Non-conductive Opaque Cover for Touch Sensor Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device covers for touch sensors, such as smartphones and tablets, often fail to provide comprehensive interactivity and protection, as they either do not cover the touch sensor or are not designed to enhance user experience when attached.
Innovation Solution
A non-conductive opaque cover element that can be applied to a device, allowing operation through touch, gestures, and hover inputs, activating a cover operation mode that enables device functionality without requiring removal of the cover, while potentially reducing power consumption by turning off the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is applied to protect the device, then protection against environmental factors is improved, but interactivity with the touch sensor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (cover with openings or transparent portions) that mediates between the protective function and the touch interaction function. The cover acts as a mediator that allows touch signals to pass through while maintaining physical protection, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and interactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented into different regions (openings, transparent portions, opaque portions) that serve different functions. This segmentation allows the cover to provide protection in certain areas while maintaining touch sensor access in other areas, thus resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and operational interactivity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the display is turned off to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but visibility and user interaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the touch sensor's own capability to detect inputs through the cover, eliminating the need for continuous display illumination. The touch sensor serves itself by detecting touches directly through the cover material, allowing the display to remain off while maintaining interactivity, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and user interaction.
3Reliability
If a cover provides comprehensive protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin, flexible cover structure that can comprehensively protect the device while maintaining simplicity. The thin film approach provides adequate protection without the need for complex multi-layer structures, thus resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and structural simplicity.
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
Enables protected and functional operation of devices, such as in rainy conditions, with reduced power consumption and enhanced user interaction through touch and gesture inputs without the need to remove the cover, while maintaining robustness and flexibility in cover operation modes.
Implementation Method 1
a touch sensor of the device. The device is adapted to identify a non-conductive opaque cover element applied to at least part of the touch sensor and to operate via the touch sensor through the non-conductive opaque cover element when identified
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A device comprising a touch sensing element and a processing unit is provided. The device has one or more cover operation modes. The processing unit is adapted to activate one of the cover operation modes of the device when a non-conductive opaque cover element is applied to the device, and the device is adapted to be operated via the touch sensing element through the non-conductive opaque cover element when the cover operation mode of the device is active. A system comprising a device and a cover element is provided. A method for controlling a device comprising a touch sensing element is also provided.