Touchpad Coordinate Mapping for Multi-Function Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touchpad technologies are inefficient due to each area corresponding to only one type of instruction or input content, limiting their functionality and universality across different countries and applications, and failing to seamlessly switch between mouse and keyboard functions.

Innovation Solution

Divide the touchpad into multiple areas by coordinate points, create a database correlating these areas with key code values and contents, and enable switching between keyboard and mouse functions, allowing each area to correspond to multiple key code values and enable the input of various contents, including system shortcuts and macro commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each touchpad area corresponds to only one instruction or one input content, then the touchpad operation is simple, but the touchpad efficiency and functionality are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouchpad operation simplicityVSAvoidtouchpad input efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes each touchpad area correspond to multiple key code values and multiple types of input content simultaneously. By establishing a database that maps each coordinate area to multiple key codes and contents, the touchpad gains multi-functionality where a single area can trigger different inputs based on context, thereby improving efficiency without complicating user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of area-content correspondence from one-to-one to one-to-many. By modifying the data structure in the database to allow each coordinate area to associate with multiple key code values and multiple input contents, the system enables richer input capabilities while maintaining the same physical touchpad interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the touchpad uses fixed keyboard layouts for different countries, then the localization is accurate, but the universality and adaptability across different countries are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekeyboard layout accuracyVSAvoidcross-country applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal touchpad system that can adapt to multiple country-specific keyboard layouts through a single device. The database stores multiple key code mappings for each area, allowing the system to select the appropriate layout based on the detected operating system language, thus achieving both accuracy for each country and universality across countries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the keyboard layout dynamic by detecting the operating system's language settings and automatically switching between different key code mappings. This dynamic adaptation allows the same touchpad to provide accurate localized input for different countries without requiring physical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the touchpad shields mouse function to enable keyboard function, then the keyboard input can be achieved, but the switching process is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekeyboard input capabilityVSAvoidfunction switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mouse function and keyboard function into a single unified touchpad operation mode. Instead of shielding one function to enable the other, the system combines both capabilities by allowing coordinate-based input that can trigger either mouse actions or keyboard inputs based on the configured database mappings, eliminating the need for function switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration by pre-setting the database with multiple key code values and input contents for each touchpad area. This preliminary action enables the system to directly process coordinate inputs as keyboard commands without requiring runtime function switching, thus saving time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the touchpad supports only fast information inputting, then the ID number inputting efficiency is improved, but the system shortcut key inputting and macro command inputting capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveID number input speedVSAvoidinput content types
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the touchpad functionality to support multiple types of input content including system shortcut keys, macro commands, and regular text input. The database is configured to map touchpad areas to various input types, making the device universally applicable for different input needs beyond just fast ID number entry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3477457B1Touchpad-based rapid information input and interaction method and input and interaction system
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 BEIJING LUCKEY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3477457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a touchpad-based fast information input interaction method and an input interaction system thereof. The method comprises: S1, dividing the touchpad into a plurality of areas by coordinate points; S2, creating a database containing the correlation between the touchpad coordinate areas and key code values and a database containing the correlation between the key code values and stored contents, wherein each touchpad coordinate area corresponds to one or more key code values; S3, switching the touchpad into keyboard function, wherein the keyboard function and the mouse function of the touchpad can be switched therebetween; obtaining, by operating system, a trigger action signal on the touchpad and the coordinate information of the corresponding position on the touchpad where the trigger action signal has been generated; S4, determining the key code value used, searching the corresponding content from the database, inputting the content in the position of the cursor or executing a corresponding instruction. By utilizing each touchpad coordinate area corresponding to one or more key code values, the present invention can further improve the utilization of the touchpad.