Capacitive Crown Input Structure for Precise Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input mechanisms in small form factor devices, such as watches, lack the ability to effectively detect and differentiate various amounts of force applied, limiting their functionality in receiving user inputs.
Innovation Solution
An input mechanism, such as a crown, equipped with force sensors that utilize capacitance changes between moveable conductors and conductive elements to determine the amount of force applied, allowing for non-binary input recognition through rotation, translation, and transverse movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional input mechanisms are used in small form factor devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to detect and differentiate various amounts of force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force sensing mechanisms with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor detects force applied to the crown by measuring changes in capacitance, eliminating the need for complex mechanical force sensors while achieving precise force detection. This substitution allows the device to detect various amounts of force without significantly increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in capacitance as a parameter to detect force application. By monitoring capacitance variations between the moveable conductor and conductive element, the system can differentiate between various force amounts. This parameter-based detection method provides precise force measurement while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single input mechanism is used, then the device maintains simplicity, but the variety of input types that can be received is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single crown input mechanism multi-functional by equipping it with capacitive sensors that can detect multiple types of user interactions. The same crown structure can now recognize rotation, translation, transverse movement, and varying force amounts as distinct input types. This universal design allows one input mechanism to perform the functions of multiple separate controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic force detection capability to the crown, allowing it to respond to different magnitudes of force as distinct input types. The capacitive sensor enables the crown to dynamically adjust its response based on the force applied, transforming a static input mechanism into a dynamic one that can recognize multiple input varieties from a single structure.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors are added to detect non-binary force amounts, then input precision is improved, but the structural complexity of the input mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical force sensing systems with a capacitive sensing approach. The capacitive sensor uses electrical field measurements rather than mechanical components to detect force amounts, achieving precise non-binary force detection without the complexity of mechanical force sensors. The moveable conductor and conductive element arrangement provides accurate force measurement through capacitance changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses capacitance as a measurable parameter to detect force amounts with high precision. By monitoring the change in capacitance between the moveable conductor and conductive element, the system can determine various force amounts accurately. This parameter-based approach achieves precise measurement while keeping the sensor system relatively simple compared to alternative force sensing methods.
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
Enables the electronic device to interpret different force amounts as distinct inputs, enhancing the variety and precision of user interactions without increasing the number of input mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The collar includes a moveable conductor, a conductive element, and a separation defined between the moveable conductor and the conductive element. Movement of the input structure changes a capacitance between the moveable conductor and the conductive element.
Data Source
AI summary
An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.