Capacitive Touch Remote Control With Hidden Housing Wake Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote control devices with capacitive touch controls become nonresponsive when in a sleep state, and the addition of a mechanical button to awaken them compromises aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device is configured to awaken from a sleep state through a hidden switch actuated by deformation of its housing, using a carbon structure that contacts a printed circuit board upon deformation, interpreting changes in resistance or circuit closure as a signal to awaken.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical button is provided 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 mechanism embedded within the housing. The switch is positioned such that it can be actuated by deformation of the housing or screen during normal capacitive touch operation, but remains invisible when the device is in its normal state, thus preserving aesthetic appeal while maintaining awakening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the awakening function with the existing capacitive touch interface. The same housing deformation that activates capacitive touch controls also actuates the hidden switch, combining two functions into a single interaction mechanism. This eliminates the need for a separate visible button while ensuring the device can be awakened from sleep state.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the remote control enters a sleep state to preserve battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but the capacitive touch controls become nonresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by detecting housing deformation before the device fully enters sleep mode. When deformation is detected during sleep state, the switch is actuated to trigger an awakening sequence that restores power to the capacitive touch controls, ensuring they become responsive before the user actually needs to use them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the hidden switch mechanism to monitor housing deformation. This feedback signal triggers the awakening sequence when the device is in sleep state, creating a closed-loop system that automatically responds to user interaction attempts and restores full functionality as 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 capacitive touch controls to become responsive almost concurrently with user interaction, maintaining aesthetic appeal by hiding the awakening mechanism within the device's housing.
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 close an open circuit such that the remote control device may interpret closure of the open circuit on the printed circuit board as a signal to awaken from the sleep state
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.