Touchpad Gesture Control for Videoconference Icon Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable information handling systems face difficulties during videoconferences due to the lack of visible control icons when applications transition to full screen mode, leading to reduced productivity and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A touchpad system that integrates both cursor and control icon inputs, allowing control icons to be presented at a touch detection surface, with automated adjustment of icon brightness independent of display and keyboard backlight illumination, and selective presentation based on application context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If applications transition to full screen mode, then the display area is maximized, but control icons become invisible and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first region for control icons and a second region for cursor input. This segmentation allows control icons to be displayed in a dedicated area that remains accessible even when applications are in full-screen mode, resolving the contradiction between maximizing display area and maintaining control icon accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If control icons are displayed on the primary display, then control accessibility is improved, but the display area for application content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Control icons are moved from the two-dimensional primary display plane to a different spatial dimension by displaying them on the touchpad surface. This dimensional relocation allows control icons to be visible and accessible without occupying screen real estate, thus maintaining full application display area while improving control accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If a separate touchpad display is used for control icons, then control icon visibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touchpad is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a cursor input device and as a display surface for control icons. This universal design allows the same hardware component to fulfill multiple roles, maintaining control icon visibility without adding separate dedicated hardware and thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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. A gesture at the touchpad in the application area commands presentation and removal of the control icons at the touchpad display in the application area while different touch analysis logic is applied to end user touches in the application area versus the remainder of the touchpad at which cursor inputs are accepted.