Sensor Selection for User Input on Dual-Surface Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of dual-touchscreen handheld devices often inadvertently enter extraneous input into sensors they do not intend to interact with, due to the design of multiple sensors on multiple surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine which surface of an information handling device is likely facing the user and select the associated sensors for user input, utilizing modules such as a determination module and a selection module, which can incorporate data from accelerometers, cameras, and microphones to minimize unwanted interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are provided on multiple surfaces of a dual-touchscreen device, then the device can be interacted with through either side, but users may inadvertently enter extraneous input into sensors they do not mean to interact with
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the user-facing surface before processing sensor inputs. By using the accelerometer to determine device orientation and identifying which surface is facing the user in advance, the system prevents extraneous inputs from being registered, thus resolving the contradiction between multi-surface interaction capability and input accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the physical device orientation and the sensor input processing. It provides orientation data that enables the system to selectively activate appropriate sensors, allowing the device to maintain both multi-surface adaptability and input reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are presented for selecting a surface for user input. The apparatus includes an information handling device having at least two surfaces and at least two sensors, as least one of the sensors being associated with one or more of the surfaces, a determination module, and a selection module. The determination module determines a current surface that is likely facing a user. The selection module selects one or more sensors associated with the current surface for user input.