Angled Button Inline Controller for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote switches for portable electronic devices are either cumbersome when large or difficult to use accurately when small, often leading to inadvertent activation of wrong buttons or multiple buttons simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multiple function switch with buttons oriented at different angles, integrated into an inline controller, which includes a circuit board, switches, a base, and a pliable member, allowing for precise control of portable electronic devices without the need for visual confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the remote switch is made large, then it is easier to activate buttons accurately, but it becomes unwieldy and cumbersome to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging buttons at different angular orientations (e.g., 0 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees) around a central axis. This angular dimension allows buttons to be spatially separated in three-dimensional space while maintaining a compact overall form factor, resolving the contradiction between button activation accuracy and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the remote switch is made small, then it is easy to carry and use, but it becomes difficult to activate buttons accurately without visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing angular orientation as an additional dimension, the patent creates tactilely distinguishable button positions that are spatially separated despite the compact size of the controller. This allows users to accurately identify and activate specific buttons through touch alone, without requiring visual confirmation or a large form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving each button a unique angular position and orientation around the central axis. This creates distinct local characteristics for each button (different angles, different orientations) that enable tactile differentiation, allowing accurate button activation in a compact form factor.
3Volume of moving object
If buttons are positioned closely together to reduce size, then the device becomes more compact, but inadvertent activation of multiple buttons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by distributing buttons along an angular dimension rather than simply spacing them linearly. Buttons are positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 60°, 120°) around a central axis, which provides sufficient spatial separation to prevent accidental simultaneous activation while maintaining a compact overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the angular arrangement and orientation of buttons. Each button has a unique asymmetric position and orientation relative to the central axis and to other buttons, creating distinct tactile profiles that prevent inadvertent activation while allowing compact packaging of multiple control elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are described. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device. A multiple function switch may be incorporated in a cable associated with an earpiece arranged to be interfaced with a portable electronic device.