Deformable Human Interface Sensing for Continuous Multi-Axis Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional human interface devices have rigid housings that can be uncomfortable and prone to injury, and they often provide only binary signals, which limits their control precision and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A human interface device featuring a deformable body with integrated deformable conductors that change electric characteristics in response to physical manipulations such as compression, flexing, twisting, or stretching, allowing for continuous and multi-dimensional control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid housing is used in conventional human interface devices, then structural strength and stability are improved, but user comfort and safety deteriorate due to discomfort and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid housings with flexible deformable bodies that can be compressed, flexed, twisted, or stretched. These deformable materials maintain structural integrity while providing soft, comfortable contact with user hands, eliminating injury risks associated with rigid surfaces during manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamically deformable structures that adapt their shape and properties in response to user manipulation. The deformable body changes its physical state during use, allowing it to absorb forces safely while maintaining functional integrity, thus resolving the conflict between strength and safety.
2Device complexity
If binary signals are used in conventional devices, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (resistance, capacitance, inductance) of deformable conductors in response to physical deformation. This allows continuous analog signals to be generated from mechanical manipulation, providing precise control information without requiring complex digital signal processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical switch mechanisms with electrical property-based sensing. Instead of discrete mechanical contacts, the deformable conductors' changing electrical characteristics directly encode control information, achieving high precision with simpler overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If deformable conductors are integrated into deformable bodies, then control precision and signal versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural body and sensing conductor into a single integrated deformable unit. The deformable conductor is embedded within or coupled to the deformable body, so that structural manipulation automatically generates sensing signals without requiring separate mechanical-to-electrical conversion mechanisms, thereby managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural housing, the sensing element, and the signal generation mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the complexity introduced by the deformable conductor integration.
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 deformable human interface device provides a safer, more durable, and comfortable control experience, enabling continuous and multi-dimensional signal inputs that enhance control precision and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable conductor may be arranged to change an electric characteristic in response to the physical manipulation. The electric characteristic may include a resistance.
Implementation Method 2
The electric characteristic may include a capacitance.
Implementation Method 3
The electric characteristic may include an inductance.
Data Source
AI summary
A human interface device may include a deformable body having a handle portion, and a deformable conductor coupled to the deformable body and arranged to deform in response to a physical manipulation of the deformable body. The physical manipulation may include compressing, flexing, twisting, and/or stretching at least a portion of the deformable body. The deformable conductor may be arranged to change an electric characteristic such as a resistance, capacitance and/or inductance in response to the physical manipulation. The deformable conductor may include a sensor portion, and a transmission portion. The sensor portion may sense a first type of physical manipulation, and the transmission portion may sense a second type of physical manipulation.