Virtual Keypad Auto-Display via Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices require users to repeatedly select a text input window to display a virtual keypad for text input, which is inconvenient for frequent text messaging.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device method and apparatus that detects a touch subject within a threshold distance from a touch screen to automatically display a virtual keypad and deletes it when the touch subject moves away, simplifying text input by eliminating the need for manual window selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user manually selects the text input window to display the virtual keypad, then the text input function is activated, but the user must repeatedly perform the selection action for frequent text messaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the user's hand or device proximity to the touch screen before the user actually needs to input text. When the proximity sensor detects the touch subject within the threshold distance, the virtual keypad is automatically displayed in advance, eliminating the need for manual window selection at the moment of text input need.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the proximity sensor to automatically detect when the user is about to use the text input function and autonomously displays the virtual keypad without requiring any manual activation. The system serves itself by using proximity detection to trigger the appropriate interface, making the text input process self-activating based on user presence.
2Ease of operation
If the virtual keypad is automatically displayed based on proximity detection, then the ease of text input is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor, which may already exist in the electronic device for other purposes such as auto-brightness control or sleep mode activation, is repurposed to also detect when the user intends to use text input. This multi-functional use of the sensor avoids adding dedicated hardware while achieving the automatic keypad display function.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's physical presence and the software interface activation. Instead of directly connecting user intent to interface changes, the sensor provides indirect detection of user presence, which then triggers the appropriate display of the virtual keypad through the processor.
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 streamlines text input by automatically displaying and hiding the virtual keypad based on user proximity, reducing user interaction and enhancing convenience for frequent text messaging.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, by the proximity sensor, the touch subject within the threshold distance from the touch screen
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A method and an electronic device for controlling a virtual keypad are provided. The method for displaying the virtual keypad of the electronic device includes detecting execution of an application allowing text input, detecting at least one touch subject within a threshold distance of a touch screen, and when detecting at least one touch subject within the threshold distance of the touch screen, displaying a virtual keypad.