Single Key Touch Control for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with multiple physical keys face structural integrity issues due to numerous holes, increasing the risk of faults and reducing user experience, especially when volume control and back key operations are not posture-independent, leading to mis-operation and decreased usability.
Innovation Solution
A touch method and electronic device design featuring a single key that integrates multiple functions, including volume adjustment and back/home operations, using a touch sensing region and posture detection to adjust functional parameters based on user input, allowing for flexible operation in various device postures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical keys are arranged on the electronic device, then the operational functions are enhanced, but the structural integrity is reduced due to numerous holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple key functions (back key, home key, volume control) into a single physical key located at the lower right of the display screen. This single key integrates navigation and control functions that previously required separate keys, thereby reducing the number of holes in the device structure while maintaining operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical key is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a back key when pressed briefly, a home key when pressed and held for a specific duration, and a volume control key when swiped in different directions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated keys for each function.
2Device complexity
If volume control directions are fixed, then the control mechanism is simple, but the usability is reduced when the device is in different postures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic volume control where the direction of volume adjustment is no longer fixed but adapts based on the device's current posture. The system detects the device orientation and dynamically adjusts which swipe direction corresponds to volume increase or decrease, allowing users to maintain intuitive control regardless of how the device is held.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the volume control key based on device posture. When the device is detected to be in a different orientation, the system modifies the mapping between swipe directions and volume adjustment actions, ensuring consistent user experience across various holding positions.
3Ease of operation
If the back key is arranged on the lower right of the display screen, then the operation convenience is improved, but the mis-operation rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary detection step before executing the back key function. The system detects the pressing action on the lower right key and evaluates whether it meets the specific criteria for triggering the back function versus other functions. This preliminary evaluation prevents mis-operations by ensuring the correct function is activated based on the user's intent.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a touch method applied in an electronic device and the corresponding electronic device. The electronic device has a first key arranged at a first position of the electronic device, and the first key is operable to respond to a first operation to control the electronic device to generate a first executable instruction based on the first operation for instructing the electronic device to display a first main interface through the first executable instruction. The method comprises: receiving a second operation via the first key when the electronic device displays a first interface of a first application program; judging whether the second operation satisfies a first preset rule to acquire a first judgment result; generating, according to the first judgment result, a second executable instruction based on the second operation; and controlling, according to the second executable instruction, the electronic device to perform an operation corresponding to the second executable instruction.