Gesture Multi-Function on Physical Keyboard Using Capacitive Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard keyboards become increasingly complex as computer functionality grows, necessitating a need for increased flexibility while reducing the number of keys and improving typing speed.

Innovation Solution

Equipping keyboard keys with touch or position sensors to detect finger swipes and taps, allowing for gesture-based input that modifies keystrokes without requiring additional keys like SHIFT, ALT, and CTRL, using capacitive sensors or other technologies to differentiate between taps and swipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional modifier keys (SHIFT, ALT, CTRL) are added to increase keyboard functionality, then the versatility of the keyboard is improved, but the device complexity and number of keys increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard functionalityVSAvoidnumber of keys

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each keyboard key is equipped with position sensors that enable it to perform multiple functions through different gesture types (taps, swipes in different directions, presses). A single key can represent multiple characters and trigger different actions based on the gesture detected, eliminating the need for separate modifier keys and expanding keyboard functionality while reducing the total number of keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to key input by detecting the position of finger contact on the key surface and the direction of swipes. Instead of only detecting whether a key is pressed, the system detects where on the key the finger contacts and which direction the finger moves, creating multiple input states from a single physical key location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more keys are added to handle complex computer functionality, then the adaptability is improved, but the keyboard footprint and area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputer functionality supportVSAvoidkeyboard footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If traditional binary keys are used, then the ease of manufacture is maintained, but the typing speed and user interface intuitiveness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetyping speedVSAvoidkey structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical key switches with position sensors (such as capacitive sensors) that detect finger contact position and motion on the key surface. This substitution enables gesture-based input detection without requiring complex mechanical structures, allowing for faster and more intuitive input methods while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach reduces the keyboard footprint, eliminates the need for additional modifier keys, enhances user interface intuitiveness, and potentially increases typing speed by utilizing existing keys for multiple functions and expanding input possibilities.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive sensors or other technologies to differentiate between taps and swipes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10061510B2Gesture multi-function on a physical keyboard

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A computer keyboard includes position sensors such as capacitive sensors on each of the keys for monitoring positions of fingertips on the keys. A processor receives an indication of contact of a finger on a surface of a key, including an identity of the key and an indication of a position of the contact on the surface. The processor also receives an indication of a motion gesture comprising displacement of the position of the contact on the surface of the key. Using the identity of the key and the indication of the motion gesture, an input from a human operator is determined.