Touch Input Surface Disabling via Orientation and Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling devices with large touch input surfaces face issues with inadvertent touch inputs when carried, as movements and orientations can trigger unwanted interactions, leading to imperfect solutions like user intervention or palm rejection methods.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and proximity sensors to detect when a device is being carried and temporarily disable specific portions or the entire touch input surface, based on positional orientation and movement, to prevent inadvertent inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large area touch input surface is used, then the device can accept more touch input areas, but it causes inadvertent touch inputs when the device is carried or moved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch input areaVSAvoidinadvertent touch input

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the touch input surface state changeable - it transitions between enabled and disabled states based on real-time detection of device orientation and movement. The system dynamically adjusts touch input responsiveness rather than maintaining a fixed state, allowing the large touch surface to be fully utilized during stationary use while automatically disabling during carrying conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensor inputs (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensors) as intermediaries between the physical device state and the touch input surface response. These sensors detect device orientation and movement, and this intermediate detection layer triggers the appropriate touch surface state, preventing inadvertent inputs without reducing the physical touch area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the touch input surface is disabled to prevent inadvertent inputs, then false touches are reduced, but the device becomes less responsive to legitimate user input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalse touch inputVSAvoidtouch input responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action through temporary, condition-based disabling of the touch surface. Rather than permanent or continuous disabling, the touch surface is periodically re-enabled when carrying conditions cease, allowing legitimate input to resume. This periodic activation ensures the system responds appropriately to changing device states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data about device orientation and movement continuously feeds back to control the touch surface state. This closed-loop feedback ensures the touch surface is disabled only when actual carrying conditions are detected, and re-enabled when the device is placed on a surface or returned to a usable state, maintaining ease of operation during legitimate use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If user intervention is required to disable touch input during carrying, then inadvertent inputs can be prevented, but the user experience is degraded by requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinadvertent touch inputVSAvoiduser interaction requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically detecting carrying conditions through sensor inputs and autonomously disabling the touch surface without requiring user intervention. The device monitors its own state through accelerometers, gyroscopes, and proximity sensors, and independently determines when to disable or enable touch input, eliminating the need for manual user actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution effectively reduces false touch inputs during carrying by intelligently disabling touch surfaces only when necessary, enhancing user experience by minimizing unnecessary interactions and improving usability during movement.

Implementation Method 1

receiving a first input from a device component indicating positional orientation of the information handling device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

receiving a second input from a device component indicating that the information handling device is undergoing movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

touch or touch sensitive (or like variations) are used to describe both physical contact sensing and proximity sensing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11334113B2Disabling touch input to information handling device

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

An aspect provides a method, including: receiving a first input from a device component indicating positional orientation of an information handling device; receiving a second input from a device component indicating that the information handling device is undergoing movement; and disabling, responsive to the first input and the second input, at least a portion of a touch input surface of the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.