dual purposes: protecting the display and providing user input capabilities, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving both protection and interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a protective barrier for the display and an input device for user interaction. By embedding controls within the protective case, the system eliminates the need for separate input devices, reducing complexity while maintaining both protection and usability.
2Ease of operation
If controls are added to the protective case, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines protective functionality with input control functionality into a single integrated component. The protective case incorporates physical controls such as buttons, knobs, or touch-sensitive elements that allow users to interact with the computing device while the case itself provides protection, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously protects the display and provides user input capabilities. This universality allows users to interact with the device through the protective case itself, improving operational ease while avoiding the need for separate input devices that would increase overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protective case allows rotational movement, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements into the protective case, allowing it to rotate or move relative to the computing device. This dynamic capability enables the protective case to adapt to different usage scenarios and user preferences, providing versatility in handling options while maintaining a relatively simple structure through controlled movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case is designed as a separable or movable component that can rotate or adjust its position relative to the computing device. This segmentation allows the protective case to provide multiple handling options and adapt to different use cases, such as protecting the display during transport or providing access to controls during use, without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.
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
Enhances user interaction by providing a range of accessible controls, mimicking game controller functionality, thus expanding the device's usability beyond touchscreen limitations, while also protecting the display and offering versatile handling options.
Implementation Method 1
The connection portion is configured to provide a removable physical connection to a computing device
Data Source
AI summary
Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion, protective case, and one or more controls. The connection portion is configured to provide a removable physical connection to a computing device. The protective case is coupled to the connection portion and configured to support rotational movement of the protective case in relation to the computing device when the connection portion is physically connected to the computing device. The one or more controls are disposed on the protective case such that at least one control is accessible to a user when the protective case is positioned behind the computing device and the computing device and the input device are grasped by one or more hands of a user.