Capacitive Remote Wake-Up Through Hidden Housing Deflection Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control devices with capacitive touch controls become nonresponsive when in a sleep state, and adding a mechanical button to awaken them diminishes aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device is configured to awaken from a sleep state through deformation of its housing, using a hidden switch actuated by deflection of a resiliently flexible portion, such as a carbon structure contacting a printed circuit board, to interpret changes in resistance or circuit closure as a signal to awaken.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical button is added to awaken the remote control from sleep state, then the remote control can be awakened, but the aesthetic appeal is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the awakening function from a visible mechanical button and relocates it to a hidden switch actuated by deflection of the housing or screen. This removes the disturbing visual element while preserving the functional capability, allowing the remote to wake from sleep state without compromising aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the resiliently flexible housing or screen) that translates the user's grasping or touching action into switch actuation. This intermediary allows the awakening function to be triggered indirectly through natural handling motions rather than requiring a dedicated button press, maintaining aesthetic appeal while ensuring ease of operation.
2Loss of energy
If the remote control enters sleep state to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but capacitive touch controls become nonresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by detecting the user's intent to use the device (through housing deflection or screen flexion) before the capacitive touch controls are activated. This preliminary switch actuation wakes the remote control in advance, ensuring that when the user touches the capacitive controls, the device is already responsive and ready for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the remote control's state changeable based on user interaction. The device transitions from a static sleep state to an active state through the dynamic action of deflecting the housing or screen. This dynamic transition allows the system to optimize battery consumption during idle periods while ensuring responsiveness when needed.
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 allows the remote control device to awaken concurrently with capacitive touch control actuation, maintaining aesthetic appeal while conserving battery life.
Implementation Method 1
The switch may be configured to be actuated upon deformation of a resiliently flexible portion of the housing, screen, or other components of the remote control device
Implementation Method 2
The carbon structure may contact a portion of a printed circuit board when the housing is deformed. When the carbon structure contacts the printed circuit board, the carbon structure may close an open circuit
Implementation Method 3
The switch may be configured to be actuated upon deformation of a resiliently flexible portion of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.