Unibody Mouse Touch Sensor Segmentation for Uniform Clicking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional unibody mice with a middle pivot for dual button functionality suffer from non-uniform clicking action, high force requirements, accidental activation, and non-intuitive design, limiting their form, feel, and functionality compared to traditional mice with mechanical buttons.

Innovation Solution

A mouse design incorporating touch sensors and force sensors on the surface, a jog ball for multidirectional motion, and an internal switch for button events, allowing for configurable single or multi-button functionality, improved force distribution, and intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a middle pivot is used for dual button functionality in a unibody mouse, then button functionality is improved, but clicking uniformity and operational intuitiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton functionalityVSAvoidclicking uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The top member is divided into multiple independent button zones (first button zone, second button zone, third button zone) instead of using a single middle pivot. Each zone can be independently activated by touch sensors, allowing dual button functionality while maintaining uniform clicking action across different zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical middle pivot system is replaced with an electronic touch sensor system. Touch sensors detect finger contact in different zones and generate corresponding button events, eliminating the non-uniform mechanical pivoting action while preserving multi-button functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a middle pivot is used for dual button functionality, then button versatility is improved, but force requirements and accidental activation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton versatilityVSAvoidaccidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical pivot system that requires high force and causes accidental activation is replaced with electronic touch sensors. The touch sensors detect finger contact through capacitance changes, requiring minimal force and eliminating accidental activation caused by mechanical instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The activation mechanism changes from mechanical force detection (pivot movement) to electrical parameter detection (capacitance change). This allows for more precise control of activation thresholds and reduces sensitivity to unintended forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If touch sensors are used instead of mechanical buttons, then elegance and unibody form factor are improved, but functionality is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunibody form factorVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The top member surface is designed with multiple button zones (first, second, and third button zones) that can be independently activated. This allows the sleek unibody surface to provide single-button, dual-button, or multi-button functionality depending on which zones are touched, enhancing versatility without compromising the elegant form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances user experience with uniform and intuitive button actions, reduced accidental activations, and increased functionality by using touch and force sensors to differentiate clicks and gestures, while maintaining a sleek, unibody form factor.

Implementation Method 1

An optical sensor may alternatively used to track the movement of the mouse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical tracking: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a first touch sensor configured to sense the presence of an object at a first region of the outer member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS7710397B2Mouse with improved input mechanisms using touch sensors

Publication Date: 2010.05.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user.