Mouse Foot-Pad Optical Detection for Debris-Resistant Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mouse devices often have mechanical components on the top surface that are prone to debris accumulation, malfunction, and provide a less than ideal user experience.
Innovation Solution
A mouse design with an integrated foot pad that compresses into the housing, using an optical sensor coupled to the foot pad to detect user input, eliminating mechanical components from the top surface and enhancing user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical components are placed on the top surface of the mouse, then user input can be received, but debris accumulation and malfunction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mechanical components from the top surface and relocates them to the bottom surface. The foot pad is positioned at the bottom to contact the surface, while the optical sensor is integrated into the housing to detect foot pad compression, eliminating mechanical parts from the user-interaction zone on the top surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical switch with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical rollers or balls on the top surface, the system uses an optical sensor to detect the compression of the foot pad, substituting mechanical interaction with optical detection to improve reliability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical components are placed on the top surface of the mouse, then user input can be received, but the user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes mechanical components from the top surface where users interact with the device. By placing the foot pad at the bottom and using optical detection, the top surface becomes clean and debris-free, eliminating the harmful accumulation of debris that would occur with mechanical rollers or balls.
3Measurement precision
If the foot pad is integrated with the optical sensor circuit, then synchronized movement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the foot pad and optical sensor circuit into an integrated assembly. The optical sensor is mechanically coupled to the foot pad, allowing them to move together as a unit, which simplifies the overall structure while achieving synchronized movement detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated foot pad-optical sensor assembly performs multiple functions: the foot pad provides tactile feedback and surface contact, while the optical sensor detects compression and movement. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the device architecture.
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 design reduces debris entry, minimizes mechanical failures, and provides a smoother, more reliable user experience by using an optical sensor to detect pressure through the foot pad compression.
Implementation Method 1
a tactile switch configured to generate an optical signal based at least on compression of the active foot pad, and an optical sensor circuit configured to detect the optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The described technology includes a mouse device with a foot pad integrated with an optical sensor circuit for synchronized movement. Implementation of the mouse device include a foot pad configured to movably rest on a surface, a tactile switch configured to be attached to the foot pad, the tactile switch configured to generate an optical signal based at least on compression of the active foot pad, and an optical sensor circuit configured to detect the optical signal, wherein the optical sensor circuit is mechanically coupled to the foot pad.