Hardware Button Interfaces Using Intensity, Duration, and Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces that integrate hardware buttons in electronic devices are often cumbersome, inefficient, and complex, leading to increased device size, weight, and cost, as well as cognitive burden and energy waste, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods that detect and differentiate between various input intensities and movements to perform distinct operations, allowing for more efficient and intuitive use of hardware buttons, reducing the need for frequent switching between software and hardware controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous hardware buttons are integrated into the device, then more control functions are available, but the device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single hardware button to perform multiple different operations based on varying input characteristics. The button can detect different press intensities (light vs. firm presses), different durations (short vs. long presses), and different patterns (single press vs. multiple presses) to trigger different functions, thereby providing diverse control capabilities without adding multiple physical buttons to the device
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous hardware buttons are integrated into the device, then more control functions are available, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single hardware button to perform multiple different operations based on varying input characteristics. The button can detect different press intensities (light vs. firm presses), different durations (short vs. long presses), and different patterns (single press vs. multiple presses) to trigger different functions, thereby providing diverse control capabilities without adding multiple physical buttons to the device
3Area of stationary object
If displayed software controls are used instead of hardware buttons, then device size is reduced, but user interaction becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both hardware and software controls by integrating a physical hardware button with software-based differentiation logic. The hardware button provides tactile feedback and intuitive physical interaction, while the software component analyzes various input characteristics (intensity, duration, pattern) to determine the specific operation, combining the ease of physical interaction with the flexibility of software control
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent switching between software and hardware controls is required, then more functions are accessible, but cognitive burden increases and time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single hardware button to perform multiple different operations based on varying input characteristics. The button can detect different press intensities (light vs. firm presses), different durations (short vs. long presses), and different patterns (single press vs. multiple presses) to trigger different functions, thereby providing diverse control capabilities without adding multiple physical buttons to the device
5Adaptability or versatility
If frequent switching between software and hardware controls is required, then more functions are accessible, but energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single hardware button to perform multiple different operations based on varying input characteristics. The button can detect different press intensities (light vs. firm presses), different durations (short vs. long presses), and different patterns (single press vs. multiple presses) to trigger different functions, thereby providing diverse control capabilities without adding multiple physical buttons to the device
Data Source
AI summary
User interfaces integrating variable hardware inputs are described, including user interfaces that perform different operations in response to presses of different intensities with and without movement, user interfaces that perform different media capture operations based on presses of different lengths with and without movement, user interfaces with controls that can be customized by swiping near a hardware control, user interfaces for media playback with dynamic speed adjustments, and user interfaces that perform adjustments before and after contact with a hardware control ends.