Force-Sensing Crown Structure for Versatile Wearable Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input mechanisms in small form factor devices, such as watches and wearable devices, often lack the ability to detect non-binary amounts of force, limiting their functionality and versatility in receiving user inputs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating force sensors, such as capacitive sensors or strain gauges, into input structures like crowns or buttons that can detect changes in capacitance or strain to determine the amount of force applied, allowing for the detection of various inputs through rotation, translation, and transverse movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If small form factor devices use limited input mechanisms, then device size is reduced, but input capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by detecting different magnitudes of force applied to the crown through capacitive sensing. The system distinguishes between light presses, hard presses, and rotational forces by measuring capacitance changes, thereby expanding input capability without adding physical input mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown is designed to serve multiple functions: it can detect light presses for one type of input, hard presses for another type of input, and rotational movements for time adjustment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single input mechanism versatile enough to replace multiple specialized inputs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If force sensors are added to detect non-binary force amounts, then input versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force sensors with capacitive sensing elements that are already integrated into the crown structure. The capacitive elements detect force through electrical field changes, eliminating the need for separate mechanical sensors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining input versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The force detection capability is merged with the existing crown structure by integrating capacitive sensing elements directly into the crown. This combination allows the crown to simultaneously serve as both the input mechanism and the force sensor, reducing component count and simplifying device architecture.
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 the electronic device to interpret different amounts of force as distinct inputs, enhancing the range of user interactions and functionality without the need for additional input mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The collar includes a moveable conductor, a conductive element, and a separation defined between the moveable conductor and the conductive element. Movement of the input structure changes a capacitance between the moveable conductor and the conductive element.
Data Source
AI summary
An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.