Virtual Keyboard Synchronization with Retractable Physical Keys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information handling systems face challenges with component accessibility and audio output due to their compact design, which limits upgradeability and thermal management, and struggles with integrating effective speakers for stereo sound in a reduced footprint.

Innovation Solution

A portable information handling system with a transparent cover that rotates to expose internal components, integrates a display for visual cues, and uses a piezoelectric speaker with a sealed chamber for efficient audio output, allowing for easier servicing and enhanced audio feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the housing is designed with a compact footprint for portability, then mobility and storage are improved, but component accessibility and thermal management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing footprintVSAvoidcomponent accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into separate accessible portions, allowing users to access specific components (battery, keyboard, display) by opening designated access points without disassembling the entire device. This segmentation maintains compactness while providing targeted accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Access panels or removable covers serve as intermediary elements between the user and internal components. These intermediaries allow easy access to components for upgrading or monitoring while maintaining the sealed compact housing structure for portability and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If speakers are integrated into the housing for portability, then device integration is improved, but audio output effectiveness deteriorates due to limited spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker integrationVSAvoidaudio output effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Piezoelectric speakers are nested within sealed chambers formed by the housing structure itself. The housing walls and internal partitions create acoustic chambers that amplify the output of small piezoelectric speakers, allowing effective audio output despite limited speaker size and spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the audio system by using piezoelectric speakers with high output efficiency and designing sealed chambers that optimize acoustic pressure and resonance. This allows small speakers to produce effective audio output by optimizing the acoustic environment rather than increasing speaker size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the system uses a transparent cover with display for visual feedback, then user interaction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover is merged with a display element to create a multi-functional component that provides both protective coverage and visual feedback. This combination eliminates the need for separate display hardware and wiring, simplifying manufacturing while enhancing user interaction through visual cues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent cover serves multiple functions: physical protection of internal components, acoustic sealing for speaker chambers, and visual display interface. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, simplifying manufacturing while providing enhanced user interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system provides improved accessibility to internal components for upgrades and better thermal management while offering enhanced audio feedback through visual cues, improving user interaction and system performance.

Implementation Method 1

integrates a speaker to output audible information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The transparent cover is sealed with an inflatable seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11893163B2Information handling system virtual and physical keyboard position coordination

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system includes a physical keyboard that extends and retracts from within the system to outside of the system and a display that presents a virtual keyboard that moves synchronously with physical keyboard during retraction and extension. For example, as keys of the physical keyboard become visible or hidden by movement of the physical keyboard, the virtual keyboard slides across the display so that virtual keys are hidden or visible with the virtual keyboard in one example embodiment only showing virtual keys corresponding to hidden physical keys. In another example embodiment, the virtual keyboard accepts key inputs for hidden physical keys, which are disabled from accepting inputs.