Configurable Buttons With Touch Sensors Preventing Accidental Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with buttons often face unintended activation when users physically manipulate the device, leading to accidental button presses, especially when trying to open clips or adjust other parts of the device.
Innovation Solution
Configurable buttons that utilize touch sensors and actuators to restrict button movement in real-time, preventing unintended activation by detecting the user's intent through sensor readings and adjusting the button's mechanical properties accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button is made movable to allow user interaction, then the button can be operated for input functions, but it may be inadvertently depressed when the user physically manipulates the device without intending to operate the button
Solution Approach 1:
The button's mechanical properties are dynamically adjusted in real-time based on sensor readings. When the sensor detects that the user is physically manipulating the device (such as opening a clip or adjusting a portion), the actuator restricts the button's range of motion or prevents depression. When the user intends to operate the button, the restriction is removed, allowing normal operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the button both operable when needed and protected from unintended activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the button (such as stiffness, range of motion, or depression force) based on detected user intent. The sensor monitors physical manipulation, and the actuator modifies the button's mechanical state accordingly. This parameter change allows the button to transition between a restricted state (preventing unintended activation) and an operational state (allowing intentional input).
2Reliability
If the button is restricted in motion to prevent unintended activation, then accidental presses are avoided, but the user cannot operate the button when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the user's physical interaction with the device and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the actuator adjusts the button's mechanical properties in real-time. When the sensor detects intentional button operation (such as prolonged pressure or specific manipulation patterns), it signals the actuator to remove restrictions, allowing the user to operate the button. This feedback loop ensures the button remains restricted during unintended manipulation but becomes operational when the user intends to use it.
Solution Approach 2:
The button's mechanical state is dynamically switched between restricted and operational modes based on real-time sensor input. The system detects user intent through sensor readings and adjusts the button's range of motion or depression resistance accordingly. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the button adaptive to user needs rather than statically restricted or freely movable.
3Reliability
If the device includes sensor and actuator components to enable configurable button behavior, then unintended activation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and actuator components serve multiple functions within the device. The sensor not only detects button press intent but also monitors physical manipulation of other device portions (such as clips or adjustable parts). The actuator not only restricts button motion but also can adjust other mechanical properties of the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system merges the button operation control with the physical manipulation detection into a single integrated system. The sensor and actuator that control button behavior are combined with the existing device structure and control architecture, rather than adding completely separate systems. This merging approach reduces overall complexity by sharing components and control logic across multiple device functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Configurable buttons for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. A configurable button may have a button member that moves relative to a device housing when it is desired to activate a switch. The button may have an associated touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect when a user's finger touches a particular portion of the button member. Contact with only this portion of the button member is generally inadvertent, so an actuator may be used to prevent or otherwise restrict motion of the button relative to a device housing. This prevents inadvertent activation of the button when a user is manipulating portions of an electronic device such as clip or lid, but does not intend to depress the button.