Virtual Hard Keys on Wireless Devices for Orientation Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices face user confusion when keys and their functionalities change relative to the device's orientation, as existing systems with soft keys do not effectively maintain functionality consistency across different device positions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors like gravimetric sensors (mercury switches, pendulum, or ball bearing switches) and gyroscopes to detect device orientation, allowing for virtual hard keys whose functionalities adjust based on the device's position, ensuring that specific functions remain fixed relative to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soft keys are used to eliminate key movement confusion, then user confusion is reduced, but the functionality of keys still changes relative to the device orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the soft key functionality dynamic rather than static. The system automatically detects device orientation through sensors and remaps key functions in real-time based on the detected orientation, allowing the interface to adapt dynamically to the user's device position while maintaining consistent functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using orientation sensors to continuously monitor device orientation and providing real-time feedback to the software system. This feedback loop enables the system to detect orientation changes and automatically adjust key mappings to maintain consistent functionality relative to the user's perspective.
2Device complexity
If keys are fixed on the device, then the physical layout is simple, but the functionality changes relative to the user when the device is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing soft keys that can perform multiple functions depending on the device orientation. Each soft key's functionality is not fixed but rather adapts to the current orientation, allowing a single physical key position to represent different logical functions based on how the device is held.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the functional parameters of soft keys based on detected device orientation. The system changes the mapping between physical key positions and logical functions according to the orientation parameter, ensuring consistent functionality while maintaining a simple physical layout.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device orientation is detected and key functions are remapped, then functionality consistency is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that mediates between the simple physical hardware and the complex functionality requirements. This intermediary system handles the orientation detection and key remapping logic, allowing the hardware to remain simple while the software provides the necessary adaptability and functionality consistency.
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 ensures that key functionalities remain consistent and accessible to the user regardless of device orientation, providing a seamless user experience by remapping functions to maintain a fixed location for essential functions.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a gravimetric sensor, such as a mercury switch, a pendulum, or a ball bearing switch
Implementation Method 2
In other embodiments, the sensor is a gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the claimed invention provide systems and methods whereby the functionality of soft keys on a mobile electronic device may be shifted depending on the orientation of the device. The device detects its orientation and then maps a different function to the appropriate soft keys to ensure that the soft keys retain their functionalities from the end-user's perspective.