Touchscreen Input Element Rendering Outside Display Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touchscreen devices lack customizable input solutions that allow users to efficiently interact with applications without obstructing the main output area, as existing technologies do not effectively manage the rendering and placement of input elements like virtual keyboards within the limited screen space of portable devices.

Innovation Solution

A touchscreen device with a processor that receives input to select and render a subset of input elements, such as virtual keyboard keys, outside the main display area, allowing these elements to remain visible and adjustable in size and location as needed, enabling efficient data input without obstructing application output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If input elements like virtual keyboards are rendered within the display area, then they are easily accessible to users, but they obstruct the main application output area

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of input elementsVSAvoidDisplay area for application output
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts input elements from the main display area and positions them in a separate region. The processor renders a subset of input elements outside the display area dedicated to application output, allowing users to access input elements without obstructing the application content. This spatial separation resolves the contradiction by enabling both full display area utilization and input element accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display area is made smaller to accommodate input elements, then input elements can be displayed, but the application output area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to display input elementsVSAvoidApplication output area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the rendering space beyond the traditional display area boundaries into a separate region. The processor utilizes this additional spatial dimension to position input elements outside the main display area, effectively increasing the available space for both application output and input elements without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If input elements are made customizable in size and location, then user preferences can be accommodated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCustomizability of input elementsVSAvoidControl system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic positioning and sizing of input elements within the region outside the display area. The processor allows input elements to be repositioned and rescaled based on user interaction, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple implementation by confining these dynamic adjustments to a dedicated region rather than the entire screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2579136B1Device with customizable controls
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2579136B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2579136B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2579136B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and device for receiving input for a computer application are provided. The method involves receiving, at a touchscreen device including a touchscreen, input indicative of populating a subset from a set of given input elements. The subset is for providing application input data to a computer application. The subset is displayable on the touchscreen. The method further involves rendering the subset on the touchscreen such that the subset is operably configured to receive the application input data. The device includes a processor and touchscreen configured to carry out the method.