Force-Augmented Scrolling Input Device with Dynamic Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scrolling input devices face a trade-off between precise control and full-scale range due to their static mapping of physical to digital movements, and they struggle to accurately detect and interpret force applied during gestures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed scrolling input device incorporates force sensors under its touch-surface to detect strains during scroll gestures, allowing the device to modulate scrolling sensitivity based on the applied force. This device includes a microcontroller that calculates the force applied and estimates scrolling speed to determine digital scrolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a low sensitivity mapping is used to convert large physical movement to small digital movement, then precise control is improved, but the ability to scroll long distances efficiently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensitivity mapping adjustable rather than static. The system dynamically changes the mapping between physical wheel rotation and digital scrolling based on detected scrolling speed, allowing it to adapt between precise control and efficient long-distance scrolling modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter based on detected scrolling conditions. When slow scrolling is detected, high sensitivity is applied for precision; when fast scrolling is detected, low sensitivity is applied to prevent overshooting, thus resolving the contradiction between precise control and scrolling efficiency
2Productivity
If a high sensitivity mapping is used to generate large digital movements from small physical movements, then scrolling long distances efficiently is improved, but the ability to perform fine-grained adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensitivity based on real-time scrolling detection. When the system detects that the user is performing fine-grained adjustments (slow scrolling), it automatically applies high sensitivity mapping to maintain precision, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and precision
3Measurement precision
If capacitive touching sensors with conductive planes are used to track finger movement, then touch detection capability is improved, but device volume and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the conductive planes from the capacitive sensor structure, retaining only the essential touch detection functionality. This eliminates the space-consuming conductive plane layers while maintaining the ability to detect finger position and scrolling gestures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/conductive plane-based capacitive sensing structure with an alternative implementation that achieves the same touch detection function without requiring large conductive planes, thus reducing device volume
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 enables the scrolling input device to provide both fine-grained control and a large full-scale range without requiring configuration changes, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one force sensor is configured to detect the force applied to the active area by sensing strains in the touch-surface during the physical displacement of the scroll gesture
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a scrolling input device that maps a physical movement of a scroll gesture into a digital scrolling and includes a touch-surface with an active area, at least one force sensor, and a microcontroller. The force sensor is configured to detect force applied to the active area by sensing strains in the touch-surface during the physical displacement of the scroll gesture and to provide an output based on the sensed strains indicating information of an amount of the force applied to the active area. The microcontroller is configured to calculate the amount of the force applied to the active area based on the output of the force sensor and touch locations of the scroll gesture, to estimate a scrolling speed based on the calculated amount of the force, and to estimate the digital scrolling based on both the physical movement and the estimated scrolling speed.