Touchpad Cursor Over Control Icons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable information handling systems face difficulties in accessing videoconference controls during videoconferences, especially when applications transition to full screen mode, leading to reduced productivity and user frustration due to the lack of visible control icons.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad system that integrates both cursor and control icon inputs, allowing control icons to be presented at a touchpad display, which can be selectively shown or hidden based on application context and ambient light conditions, independent of display and keyboard backlight brightness, enabling easy access to videoconference controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the application transitions to full screen mode to enhance videoconference visibility, then the videoconference content becomes more prominent, but the control icons become invisible and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving control icons from the traditional display screen to a separate touchpad surface. This spatial relocation allows control icons to remain accessible even when the display is in full screen mode, as users can interact with controls through the touchpad without compromising videoconference visibility on the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the user interface by separating control icons from the main display area. The touchpad surface is divided into distinct zones: one for cursor movement and another for control icon interaction. This segmentation enables independent operation of controls without interfering with full screen videoconference display.
2Area of stationary object
If control icons are removed from the display to provide full screen videoconference view, then the videoconference content is maximized, but users must search for controls in peripheral devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning control icons on the touchpad surface before the user needs them. The control icons are always accessible through the touchpad, eliminating the need for users to search through peripheral devices or wait for controls to reappear on the display after full screen mode exits.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchpad serves as an intermediary interface between the user and the videoconference controls. Instead of requiring users to physically search for controls on separate peripheral devices, the touchpad provides a dedicated, always-accessible control surface that mediates the interaction between the user and the videoconference application.
3Ease of operation
If the touchpad displays control icons to maintain accessibility, then control availability is improved, but the touchpad display brightness must be independently managed from display and keyboard backlights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic brightness adjustment of the touchpad display based on ambient light conditions. The system autonomously senses environmental lighting and adjusts touchpad icon brightness accordingly, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and reducing the complexity of coordinated brightness management across multiple display components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the brightness parameter of the touchpad display icons in response to ambient light conditions. The system modifies the luminance parameter of touchpad icons automatically, ensuring optimal visibility without requiring complex coordination with display and keyboard backlight systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system touchpad includes an application area with a display to present control icons of an application executing on the information handling system, such as camera and microphone icons to control camera and microphone functions of a videoconference application or a calculator user interface. The touchpad accepts inputs at the control icons with a predetermined touch, such as a tap or a double tap. The touchpad continues to provide cursor touch inputs across the full touch surface, including over the control icons by applying separate touch logic to isolate control icon inputs, such as isolating finger taps as control icon inputs when control icons are presented.