Deformable Member Accelerometer Module for Touch Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no existing solution to add accelerometer functionality to existing electronic devices, making it difficult to sense acceleration in personal electronic devices without manufacturing it into the original equipment.

Innovation Solution

A module is introduced that includes acceleration-responsive mechanisms with deformable members contacting a touch screen, which vary in contact area in response to acceleration, allowing the module to sense acceleration along multiple axes and be easily installed on mobile devices with touch-sensitive interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If accelerometer functionality is manufactured into original equipment, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacceleration sensing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deformable member as an intermediary between the acceleration force and the touch screen sensor. This deformable member translates physical acceleration into contact area changes that the touch screen can detect, enabling acceleration sensing without integrating a traditional accelerometer into the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical accelerometer system with a combination of deformable member and touch screen sensing. Instead of using a dedicated mechanical acceleration sensor, the system uses the existing touch screen infrastructure combined with a deformable element that converts acceleration into touchable contact area variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a module is added to existing devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable member serves multiple functions: it acts as both the acceleration sensing element and the interface with the touch screen. The same component that deforms under acceleration also provides the contact area variation that the touch screen detects, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the acceleration sensing function with the existing touch screen infrastructure. By placing the deformable member on the touch screen, the system combines structural support, acceleration sensing, and touch detection into a unified interface, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If deformable members contact the touch screen, then measurement precision is improved, but the risk of false touch input increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacceleration detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse touch input

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable member makes contact with the touch screen at specific localized regions rather than across the entire surface. This localized contact approach allows the system to distinguish between intentional user touches and acceleration-induced deformations by analyzing the position, pressure, and duration characteristics of the contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system exploits the dynamic characteristics of the deformable member's response to acceleration versus user touch. Acceleration-induced deformation occurs rapidly and reversibly with the device's motion, while user touches have different temporal and pressure profiles, allowing the system to differentiate between the two through dynamic analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables existing electronic devices to sense acceleration, orientation, or both, facilitating applications like pedometers, vibration sensors, and game controllers, by using deformable members that change contact area with the touch screen in response to forces, allowing for detection of overall acceleration.

Implementation Method 1

directing a force of acceleration to push the deformable member against the touch sensitive device surface to cause elastic deformation of the deformable member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8136402B2Accelerometer module for use with a touch sensitive device

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An accelerometer module for use with a touch sensor on a device, a method of detecting acceleration using a touch sensor, and a computer program product for receiving the touch sensor data and producing output representative of acceleration. The accelerometer module provides a device with a touch sensor, such as a mobile phone, with the ability to sense acceleration, orientation, or both. The accelerometer module may sense acceleration along a single axis or multiple axis. Sensing acceleration along three axis may be useful for producing a handheld game controller or for providing input to many other applications. The accelerometer module applies a force against a deformable member to change the contact area between the deformable member and the touch sensor, wherein the contact area is a function of the amount of applied acceleration.