Holding Sensors Replace Hardware Buttons

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Solution Overview

Problem

The design of mobile devices is limited by the necessity of hardware buttons and controllers, which restricts thickness reduction and convenience due to their requirement for controlling functions.

Innovation Solution

A method and mobile device utilizing a plurality of holding sensors located on the housing to receive user inputs and execute functions based on touched patterns, allowing for the reduction or removal of hardware buttons and controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hardware buttons and hardware controllers are installed to control device functions, then device functions can be controlled reliably, but device thickness cannot be reduced and convenience is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction control reliabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardware buttons and controllers with a capacitive touch sensor system. The touch sensor detects user inputs through capacitive changes when fingers approach or contact the sensor surface, eliminating the need for physical mechanical buttons while maintaining reliable function control. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical sensing systems enables thickness reduction while preserving control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch sensor serves multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate hardware buttons and controllers. A single touch sensor interface can control various device functions including volume adjustment, application selection, camera operation, and system settings, making the control system more versatile and eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If hardware buttons and hardware controllers are installed to control device functions, then function control is ensured, but device convenience is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction control reliabilityVSAvoiddevice convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensor interface provides dynamic and flexible control compared to fixed hardware buttons. Users can interact with the sensor through various touch patterns including single taps, double taps, long presses, slides, and gestures, allowing the same sensor to respond differently based on the sequence and manner of contact. This dynamic interaction mode enhances convenience and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the interaction parameters from fixed mechanical button presses to variable touch patterns. By detecting different touch sequences, durations, pressures, and gestures, the system can map these varied inputs to different device functions, providing more intuitive and convenient control while maintaining reliable function execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9189030B2Method of handling holding sensors and related mobile device

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 HTC CORP

AI summary

A method for handling a mobile device with a plurality of holding sensors is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a user input via one or more holding sensors of the plurality of holding sensors; and executing a function according to a touched pattern of the one or more holding sensors; wherein the plurality of holding sensors are located on a housing of the mobile device.