Click Pad Travel Reduction via Stylus Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Click pads in electronic devices often inadvertently actuate when a stylus is used, leading to unintended pressing events due to the ease with which dome switches are triggered by stylus pressure, making it difficult to regulate pressure-sensitive actuation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating circuitry that detects a stylus and activates an electromagnetic valve circuit to reduce the travel distance of the click pad, thereby minimizing actuation when a stylus is in use, and disabling the switch signal to prevent unintended clicks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the click pad is made pressure-sensitive to enable easy actuation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent actuation by stylus pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of actuationVSAvoidinadvertent actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The click pad travel distance is dynamically adjusted based on the detected input tool type. When a stylus is detected, the travel distance is reduced to prevent inadvertent actuation. When a finger is detected, the travel distance remains normal to ensure ease of operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the system behavior to the specific input device being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of click pad travel distance is changed based on the input tool type. The system modifies the travel distance parameter from a first distance (when no stylus is detected) to a second distance (when a stylus is detected), thereby preventing inadvertent actuation while maintaining ease of operation for finger input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the click pad travel distance is reduced to prevent inadvertent actuation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced actuation responsiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevent inadvertent actuationVSAvoidactuation responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The click pad travel distance is dynamically adjusted based on the detected input tool type. When a stylus is detected, the travel distance is reduced to prevent inadvertent actuation. When a finger is detected, the travel distance remains normal to ensure ease of operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the system behavior to the specific input device being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of click pad travel distance is changed based on the input tool type. The system modifies the travel distance parameter from a first distance (when no stylus is detected) to a second distance (when a stylus is detected), thereby preventing inadvertent actuation while maintaining ease of operation for finger input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the click pad maintains full travel distance for normal operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision deteriorates when using a stylus due to inadvertent clicks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenormal operationVSAvoiddrawing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The click pad travel distance is dynamically adjusted based on the detected input tool type. When a stylus is detected, the travel distance is reduced to prevent inadvertent actuation. When a finger is detected, the travel distance remains normal to ensure ease of operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the system behavior to the specific input device being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of click pad travel distance is changed based on the input tool type. The system modifies the travel distance parameter from a first distance (when no stylus is detected) to a second distance (when a stylus is detected), thereby preventing inadvertent actuation while maintaining ease of operation for finger input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution effectively reduces the likelihood of inadvertent click pad actuation when using a stylus, enhancing the precision of drawing or signing by maintaining the click pad in a fixed position, thus preventing unwanted switch activations.

Implementation Method 1

a valve circuit to reduce the click pad travel in response to the stylus detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS11625104B1Click pads travel reductions

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In some examples, an electronic device includes a click pad. In some examples, the electronic device includes circuitry disposed under the click pad. In some examples, the circuitry is to activate to reduce click pad travel from a first distance to a second distance. In some examples, the circuitry is to activate in response to a stylus detection.