Annular Input Ring Lighting for Finger Speed Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input interface technologies provide monotonous optical presentations, failing to effectively express movement and speed variations of a finger's operation, limiting the range of expression and user feedback.

Innovation Solution

An input interface device with an annular input ring that uses light emitters to create dynamic optical presentations based on the speed and direction of finger movements, distinguishing between tap and slide operations through capacitance detection and controlling light emission intensity and color accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a light source at a position corresponding to a finger touching a predetermined position is caused to emit light while other light sources are caused not to emit light, then the position of touch is clearly indicated, but the optical presentation becomes monotonous and fails to express movement speed variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch position indicationVSAvoidoptical presentation range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the light emission characteristics changeable based on finger movement speed. The light source's emission intensity and duration are dynamically adjusted according to the detected finger movement speed, transforming a static light indication system into a dynamic one that can express different operational states. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining clear position indication while adding expressive capability for movement variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of light emission (intensity, duration, color temperature) based on finger movement speed detection. By varying these light emission parameters according to the speed at which the finger moves across the input interface, the system provides differentiated optical presentations for different interaction types. This enables the system to maintain precise position indication while expanding the range of optical expression to convey movement characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple light sources are used to indicate different positions, then position indication is achieved, but the system cannot effectively convey the speed and direction of finger movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition indicationVSAvoidmovement speed and direction information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by detecting finger movement speed and using this information to adjust light emission characteristics. The system continuously monitors the interaction and provides real-time optical feedback that reflects both position and movement dynamics. This feedback mechanism ensures that position indication remains precise while simultaneously conveying movement speed and direction information through variations in light emission patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By making the light emission dynamic and responsive to finger movement speed, the system transforms static position indicators into dynamic feedback elements. The light sources not only indicate position but also adapt their emission characteristics based on the detected movement parameters, thereby conveying speed and direction information without sacrificing position indication precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If simple light on/off control is used, then the system is easy to control, but the user feedback is limited and lacks operational feel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control simplicityVSAvoiduser feedback quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances user feedback by changing multiple parameters of light emission (intensity, duration, color temperature) based on finger movement speed, while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying control system. The control logic remains relatively simple, automatically adjusting light parameters based on detected movement characteristics, thereby providing rich user feedback without complicating the control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static light on/off control to dynamic light emission control that adapts to finger movement speed. This dynamic approach enriches user feedback and operational feel while building upon the simple foundation of light-based control, maintaining ease of operation while significantly enhancing adaptability and feedback quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances the range of optical presentation on an input interface by providing distinct lighting patterns that reflect the speed and direction of finger movements, offering improved user feedback and operational feel.

Implementation Method 1

causes, among the plurality of light emitters, a first light emitter corresponding to a contact or proximity point at which an object is in contact with or in proximity to the detection surface to emit light with a luminous intensity that is higher than the luminous intensity of the remaining light emitters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a detector that detects a contact or proximity point at which an object is in contact with or in proximity to a detection surface of the input ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4293658B1Input interface device, electronic musical instrument, light emission control method and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP4293658B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4293658B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4293658B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An input interface device (11,151) includes at least one processor (11). The processor (11) performs control to cause, among light emitters (151b), a first light emitter (151b) corresponding to a contact/proximity point detected by a detector (151a) to emit light with a luminous intensity higher than that of a remaining light emitter (151b). The contact/proximity point is where an object is in contact with or in proximity to a detection surface. The processor (11) further performs control, while the object is moving along the light emitters (151b) in a state in which the object is in contact with or in proximity to the detection surface, to gradually reduce a luminous intensity of, among the light emitters (151b), a second light emitter (151b) corresponding to a point where the object being in contact with or in proximity to the detection surface once detected by the detector (151a) is no longer detected to put out the second light emitter (151b) in a predetermined time.