Passive Magnetic Dial Interface for Low-Load Reliable Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user input devices for computing systems impose mechanical loads on users and are prone to mechanical or electrical failures due to their power consumption, affecting portability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A passive human interface device using permanent magnets to encode user input through magnetic field distributions, sensed by a sensing system, which does not require power and reduces mechanical loads on users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing user input devices are used, then user input can be obtained, but mechanical loads are imposed on users and the devices are prone to mechanical or electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The human interface device uses permanent magnets to generate magnetic field distributions that encode user input, eliminating the need for mechanical switches, buttons, or other mechanical components that impose loads on users and are prone to failure. The sensing system detects magnetic field changes rather than mechanical movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The human interface device is designed as a passive device that does not require external power sources. The permanent magnets inherently generate the magnetic field distributions needed for sensing, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating battery compartments, power consumption, and associated failure points.
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing user input devices are used, then user input can be obtained, but the devices require power sources which affect portability
Solution Approach 1:
The human interface device utilizes permanent magnets that inherently generate magnetic fields without requiring external power sources. This eliminates the need for batteries, power management circuits, and associated components, making the device completely passive and significantly reducing its weight while improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces power-consuming mechanical and electronic components with a passive magnetic field generation system. The permanent magnets provide continuous magnetic field generation without energy input, eliminating the weight penalty of power sources while maintaining full functionality for user input detection.
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 passive human interface device improves portability and usability by eliminating the need for power sources and reducing mechanical loads, ensuring consistent operation and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet positioned to rotate and translate with the top portion, the permanent magnet being adapted to generate a magnet field distribution to encode user input received by the human interface device via the forces applied by the user
Implementation Method 2
The sensing system may sense the magnetic field distributions and obtain information reflecting changes in the position and/or orientation of the 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 encode information regarding actuations of the human interface device in magnetic field distributions emanating from the human interface device. The magnetic field distribution may be sensed to identify user input provided by a user of the human interface device. The user input may be used to provide the computer implemented services.