Hand-Customizable Pressure Input for Reduced Fine-Motor Demands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer mice are suboptimal or impractical for users with certain muscular, neurological, or physical disabilities due to difficulties in performing fine motor movements and arm or wrist movements, leading to decreased usability and increased disability.
Innovation Solution
A hand customizable human input device (HC-HID) with a deformable material and embedded pressure sensors that allow users to navigate and interact with computing devices through pressure application, eliminating the need for fine motor movements and arm or wrist actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional computer mouse is used, then navigation and interaction functions are provided, but users with muscular, neurological, or physical disabilities cannot perform fine motor movements or arm/wrist movements required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The input device allows dynamic configuration of button functions through software, enabling users to customize navigation commands according to their specific physical capabilities. The system can adapt to different user needs by reassigning functions to different buttons or pressure levels without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates pressure-sensitive sensors that detect varying levels of pressure applied by the user. By monitoring pressure magnitude, the system can distinguish between different user intentions and trigger appropriate commands, accommodating users who cannot perform precise fine motor movements.
2Ease of operation
If pressure sensors are added to enable alternative input methods, then usability for users with disabilities is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive buttons serve multiple functions: they can detect light pressure for one type of command, firm pressure for another command, and sustained pressure for a third command. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining relatively simple device structure while enabling diverse input options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the button structure with pressure-sensing capability in a single integrated component. The buttons are not merely mechanical actuators but also serve as pressure sensors, merging structural and sensing functions into one element to minimize device complexity.
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 users with disabilities to navigate and operate computing devices effectively without requiring arm or wrist movements, providing a customizable and adaptable input solution for varied user capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensors operatively coupled to the processor and assignable to different navigation commands
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensors operatively coupled to the processor and assignable to different navigation commands
Data Source
AI summary
A human input device can include a processor; memory accessible to the processor; communication circuitry operatively coupled to the processor; pressure sensors operatively coupled to the processor and assignable to different navigation commands communicable via the communication circuitry; and a deformable material disposed over the pressure sensors that, upon deformation, provides for assignment of one or more of the pressure sensors to one or more of the different navigation commands.