Capacitive Input Device Switching Operation States to Eliminate Mechanical Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resistive membrane keyboards suffer from reduced lifespan due to frequent electrical contacts causing abrasion and are limited in accepting inputs beyond keystrokes, failing to accommodate modern multi-touch gestures.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touching and pressing module with a touch-sensitive capacitive sensor layer, an intermediate insulating layer, and a common electrode, which senses capacitance changes for keystrokes and touch actions, allowing for the generation of input signals and enabling multi-touch gestures through a controller that switches between operation states based on user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resistive membrane keyboard uses conductive traces that make frequent electrical contacts, then the input device can receive keystroke inputs, but the frequent contacts cause abrasion which reduces the lifetime of the keyboard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based resistive membrane keyboard with a capacitive sensing system. Instead of relying on physical contact between conductive traces, the invention uses capacitance changes detected by sensor pads to sense both keystrokes and touch gestures. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and extends the device lifetime while maintaining input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical contact resistance to electrical capacitance. By measuring capacitance changes between sensor pads and a common electrode, the system can detect both key presses and touch gestures without physical contact, thereby eliminating abrasion and extending device lifetime.
2Device complexity
If a conventional keyboard is designed for keystroke inputs only, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot accept other inputs such as multi-touch gesture which becomes very popular recently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal input device that can perform multiple functions: detecting traditional keystrokes, recognizing touch gestures, and simulating mouse operations. The capacitive sensor array and controller are designed to handle various input types through a unified architecture, allowing the keyboard to adapt to different user needs without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic operation states that allow the keyboard to switch between different input modes. The controller can identify whether the user intends to perform keystroke input or touch gesture input based on detection results, and dynamically adjust its response behavior. This dynamic adaptability enables the device to handle diverse input types without increasing structural complexity.
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 extends the lifespan of the input device by reducing abrasion and enhances input functionality to include various gestures and mouse simulations, enabling more comprehensive control over modern electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive sensor layer senses a capacitance change resulting from the touch action. The keystroke above the hole shortening a distance between the capacitive sensor layer and the common electrode to result in a capacitance change between the capacitive sensor layer and the common electrode.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device and an input method for a data processing device are provided. The input device includes a touch-sensitive module, an operation prompt interface and a controller. According to the input method, the input device issues a first input signal to the data processing device when a first electrical property change resulting from the keystroke or the tap is sensed in a first operation state. The input device is switched from the first operation state to a second operation state in response to a switching operation. The input device issues a second input signal to the data processing device when a second electrical property change resulting from a touch action is sensed in the second operation state.