Side Display Volume Control via Touch Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with side display areas face limitations in incorporating hardware keys due to the presence of display areas on side surfaces, restricting volume control options.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a touch screen featuring a main area on the front surface and an auxiliary area on the side, where a controller detects touch inputs on the auxiliary area to determine a volume control area and adjusts volume based on touch events, eliminating the need for hardware keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a display area is added on the side surface of the electronic device, then the functionality and information display capability are improved, but the ability to incorporate hardware keys for volume control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hardware keys with a touch-sensitive display interface for volume control. The side surface display area functions as a virtual keyboard that detects touch inputs and translates them into volume control commands, eliminating the need for physical buttons while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The side surface display area serves multiple functions: it can display information, provide navigation controls, and enable volume adjustment. This multi-functional design allows the same physical space to fulfill various user needs without requiring separate hardware components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware keys are removed to accommodate side surface display areas, then the device design flexibility is improved, but the ease of finding and using volume control buttons during calls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Physical volume buttons are replaced with a touch-sensitive interface on the side display. During calls, users can adjust volume by touching the display area, which provides visual feedback and maintains intuitive control without requiring separate mechanical keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The display interface automatically adapts to call mode, presenting volume control options in an easily accessible location on the side surface. The system self-adjusts its functionality based on the operational context, ensuring volume control remains accessible during calls without user configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If hardware volume keys are eliminated, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the reliability of volume control function may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical volume keys with an electronic touch interface that detects finger contact and translates it into volume control signals. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures while maintaining reliable volume adjustment through software-based control with visual feedback mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and a method are provided for controlling volume. The electronic device includes a touch screen including a main area on a front surface of the electronic device and an auxiliary area formed on a side of the main area; and a controller configured to detect a touch area contacted on the auxiliary area in a call mode, to determine the auxiliary area as a volume control area based on the touch area, and to control volume according to a touch event input in the volume control area.