Touch-Sensitive Keyboard Layout for Unified Typing and Gesture Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable computing devices face space constraints and inefficiencies in user input methods, requiring users to switch between keyboards and trackpads for typing and gesture inputs, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard design that integrates touch-sensitive keys capable of detecting gestures, allowing the keyboard to function as both a keyboard and a trackpad, with a processor that distinguishes between typing, click, and tracking gestures, enabling unified input processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate trackpad is included in portable computers, then user input capability is improved, but device space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the keyboard and trackpad into a single integrated device. The keyboard surface incorporates touch-sensitive capabilities throughout, allowing the entire keyboard area to function as both a typing surface and a trackpad surface for gesture-based cursor control, eliminating the need for a separate trackpad component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard is designed with multi-functionality, where each key and the overall keyboard surface can serve multiple purposes: traditional key pressing for character input, light touches for click gestures, and sliding motions for trackpad-style cursor control. This universal design allows one device to replace multiple input tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If users switch between keyboard and trackpad for different input tasks, then input precision is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput precisionVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated keyboard-trackpad allows continuous input operations without requiring the user to physically move their hands between separate devices. Users can maintain hand position on the keyboard surface while seamlessly transitioning between typing, clicking, and gesturing, eliminating interruptions and maintaining continuous productive action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the keyboard surface is made touch-sensitive for gesture detection, then device functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements touch-sensitivity across the keyboard surface by integrating capacitive or resistive touch sensing capabilities into the existing keyboard structure. This allows the keyboard to detect various touch parameters (pressure, position, motion) enabling gesture recognition while building upon established keyboard manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8754854B1Keyboard integrated with trackpad

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

An apparatus includes a processor and a keyboard having multiple, separately moveable keys. The keyboard is configured to function as both a keyboard and a trackpad.