Circuit Board Touch Input Region for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing input devices for mobile devices with thin and lightweight profiles poses challenges in providing a satisfactory user experience, as existing technologies struggle to integrate effective touch input solutions without increasing weight or space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A touch input device is integrated into a printed circuit board assembly, where a touch interaction region is formed by cutting or etching a portion of the circuit board, allowing it to move relative to adjacent portions, and includes a switch and sensor substrate to generate click and touch input events, respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate touch input components are added to mobile devices, then input functionality is improved, but device weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the circuit board and touch input device into a single integrated structure. The circuit board includes a moveable portion that functions as both a structural element and a touch-sensitive input surface, eliminating the need for separate touch input components and thereby reducing device weight while maintaining input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides electrical connectivity, structural support, and touch input capability. The moveable portion of the circuit board acts as both a mechanical component for circuit connectivity and a touch-sensitive surface for user input, allowing one component to fulfill multiple roles and reduce overall device complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate touch input components are added to mobile devices, then input functionality is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput functionalityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the touch input functionality directly into the circuit board structure. The moveable portion of the circuit board serves as both the electrical circuit carrier and the touch input surface, eliminating the need for additional layers or components that would increase device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the z-dimension (thickness direction) by creating a moveable portion that can deflect vertically while maintaining a thin profile. This allows touch input functionality to be achieved through vertical deflection of the circuit board itself rather than adding separate input layers, thereby maintaining device thinness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If traditional touch input devices are used, then user interaction is satisfactory, but device portability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the circuit board and touch input device into a single integrated component, eliminating redundant materials and structures. This integration maintains full touch input functionality for satisfactory user interaction while significantly reducing the overall weight and improving device portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for touch input, then input types are diverse, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput typesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple input functionalities (touch sensing and click detection) into a single integrated circuit board structure. The moveable portion provides both capacitive touch input and mechanical click input through different deflection modes, eliminating the need for separate buttons, switches, or touch sensors and thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable portion of the circuit board serves as a universal input surface that can detect both light touch (capacitive input) and firm pressure (mechanical click input). This multi-functional design allows diverse input types to be achieved through a single component rather than multiple specialized components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10739986B2Circuit board for an input device

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques for a circuit board for an input device are described. In at least some embodiments, an input device is integrated into a circuit board of an apparatus. For instance, a touch interaction region of the input device is formed by cutting and/or etching a portion of the circuit board such that the touch interaction region is moveable with respect to adjacent portions of the circuit board. According to one or more embodiments, an input device includes a switch such that movement of the touch interaction region actuates the switch to generate a click input event.