Ear-jack Terminal Cap with Button for Dust Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ear-jack terminal of electronic devices is vulnerable to dust and water ingress when not connected to an earphone, leading to potential device malfunction.
Innovation Solution
An ear-jack terminal cap that provides waterproof and dustproof protection while enabling user-set functions and operations through a button or gesture input, utilizing resistors to detect insertion and button presses, and a sensor module to execute corresponding functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ear-jack terminal is left open without an earphone connected, then the terminal is accessible and usable, but dust or water may be introduced into the terminal causing device malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ear-jack terminal cap as an intermediary component that can be inserted into the ear-jack terminal to block dust and water ingress. The cap includes a button that acts as a mediator to detect insertion events and trigger corresponding functions, resolving the contradiction between protecting the terminal and maintaining accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional ear-jack terminal cap is used for protection, then waterproof and dustproof protection is provided, but the cap cannot provide additional user-set functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by equipping the ear-jack terminal cap with a button that can trigger various user-set functions such as emergency calls, camera capture, or other preset operations. This allows a simple protective cap to provide diverse functionalities without requiring separate control devices, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the ear-jack terminal cap includes a button for additional functions, then user convenience is improved, but the detection mechanism becomes more complex requiring resistors and sensor modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with an electrical resistance-based detection mechanism. The button is connected to a resistor that changes resistance state when pressed, and the sensor module detects this resistance change to trigger functions. This substitution simplifies the detection mechanism while maintaining user convenience.
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
Enhances user convenience by allowing device control and protection from environmental hazards, enabling various functions without unlocking the screen and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
resistors to detect insertion and button presses
Implementation Method 2
resistors to detect insertion and button presses, and a sensor module to execute corresponding functions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a
Figure 3b~4a
AI summary
An electronic device, a method for controlling the electronic device, a recording medium, and an ear-jack terminal cap interworking with the electronic device are provided. The method includes determining whether an ear-jack terminal cap has been inserted into an ear-jack terminal provided in the electronic device, setting at least one function for a button of the ear-jack terminal cap, and performing the set at least one function, upon receipt of an input of the button of the ear-jack terminal cap.