Keyboard-Integrated Magnetic Sensing for Passive User Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user input devices for computing systems often require power, leading to mechanical and electrical failures, and place significant loads on users due to their weight and power consumption, reducing portability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a passive human interface device with a magnet and mechanical linkage, integrated with a sensing system that detects magnetic fields to encode and sense user input, eliminating the need for power and reducing device complexity, weight, and component failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing user input devices are used, then user input can be obtained, but the devices require power leading to mechanical and electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical input devices (keyboards, mice) that require power and complex electronics with a passive magnetic field-based input device. The magnetic field sensing system detects user input without requiring power consumption, thereby improving reliability by eliminating electrical components that can fail.
2Ease of operation
If existing user input devices are used, then user input can be obtained, but the devices place significant loads on users due to weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy mechanical input devices with a lightweight passive magnetic field input device. The magnetic field sensing system can detect user input from a lightweight device, significantly reducing the weight burden on users while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If existing user input devices are used, then user input can be obtained, but the devices have significant device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex mechanical and electrical components from traditional input devices by using a passive magnetic field-based system. Only simple magnetic components and sensing elements are retained, significantly reducing device complexity and the risk of component failures.
4Use of energy by moving object
If passive human interface device with magnet is used, then power consumption is eliminated, but magnetic field sensing complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic fields as an intermediary between the passive input device and the sensing system. This intermediary approach allows power-free operation while the magnetic field sensing technology provides a relatively simple detection mechanism compared to the complexity eliminated from traditional input devices.
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
The system improves portability and usability by reducing mechanical loads on users and minimizing the risk of device failures, while enabling efficient translation of user input into computer commands without the need for power-consuming components.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing element adapted to obtain second user input from the user via a passive human interface device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing computer implemented services using user input are disclosed. To obtain the user input, a passive human interface device may be used. The human interface device may include a magnet that may produce a magnetic field used to discern the user input. The magnet may be mechanically coupled to actuatable portions of the human interface device thereby facilitating both translation and rotation of the magnet responsive to actuations by a user. The translation and rotation of the magnet may be sensed and used to identify user input provided by the user. Sensing elements integrated into a keyboard may be used to obtain user input from the human interface device.