Adaptive Virtual Key Input for Thin-Frame User Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with mechanical push buttons face issues of redundancy, high production costs, and design challenges due to diverse functions and thin frames, leading to inefficient user input interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A user input device with virtual keys defined by a substrate and sensing electrodes, where a controller generates input commands based on capacitance data, allowing adaptive key allocation and reduced physical button requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical push buttons are used to provide diverse functions, then the functionality and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to redundant buttons for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal touch-sensitive surface that can perform multiple functions through software configuration rather than requiring separate mechanical buttons for each function. The same physical surface adapts to provide different input capabilities (numeric keypad, directional controls, function buttons) depending on the application context, eliminating redundant hardware while maintaining diverse functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic key allocation where the function and position of virtual keys are not fixed but can be reconfigured based on operational modes and user needs. The controller dynamically assigns different functions to different regions of the touch-sensitive surface, allowing the interface to adapt its layout and functionality rather than being static like mechanical buttons.
2Shape
If mechanical push buttons are disposed on a thinned frame, then the device design is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning and mounting buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical push buttons with a touch-sensitive surface that can be integrated directly into the device housing or frame as a planar element. This eliminates the need for mechanical button mounting structures, allowing the input interface to be manufactured as part of the housing itself through standard fabrication processes, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining a thin profile.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different models of products have different numbers and allocations of push buttons, then the adaptability to specific applications is improved, but the productivity and cost increase due to large stocks and high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal touch-sensitive input device that can be used across different product models without requiring model-specific button configurations. The same hardware platform adapts to different applications through software-based virtual key allocation, allowing manufacturers to use a single standardized component across multiple product lines, thereby improving productivity and reducing inventory complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If virtual keys are used instead of mechanical push buttons, then the ease of manufacture and device thinness are improved, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy may deteriorate due to touch-sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons with capacitive touch-sensing technology that detects changes in electrical capacitance caused by finger proximity or contact. This allows for highly precise detection of touch position and gestures through electrical measurements, potentially achieving equal or superior precision compared to mechanical switches while enabling thinner device designs and simplified manufacturing.
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 solution enables flexible and efficient user input interfaces with reduced stock and production costs, allowing for thinner device designs and adaptable functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed separately on or in the substrate for sensing an object; and a controller electrically coupled to the sensing electrodes and stored therein at least one virtual key allocation table, wherein the controller executes a converting operation to generate a sensed object information according to a capacitance data realized from the sensing electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A user input device for use with a controlled device. The user input device includes a substrate; a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed separately on or in the substrate for sensing an object; and a controller electrically coupled to the sensing electrodes and stored therein at least one virtual key allocation table, wherein the controller executes a converting operation to generate a sensed object information according to a capacitance data realized from the sensing electrodes, and generates an input command associated with a specified key in the virtual key allocation table, which corresponds to the sensed object information, for controlling the controlled device. The same sensed object information can be designed to correspond to keys of different definition under different virtual key allocation tables, and/or derive different input commands in different operational.