Gyro Input Control for Small Device Usability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller input devices, such as those found in cellular phones, face usability issues due to their size and shape, leading to difficulty in operating multiple keys without making them too small, reduced speed of operation, and the need for constant visual attention to avoid accidental key presses.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using control circuitry with a gyro module, tactile switches, force sensitive resistor, and vibration motor, allowing users to input data by pressing keys and moving their wrists to select characters, converting these gestures into character codes for electronic device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the input device is made smaller to fit in portable devices, then portability is improved, but key size becomes too small making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces motion sensing capabilities that detect wrist movements and hand gestures to dynamically control the on-screen keyboard. This allows the system to adapt to user movements, providing a dynamic input method that overcomes the static limitation of small physical keys while maintaining device portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical key system with a motion-based control system using gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead of relying on physical key presses, the system detects wrist rotations and hand movements to control cursor position and character selection, eliminating the need for large physical keys while improving ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If more keys are placed on a smaller input device, then key quantity is improved, but key size becomes too small increasing error rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds temporal and motion dimensions to the input method. Instead of relying solely on spatial arrangement of keys, the system uses wrist rotation direction and hand movement trajectories to navigate through characters. This multi-dimensional approach allows comprehensive character selection without requiring densely packed keys, thereby maintaining input accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces motion gestures as an intermediary between the user and the keyboard interface. Rather than directly pressing keys, users perform wrist rotations and hand movements that are translated by the motion sensing system into cursor movements and character selections. This intermediary layer reduces direct interaction with small keys while maintaining access to all characters.
3Quantity of substance
If key size is reduced to fit more keys, then key quantity is improved, but operation speed decreases due to accidental presses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses motion pre-qualification where wrist rotations and hand movements must be performed with specific trajectories and durations to register as valid input commands. This preliminary motion requirement acts as a filter that prevents accidental presses while maintaining fast input speed, as intentional gestures are quickly recognized and processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback through visual indicators showing the current cursor position and detected motion gestures. This feedback mechanism allows users to confirm their intended input before finalization, reducing accidental presses while maintaining input speed through quick gesture recognition and response.
4Reliability
If visual attention is required to avoid wrong key presses, then input accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensing system automatically detects and interprets user gestures without requiring visual confirmation. The system self-regulates by detecting the characteristics of intentional movements versus accidental motions, providing accurate input recognition while allowing users to operate the device without visual attention, thereby improving both reliability and 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
Enables efficient and intuitive input on small devices by allowing users to type and control electronic devices using reduced key sets, leveraging muscle memory and tactile feedback for faster operation without needing to visually confirm key presses, applicable to various electronic devices like smartphones and smart TVs.
Implementation Method 1
control circuitry with a gyro module
Implementation Method 2
force sensitive resistor and a vibration motor interact with the control circuitry. The force sensitive resistor is connected to the analog input pin
Implementation Method 3
vibration motor is connected to the digital bus of the microcontroller through a motor controller
Data Source
AI summary
The method and apparatus for input to electronic devices include a control circuit and a gyro module. The control circuit includes a microcontroller, where the microcontroller includes a digital bus, a receiver/transmitter module, a plurality of digital input pins, and an analog input pin. The gyro module is connected to the digital bus. The apparatus further includes a plurality of tactile switches connected to the digital pins. Further, a force sensitive resistor and a vibration motor interact with the control circuit. The force sensitive resistor is connected to the analog input pin of the microcontroller through a voltage divider, and the vibration motor is connected to the digital bus of the microcontroller through a motor controller. The apparatus also includes a communications antenna that is connected to the receiver/transmitter module of the microcontroller through a wireless module. A method includes various steps for inputting into an electronic device.